Integrated natural resources management and its implications to agrobiodiversity conservation in the highlands of Eastern Africa

The highlands of eastern Africa represent one of versions of complex interactions between land-users and their environments. The farmers operate in complex environments with diverse enterprises. Struggles to improve their livelihoods are at the expense agro-ecosystems sustainability, including the intensively cultivated highlands (Mowo et al. 2002). The region has unsustainable use of natural resources due to high population, poor resource governance and restricted livelihood options. Agro-biodiversity conservation in the region Agro-biodiversity involves biodiversity resources used within agriculture (Attah- Krah, 2006, 10). Most biodiversity is managed by farmers where by 99% of tropical biodiversity resources are in human-dominated landscapes (Garrity, 2004). These farmers are architects of the agro-biodiversity through diverse practices, interests, skills, and needs. Its management in agricultural landscapes has received recognition and attention (Stocking et al. 2003, 7). Eastern Africa is renowned for its high natural biodiversity having a wealth of flora and fauna and rich natural biophysical diversity (Kaihura et al. 1999). There is a large farming systems diversity, human societies, and ways of managing external pressures on land-use, making agro-biodiversity a basic component of sustainable land management, production and food security. Integrated NRM approach in the region African Highlands Initiative (AHI) is an eco-regional programme mandated to develop methodologies for integrated natural resource management (INRM) and their institutionalization in eastern Africa. The AHI worked in Areka and Ginchi (Ethiopia) Kabale and Kapchorwa (Uganda) and Lushoto (Tanzania) (Figure 1). The INRM enhanced adaptive management capacity of farmers to manage their resource (Stroud 2003, 188). Agro-biodiversity is one of principal components of NR within agricultural systems (Atta-Krah, 2006, 16). This paper demonstrates how INRM practiced by farmers has enhanced biodiversity conservation at landscape level.

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