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ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS


Distinguished and highly experienced Ethiopian and International experts working in the areas of sustainable agriculture, rural development, food security, natural resources management, biodiversity and rural energy participated in the Workshop held in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. There was high-level commitment among all participants and valuable recommendations were made for follow-up activities. These recommendations are now of great interest to bilateral and multilateral funding agencies working in Ethiopia.

Many people contributed to this highly memorable and successful Workshop. Most notable was Dr Gete Zeleke, Director of the Amhara Regional Agricultural Research Institute (ARARI), who was the first to welcome the idea of this Workshop and provided able leadership. Dr Gete and ARARI were also excellent hosts while we were in Bahir Dar. Dr Solomon Abate, Manager of the Sustainable Land Forum (local NGO) was also one of the core members of the organizing team and worked tirelessly for the success of the Workshop. Dr Gete and Dr Solomon were delightful colleagues to work with and we are most thankful for all their efforts.

I would also like to express my gratitude to Prof. Hans Hurni, Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), University of Berne and the Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) North-South, University of Berne, Switzerland, who also sponsored this Workshop. I am also grateful to Mr. Wolter Lusigi, Programme Manager, the Global Environment Facility (GEF) for his support to the Workshop as well as his consistent encouragement for formulation of projects that would be eligible for funding under Sustainable Land Management. Special appreciation goes to Dr Ben Sonneveld, Centre for World Food Studies (SOW-VU), the Netherlands, who participated in the Workshop, and to SOW-VU which contributed financially towards the dissemination of the publication. The support and the facilitating role of Mr George Mburathi, FAO Representative in Ethiopia, and the FAO field staff in Addis Ababa were valuable.

At FAO, I would like to thank Mr Jeff Tschirley, Chief, Environment and Natural Resources Service (SDRN), for his unwavering support. Mr El-Hadji Sène, Director of Forest Resources Division and Mr Parviz Koohafkan, Chief, Land and Plant Nutrition Management, have strongly supported and sponsored this Workshop. I also extend my appreciation to my colleague Mr Gustavo Best, Senior Energy Coordinator, for his continued support and active participation and contribution to the Workshop. The assistance of Ms Stephanie Vertecchi in the preparation of these proceedings has been valuable and I thank her.

Finally, I am grateful to all the Workshop participants for such dedicated work that contributed to its success.


Alemneh Dejene
Senior Officer
Environment and Natural Resources Service
Research, Extension and Training Division
Sustainable Development Department
Food and Agriculture Organization of the UN


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