The Assessment of agroforestry practices in Buno Bedele and Ilu Abba Bora zones of Oromia region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Agroforestry practices are considered as one of the major sources of food and income to meet the needs and the wellbeing of the rural communities. This study was conducted in Buno Bedele and Ilu Abba Bora zones, with the objective to identify and assess agroforestry practices, importance, constraints and farmers’ perception on the existing agroforestry practices in study area.  Accordingly, 3 districts from each zone and a total of 12 Kebeles (2 Kebeles each from 6 districts) were selected purposely. A total of 299 household were selected for the survey. Semi-structured questionnaire data was generated by conducting household survey, key informant interviews, and direct field observations were applied. Based on the respondent’s response  across both zones, the results of this study have shown that there were existing agroforestry practices covering Homegardens (96 %), Coffee based agroforestry practice (91.3), Fruit trees based agroforestry  practice (86.6%), woodlots (65.6%), windbreak/shelterbelts (62.5%), Trees on rangeland (57.2%), Life fencing (53.8%), Parkland agroforestry (43.1%), Taungya (26.4%) and Alley cropping (16.7%) in the study area. The major Importance of agroforestry practices were income generation, regulation of climate effects, soil improvements, used for shade, food human and livestock feed, proper land use, wood for construction, fuel wood and timber. Impacts on wild animals, insect pest and diseases, competition of trees with crop (i.e. shading effect), shortage of land for tree planting, lack of capital, lack of knowledge, taking long time for profit, lack of seed accessibility and shortage of labor were the major constraints recorded in the study areas. Majority of respondents have strongly agreed with the benefits of the existing agroforestry practices such as increased farm income, improved soil fertility and conserved soil and water, saved time on collecting fodder and fuel wood from the forest and improved the environmental conditions. The respondents in study area have shown positive attitude towards the existing agroforestry practices such as planting of trees like Albizia gummifera (78.2 %), Cordia africana (67.9%) and Croton macrostachyus (63.2%) were the most common trees that dominated the study areas. Albizia gummifera (67.2%) and Cordia africana (61.9%) also were most preferred trees by farmers in field. Avocado (91.3%), Banana (79.6%) and Mango (61.9%) were the most dominant fruit trees/shrubs, while Maize (95%), Coffee (91.3%), Teff (76.6%), Chat (65.9%) and Sorghum (52.8%) were the most dominant crops. Cows, Oxen, Calves, Chicken were the most dominant livestock categories. The study recommends further studies have to be made on positive trees/shrubs selection, management and introducing new agroforestry practices and manage the exist agroforestry practice in the study areas.