Village breathes easier thanks to carbon project

A community reforestion project over the mountain of Abala Longena Gamosalwa is flourishing after four years. The Humbo Farmers Managed Natural Regeneration Project (FMNR) which operates over 2,728 hectares of land through a Clean Development Mechanism is the first of its kind in Africa and the third largest project in the world after China and Moldova. It is estimated to sequestrate 803,395t of CO2 in the first thirty years. 

Beyond sequestrating CO2, the FMNR project is expected to benefit the community at large in two ways: from the sale of carbon sequestration and the sale of forestry products.  With regard to carbon sale, the local community will be paid about 700,000 USD in the first 10 years from the World Bank for sequestration of CO2. As to the sale of forestry products, the community will sell half of the forest in the 11th year. The other half of the forest will be sold in 21 years. This process will continue every 11 years.

The Humbo FMNR is totally reforested. Wild animals that deserted the area have begun coming back to the reforested mountain. The flooding that used to start from the mountain and erode the farmland and demolish the property of the community has minimized. 

Thirty-year-old Atlaye Loha, who resides at the foot of the mountain is a living witness of this truth. He says, “Years before this project launched, the flood that was pouring from the mountain was taking away our crops. The flood was also entering our home and destroying our properties. But today, thanks to World Vision, that sort of flooding is halted. Our villages are no longer overwhelmed by flooding.  Our crops are safe. Our farm land fertility has increased by two-fold.”

“The project has given me opportunities in pruning and seedling plantation. Through the income, I am able to improve my family life.“

The project has opened seasonal job opportunities including seedling plantations, coppice reduction and pruning activities. Atlaye is one of the people who have had access to this opportunity. He says, “The project has given me opportunities in pruning and seedling plantation. Through the income, I am able to improve my family life.“

The community is also benefiting from the removed suckers, deformed branches, and grasses growing in the forest. Atlaye says, “We use the grass for our livestock through a cut and carry system. We also utilize the grass for building thatched houses.  People who have no cattle mow the grass and sell it. We use the removed suckers, deformed branches for firewood.”

When the mountain was enclosed for the purpose of reforestation, a mitigation plan was prepared for people who might be negatively affected by the enclosure. People were provided with inputs like ploughing oxen, poultry, cows, apiculture and sewing machines so that they could improve their family life.

Balta Minamo, 50, was one of the community members who was at risk as a result of the enclosure. He was leading his family life by collecting fire and making charcoals from the mountain. In fact he has a hectare of land, but he rented it by 700 Birr for five years. 

Through the project budget, he took training on sewing garments for two months and was provided with a sewing machine. In a less than a year, he has worked very hard and bought a ploughing ox. In the same year, he repaid 700 Birr and took back the hectare of land that he contracted for five years. 

“My life has greatly improved,” happily explains Balta. “Previously, I was hardly feeding my family collecting firewood and making charcoal from the mountain. But today, my life is different. I also collect a good profit from my sewing business.” 

Through the sewing business, he has bought a cow and a sheep. The cow is pregnant and will give birth in three months time. He said that when the cow gives birth, he will consume part of the milk for his family and the rest will be sold.