Research Article
Assessment and Characterization of the Traditional Parkland Agroforestry Practices in Mid and Lowlands of Bale: In the Case of Goro and Ginnir Districts
Hirpa Abebe*,
Bikila Mengistu,
Wondmagegn x Mengistu,
Zerihun Dibaba,
Baca Bultuma
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 2, June 2024
Pages:
32-45
Received:
8 January 2024
Accepted:
26 January 2024
Published:
17 April 2024
Abstract: Agroforestry parklands are playing an important role, through trees and shrubs providing multiple products and important long-term ecological benefits. Purposive sampling methods were applied to select districts, PAs and farmers which mostly used parkland agroforestry practices. Based on information delivered from informal assessment result, formal survey was done with selected 84 HHHs (sample size) for the study purposes. Based on the existences of long lived parkland agroforestry practice and associated challenges four PAs from Ginir and Goro districts of Bale Zones were selected purposively with assistance of district agriculture office expertise and DAs. Survey results showed the presence of 17 woody species of trees and shrubs representing eleven (11) families at the study areas. Of seventeen (17) woody plant species retained/planted and managed on parklands, 82.4% were native. Fabaceae was the most dominant woody species family which accounted about 41.2% of the total number of species recorded. The Croton macrostachyus Hochst., Faidherbia albida, Cordia africana Lam., Acacia abyssinica Hochst., Junperus procera Hochst and Acacia species were the most frequently observed multipurpose woody species in the study area. Almost all of the respondents did practise different types of management activities or practices for the woody species they owned in parkland of the study areas. This finding revealed that pollarding (33.45%), coppicing (21.08%), branch pruning (35.56) and the rest thinning and protection woody species management practices were applied to the scattered trees on croplands of the study areas. On other side, respondents stated that the major challenges for the improvement of parkland agroforestry practices in the study area were instability of rain fail or drought (34.52%) and shortage of farmlands (21.43%). The finding of this study showed that agricultural landscapes (Parkland agroforestery practices) were the home/host of reasonable number of native woody species flora conservation or it’s almost the remnants of the natural vegetation. Therefore, further need for more comprehensive analysis of the multiple benefits and services provided by parkland trees located on farmlands or the interaction effects of the agroforestery components on soil fertility improvement, crop yields and quality in the future.
Abstract: Agroforestry parklands are playing an important role, through trees and shrubs providing multiple products and important long-term ecological benefits. Purposive sampling methods were applied to select districts, PAs and farmers which mostly used parkland agroforestry practices. Based on information delivered from informal assessment result, formal...
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Research Article
Introducing and Evaluation of Conservation Agriculture in Dry Land of Borana, Oromia, Southern Ethiopia
Fenan Tola*
,
Isihak Lolo
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 2, June 2024
Pages:
46-53
Received:
18 March 2024
Accepted:
8 April 2024
Published:
17 May 2024
Abstract: The adoption of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices could help smallholder farmers in Ethiopia enhance food security and appropriately manage climate change impacts. Conservation agricultural practice is intended to conserve, improve and make more efficient use of natural resources. However, despite these potential benefits, CSA is only practiced in some areas of Ethiopia and has not been sufficiently adopted by smallholder farmers. Therefore, this experiment was intended to improve the production and productivity of maize through different moisture conservation practices and to determine and recommend the best moisture conservation practices for agro-pastoralists in Yabello District, Borana Zone. The field experiment was conducted at Qobo, Qadale and Colksa Kebeles of Yabello districts for two consecutive years, from 2019 to 2020, the main cropping seasons. The experiments had four treatments (Runoff diversion, Furrow, Runoff diversion plus Furrow and Control) laid out in a randomized complete block design (RCBD) of three replications. The analysis of variance showed that there was a significant difference among treatments in days to maturity, cob diameter, cob length, hundred seed weight and grain yield in all cropping seasons and locations. The highest grain yield was obtained from furrow with diversion structure treatment (5.83, 5.59, 4.2 t/ha), followed by diversion structure (5.51, 4.84, 3.9 t/ha) at Qadale, Colkasa and Qobo Kebeles, respectively. The lowest grain yield was recorded for the control (farmers practice) treatment (3.56, 3.05 and 3.36 ton/ha) at Qadale, Colkasa and Qobo Kebeles, respectively. In all sites, moisture conservation treatments (furrow plus diversion, diversion and furrow) have yield advantages of 2.27 t/ha (40.68%), 2.54 t/ha (45.44%), 0.84 t/ha (20%), 1.95 t/ha (35.39%), 1.79 t/ha (36.98%), 0.54 t/ha (13.84%) and 1.88 t/ha (34.55%), 2.02 t/ha (39.84%) and 0.36 t/ha (9.43%) more than farmer’s practices, respectively. Therefore, moisture conservation practices are recommended for optimum production of maize in moisture stress areas of Yabello District, Borana Zone.
Abstract: The adoption of Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) practices could help smallholder farmers in Ethiopia enhance food security and appropriately manage climate change impacts. Conservation agricultural practice is intended to conserve, improve and make more efficient use of natural resources. However, despite these potential benefits, CSA is only pract...
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Research Article
Spatial Analysis of Food Crop Diversification in Busia County-Kenya: Implications on Household Food Security
Issue:
Volume 2, Issue 2, June 2024
Pages:
54-68
Received:
25 April 2024
Accepted:
15 May 2024
Published:
30 May 2024
Abstract: Food insecurity is a major problem in Busia County as studies show that 54 percent of households face food insufficiency and child malnutrition. This problem is compounded by small land holdings per household, with just 155,990 acres under food crops. Studies that have been done in the County to show the major food crops that are cultivated, however, no single one has been done showing the variations of these food crops within regions, while it is well known that diversity in terms of space has a bearing in food security at household level. This research sought to find out how food crops are diversified within space and its implications on household food security. Mixed design approach was used (descriptive and correlational). Nine research assistants were involved to collect data in the cropping season using interview schedules and observation schedules. Primary data was collected in one cropping season using interview and observation schedules. Gibbs and Martins Index of crop diversification was applied to determine crop diversification. Household Dietary Diversity Score (HDDS) was used to determine food security status. Multi-stage mixed sampling techniques involving purposive, simple random stratified proportionate was used. Qualitative data was used to address research questions while quantitative data addressed the hypotheses. The results showed that there was a wide range of food crops grown in the County with cereals taking the largest portion while oils and miscellaneous crops had the lowest acreage. The study further revealed that Busia County had household food security index of 3.52 in the range of 1 to 6. It also found no statistically significant difference in regional diversification of food crops (p= .126). Finally, it revealed a very low negative correlation (r= -.080) with an insignificant relationship (p= .13) between crop diversification and household food security.
Abstract: Food insecurity is a major problem in Busia County as studies show that 54 percent of households face food insufficiency and child malnutrition. This problem is compounded by small land holdings per household, with just 155,990 acres under food crops. Studies that have been done in the County to show the major food crops that are cultivated, howeve...
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