Agriculture & Forestry, Vol. 59. Issue 3: 75-89, 2013, Podgorica 75 UDC (UDK) 630*26(63) Aklilu AGIDIE, Belayneh AYELE, Alemayehu WASSIE, Kiros M. HADGU, Ermias AYNEKULU, Jeremias MOWO 1 AGROFORESTRY PRACTICES AND FARMERS’ PERCEPTION IN KOGA WATERSHED, UPPER BLUE NILE BASIN, ETHIOPIA SUMMARY Agroforestry has made tremendous strides in recent years, but many challenges remain in-terms of its application. The objective of this study was to describe the existing agroforestry practices in relation to species richness and ecological significance, to know farmer’s perception, techniques of management of woody trees and to assess socio-economic potential and constraints of agroforestry in North-western Ethiopia. The study was carried out at farm- landscape, homestead levels, woodlot and grazing areas. At farm level, 20 plots of 100 m x 100 m each and at homestead level, 20 plots each having an area of 10 m x 10 m each were selected using simple random sampling technique. Result indicates that on-farm tree density ranged from 21-127 trees ha -1 and the existing fragmented landholding possession affects the intensification of agroforestry while around homesteads there is a mix of animals, woody trees, food crops and fruit trees which composes an incredible amount of biodiversity. Agroforestry technologies should be widely distributed and promoted through farmers’ participation to provide more options for livelihood improvement. Key words: agroforestry practices; diversity; on-farm; farmer, trees/shrubs, home garden. INTRODUCTION In the context of climate change, increasing population, deforestation, reduced landholdings and declining soil productivity, Ever Green Agriculture is emerging as an affordable and accessible science-based solution that will help smallholders protect and enrich soils, increase food production, adapt to climate change and reduce greenhouse gas emissions (Garrity et al., 2009). The challenge of spreading the knowledge and uptake of evergreen agriculture and other “climate smart” agriculture practices is being taken on as a priority by regional governance bodies in Africa (Garrity, and Verchot, 2008). Deforestation causes loss of biodiversity and environmental degradation. Population pressure is the main cause for the depletion of forest resources which 1 Aklilu Agidie, (corresponding author: [email protected]), Belayneh Ayele, Bahir Dar University, College of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia; Alemayehu Wassie, Gafat Endowments, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia; Kiros M. Hadgu, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), P.O.Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia; Ermias Aynekulu, Jeremias Mowo, World Agroforestry Centre (ICRAF), Nairobi, Kenya.
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frequency abundance, relative abundance, dominance, relative dominance and
Important Value Index (IVI) %
Agroforestry Practices in Koga Watershed, Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia
85
Table 5. Pearson correlation results of tree species richness index with the
suggested factors
Factors Species richness
Wealth status 0.84**
Farm land size 0.80**
Age of household head 0.47**
Number of families 0.30**
Sex of household head -0.14ns
Household head education level 0.14ns
**,* =Correlation is significant at the P<0.01, P< 0.05 level respectively. ns= not significant
Farmers' perception on agroforestry trees
Opinions regarding the effects of trees/shrubs on crops vary as viewed by
some farmers. Trees/shrubs were not considered important especially for cereals
particularly for finger millet and pulses (faba bean) since they are assumed to
decreases yields. Therefore, these crops are usually not intercropped with
trees/shrubs in crop lands. The intercropping of trees/shrubs with crops such as
barley, wheat, maize and coffee is important. Consequently, farmers’ used to
retain the naturally growing trees/shrubs on farmlands. 58.3% of respondents
indicated that planting trees on farmland has no significant problem on the crops.
Majority of the sample respondents know the role of agroforestry in food
security and soil fertility improvements and filling the gap of forest product
demand. However, all farmers who are aware of the agroforestry practices and
technologies did not practice agroforestry. Decision to plant agroforestry trees
may be influenced by different bio-physical and socio-economic factors. A study
by Mekoya et al, (2007) showed that fodder production is affected by bio-
physical and socio-economic factors other than awareness and perception of
values. Hasan and Alam (2006) also reported that, agroforestry has both
biophysical and socio-economic roles wherever it is practiced. Farmers in the
study area perceived each of the packages and the species used differently.
Accordingly farmers in the study area appreciated the provision of multipurpose
tree like Sesbania sesban. Perception of farmers about agroforestry technologies
is associated with the presence of fruit trees and woodlots which are income
generating sources. This could be justified by the income they earn from sale of
agroforestry products (fruit and eucalyptus tree poles) which ranges from US$
111 to 1,388 annually as explained by the key informants.
Socio-economic importance of agroforestry
Agroforestry practices in general have an important role in the watershed
both for food and wood security and the conservation of the environment. For
example, Eucalyptus spp and Cordia africana are used by farmers as a
Agidie et al.
86
"guaranty" which can provide cash income and used as risk aversion alternative
during poor rainy seasons. Accordingly, farmers prefer Eucaluptus
Camaldulensis for its multipurpose uses (poles, fuel and charcoal, construction,
furniture making and farm implements) and its contribution to income
generation. Farm gate price of Eucalyptus in the area is US$ 1.1 /log and if
farmers transport by themselves and sell it at the nearby town market, the price
goes up to USD 1.4/log.
