Specific geological and climatic conditions of the East African Rift significantly influence economic and sociodemographic development of southern Ethiopia. The agriculture in the region is vulnerable due to unstable geological bedrock, climate and excessive and improper use of natural resources. A detailed knowledge of geologic environment – especially lithological fill, geologic structure, hydrological proportions, chemical composition of various soil types or geological risks – is fundamental precondition for successful and financially effective interventions in the problematic areas. The project will consist of two phases. First phase, which has already begun, is focused on geoscientific mapping, analysis of trends in the land cover and land use development and creation of three geoscientific maps at a scale of 1:100 000 for each concerned region (Gedeo, Sidama, Gambela, Oromia). The second phase will consist of the zoning and landscape plans preparation and appropriate measures for ensuring sustainable landscape management will be recommended.