Assessment of Traditional Agroforestry Practices, Benefits and Constraints: The Case of West Hararghe Zone, Oromia National Regional State, South-eastern Ethiopia

Abstract

A study was conducted in west Hararghe zone with the main objectives of understanding various traditional Agroforestry practices and to identify reasons behind practicing and to prioritize major constraints related to traditional Agroforestry practices. (18) Peasant associations in 6 rural districts were selected by multistage sampling in which 600 household heads were selected using random sampling techniques. Qualitative data were generated by conducting household survey interviews, focus group discussions, key informant interview, and direct field observations were applied to secure additional data. Data were manipulated using suitable analytical software packages to calculate descriptive statistics, including percentages and frequency. A total of 478 (79.7%) of smallholder farmers expressed interest in practicing traditional agroforestry in their farm plots, 122 (20.3%) of the total had no single practices in their farm plots. The results of this study have shown that mixed intercropping (44%), homegarden (36%), trees on cropland (31%), boundary planting (25%), trees on soil conservation (18%), multi-purpose woodlots (17%) and trees on rangeland (9%) are the common traditional agroforestry practices in the study area. The major benefits for planting tree species were for income, soil quality, food, shade, fuel wood, construction purpose, manure, fodder and medicinal purpose. On the other hand, lack of adequate seedlings availability, shortage of land, rainfall shortage, termite hazard and disease, animal browsing, shortage of labour and inadequate extension servicesare the major constraints recorded in the study areas. The study recommends the suggestions made to overcome difficulties of practicing traditional agroforestry in smallholders’ farm plots have implications for the way forwarded.