Croton macrostachys is useful for its fuel, fence, soil improvement and
shade while Cordia africana is preferable for its lumber, farm equipment, fodder
and fruits. Consequently, they are widely found on farmlands, homesteads and
farm boundary and it has no any harmful effect to crops. Ficus ovate is mostly
found around homesteads and used as live fences and fodder. But there is some
conflict between agriculture and woodlots. For instance, there is a controversy
about eucalyptus that completion for nutrient and moisture is high, leading to
poor undergrowth and low crop yields.
Opportunities for agroforestry expansion
Respondents indicated that there were opportunities for agroforestry
expansion in the area. This includes the presence of market availability for wood
products (38%), availability of extension agents at each site (28%), and effective
seedling distribution (23%). Fekadu (2009) observed that market demand
motivated farmers to plant trees on their farms.
Major constraints of agroforestry development in the study area
During focus group discussion, farmers identified and listed a number of
problems currently limiting agroforestry development in the area. Ranking of
these constraints was done with the farmers using the direct matrix ranking
technique. Scarcity of arable land was ranked the first followed by open free
grazing (Table 6).
Table 6. Major problems of Agroforestry identified in the study area Major problems Total Score Rank
Scarcity of arable land 22 1st
Free grazing 11 2nd
Shortage of seedlings 6 3rd
Pest (Termite) 5 4th
During free grazing cattle, goat, sheep and equines damage young tree
seedlings and new emerging shoots. Some farmers prefer to plant trees around
their home to protect them from the livestock by family members. Limited
supply of seedlings for indigenous trees species was the third factor constraining
agroforestry expansion. Increased demand for tree seedlings arise from
increasing demand for different purposes. Termite damage is also a major
problem in the watershed for forest related developments. Termites live and feed
on dead wood but sometimes attack living parts of mature trees and causing
serious damage.
Agroforestry Practices in Koga Watershed, Upper Blue Nile Basin, Ethiopia
87
CONCLUSION
The preceding analysis showed that the main purpose of the study was to
provide a practical framework for the synthesis and analysis of information about
existing practices and the development of new and promising agroforestry
technologies. Accordingly, homestead agroforestry practice is widely practiced.
Farmers have their own traditional way of integrating tree-crop-livestock on their
farm lands. Scattered trees on farm lands and pasture lands, boundary planation,
homegarden, live fence and woodlot are commonly used.
There was variation among farmers in agroforestry practicing. This has
occurred due to variation in farmers’ perception, farming system, and land
holding size. The inventory result of this study also revealed that there was
variation in tree density of the packages practiced across the study sites due to
difference in access of seedling and land size allotted for the agroforestry
packages.
Social acceptability of agroforestry is closely linked to the economic
feasibility of the system, the integration of tree planting into the traditional
farming system and social acceptability relied to sustainability of the practice.
Furthermore, the availability of extension service and the potential of direct
benefit of wood products were contributed for acceptance of agroforestry
practices.
Challenges in the area which hindered the expansion of agroforestry
packages were less productivity, small farm size, scarcity of arable land, free
grazing, and shortage of variety of tree seedlings which needs strong strategy and
enforcement. However, there are good opportunities for expansion of
agroforestry in the study area such as the market availability for wood products
and availability of extension agents.
Participatory domestication of Ficus ovate, nitrogen fixing trees, fruit tree
species, promoting sustainable agroforestry technologies such as community
empowerment through awareness creation and education on need for agroforestry
land use systems, generation of agroforestry technologies and demonstration
them are still important in the study area.
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
We would like to thank GIZ for covering the field research cost of the
study. Our sincere appreciation goes to Yismaw Wuletaw for his invaluable
support in field practical work by arranging the program and transportation.
Staffs of Mecha District Agricultural Offices are also acknowledged for their
help during data collection.
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Aklilu AGIDIE, Belayneh AYELE, Alemayehu WASSIE,
Kiros M. HADGU, Ermias AYNEKULU, Jeremias MOWO
AGRO-ŠUMARSKE PRAKSE I PERCEPCIJE POLJOPRIVREDNIKA U
PODSLIVU KOGA, SLIV GORNJEG NILA, ETIOPIJA
SAŽETAK Agro šumarstvo je napravilo ogroman pomak u prethodnom periodu, ali i
dalje postoje brojni izazovi u primjeni. Cilj ovog rada je da opiše postojeće agro-
šumarske prakse sa posebnim osvrtom na bogatsvo vrsta i njihov ekološki značaj,
percepciju poljoprivrednika, tehnike upravljanja šumama, kao i procjenu socio-
ekonomskog potencijala i ograničenja poljoprivrede i šumarstva u sjeveroistočnoj
Etiopiji. Istraživanje je obavljeno na nivou domaćinstva na gazdinstvima i to na
površina pod šumama i pašnjacima. Na nivou gazdinstava odabrano je 20 parcela
dimenzija 100 m x 100 m, 20 parcela od dimenzija 10 m x 10 m, koristeći
tehniku nasumičnog odabira. Rezultati ukazuju da se gustina sadnje na farmi
kretala od 21-127 stabala po hektaru, a postojeća usitnjenost posjeda utiče na
intenzifikaciju agro-šumarstva. Agro-šumarske tehnologije treba da budu široko
zastupljene i promovisane kroz učešće poljoprivrednika, radi poboljšanja uslova