Note from the Editor

It is often said “to publish is to live forever”. Although nothing earthly is everlasting, the statement is meant to call attention to the “continuity thesis”. In the history of ideas, there was no radical discontinuity between the intellectual development of the  middle ages and the developments in our modern world.

The Ethiopian Electronic Journal for Innovation and Technology Foresight (Ee-JRIF) is dedicated to serve the Ethiopian scientific community to publish their high quality scientific work. Its main task is to function as a knowledge database and resource for science and technological developments in Ethiopia. Ee-JRIF is a multidisciplinary electronic journal freely accessible to wide range of readers.

On behalf of the Editorial Team I would like to take this opportunity to express my gratitude to all Ethiopian scientists who chose  the Ee-JRIF  to publish their original article and to the many distinguished experts (Ethiopians and foreign nationals)  who devoted their  valuable time  to  review  the submitted  manuscripts.
In this first issue of Agriculture and Forestry, a short communication on the evaluation of the accomplishments of a 30 years old Ethiopian flora project and the great news of the establishment of the new Gullelei botanical garden is presented by Dr. Mesfin Desta. The Botanic garden is the only of its kind in Ethiopia Therefore, having been convinced that the establishment is a model concept for demonstration of   biodiversity and preservation of natural resources in the country, Ee-JRIF pleased to publish the news in its first issue of Agriculture and Forestry.

The article by Mohammed Chilalo and Freerk Wiersum provides insight on the role of non-timber forest products for poverty reduction and forest conservation in Ethiopia, valuable information for effective land use and support policy for sustainable development in the Ethiopian rural community.  The article by Anteneh Desta stresses on the need for immediate intervention with forest conservation measures to save the dwindling elephant population in Ethiopia. Dr. Tesfaye Teshome’s contribution  on pine Turpentine documents the results of investigations of the resin producing capacity of Pinus  patula trees  and the influence of  rainfall, temperature, size and age of individual tapped trees on turpentine oil production, a natural forest product of diverse potential uses.

At last, Ee-JRIF is honored to publish Dr. Demel Teketay Fanta’s profile. Dr Fanta is a distinguished scientist and mentor who won prestigious national and international awards for his outstanding contribution in Forestry research and development in Ethiopia. The detailed profile of Dr.Fanta is presented under the section profile of inspiring people.

In conclusion I would like to take this opportunity and ask all Ethiopian scientists to do their best to keep Ee-JRIF vibrant.

Yeshitila Degefu
On behalf of the Editorial Team