Socioeconomic contributions of small-scale private urban tree nurseries in Gondar and Bahirdar Cities

Abstract

There is a growing interest to understand and establishment of urban tree nursery in Ethiopia and the horn of Africa. Socioeconomic contributions of urban tree nurseries, which are vital economic activities in major cities of Ethiopia in general and particularly in Bahirdar and Gondar cities are not adequately studied and well documented. Therefore, this study aims to evaluate socioeconomic contribution of urban small-scale tree nurseries and to evaluate the financial profitability of small-scale tree nurseries. Both qualitative and quantitative data were from primary and secondary source using urban tree nursery owner’s survey, key informant interview and focused group discussion Qualitative data was analyzed descriptively, while financial analysis was conducted for quantitative data. The result revealed that urban tree seedling production was established recently government-owned land and handled by both male and female. On average 18920 ± 15990 and 15464 ± 13363 seedlings were produced per annum per individual in Bahir Dar and Gondar cities, respectively. Urban tree seedling producer in Gondar and Bahirdar generates an annual net profit of 338377–810183 ETB birr. Small-scale nurseries maintain the livelihoods of owners while creating permanent job opportunity to 1–2 jobless individuals per nursery site in both study cities. Generally, the result confirms urban nursery seedling production was profitable and potential business enterprise in the cities. The finding of the research is expected to contribute for the development of nursery expansion to the nursery owner. However, shortage of land for establishments of the nursery is constraining seedling production in the study areas. Therefore, actions such setting set land, during town planning is recommended to engage new entrepreneurs are some of the actions to be taken to strengthen the sector’s development.