Evaluation of Rural Farmer Trainings & Ecological Restoration Programs in the Ethiopian Highlands

Abstract

ADHENO Integrated Rural Development Association is an Ethiopian non-governmental organization (NGO) that implements rural development programs aimed at improving subsistence farmer livelihoods and rehabilitating soil, native plant biodiversity, and other environmental resources in the North Shewa Zone. In this evaluation, we studied the impacts of ADHENO’s farmer training and area closure programs. We used a household survey, propensity score matching analysis, and time-series satellite imagery analysis to evaluate farmer trainings. We used ecological plot sampling in area closures and control areas (sites selected for comparison with vegetation in area closures) to evaluate the area closure program.