The papers presented at the workshop dealt with a wide array of topics related to land management in the highlands of Tigray. Presentations on the objectives, activities and database of the project, and on the performance of the first regional Five-year Development Plan (1995-99) and the stipulations of the second Five-year Development Plan (2000-2005) set the stage for careful scrutiny of and deliberations on the findings of the subsequent presentations. The subsequent papers reported results on the causes and implications of agricultural change and land management; the status and determinants of soil fertility; land use, land transactions and impact of tenure security on land investment; policies and institutions for livestock development and sustainable land use; community woodlot and grazing land management; comparative analysis of community and private tree plantations; the economic return to and impacts of policies affecting land management; and the role of extension in sustainable land management in the region.

Soil erosion, nutrient depletion, and soil moisture stress are severe interrelated problems of land degradation in the highlands of Tigray. Land management is, therefore, a key problem area in achieving sustainable agricultural development in the region. While the effect of proximate causes of land degradation (e.g. cultivation of steep slopes, low vegetation cover, erodible soils, burning of dung and crop residues, declining fallow periods) is relatively well understood, the effect of underlying causes (e.g. population pressure, poverty, limited farmer knowledge of integrated soil, and water management measures) is not well known. Government policies and programs can influence farmers' land management decisions through their effect on the underlying causes of land degradation.

Policymakers face the challenge of identifying and implementing appropriate policies and programs to mitigate the problem of land degradation and help achieve sustainable agricultural development. Due to the diverse agricultural and natural resource conditions that exist in the highlands of Tigray, it is unlikely that a 'one-size-fits-all' set of policies will work under all circumstances. Policies may not be developed to suit every possible situation. However, it may be important to identify appropriate policies and programs for different 'development pathways' (common patterns of change in livelihood strategies), which may have different comparative advantages as determined by their agricultural potential, market access and population density. For example, in areas with high agricultural potential (high rainfall or irrigation, and good soils) and high market access, intensification of cereal crop production using high levels of external inputs and expansion of perishable cash crops may be the two development pathways of greatest potential. In less-favored areas with low agricultural potential and further away from markets, a development pathway based on improved livestock productivity through improved management of grazing lands and integrated natural resource management may be more beneficial. The policy options for different development pathways may be different. The purpose of the project was, therefore, to identify and assess alternative policy, program, and institutional options for sustainable land management and help policymakers in the region to implement the appropriate options.

To order a workshop summary paper, please fill out an online order form, email ifpri-ept@cgiar.org or send requests to Environment and Production Technology Division, IFPRI, 2033 K Street, N.W., Washington, D.C. 20006, U.S.A.