Farmer’s Local Knowledge towards Effects of Highland Bamboo (Oldeania alpina (K. Schum.) Stapleton) in Agroforestry

Abstract

Highland bamboo has been playing a great role in economic, ecological, and social aspects. However, its effects while planted in Agroforestry (AF) lands have not been documented. Therefore, the aim of this study was to assess the local farmer’s knowledge towards the effects of highland bamboo while planted in AF niches at Arbegona District, Sidama, Ethiopia. To this end, a reconnaissance survey was conducted to select two study kebeles from the district purposively based on the traditional bamboo-based AF potential in the area. The principal techniques such as semi-structured informant interviews, field observation, and focus group discussions were used to collect the data. A total of 50 informant farmers (25 from each kebele) were selected and interviewed through snowball method. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics by SPSS software. The findings showed that the majority of the respondents experienced positive socio-ecological effects (i.e., functioning as a windbreak (96%), fast-growing (92%), and livelihood supplement (88%) and adverse effects (i.e., high rhizome distribution (96%), shade effect and low decomposition rate of leaf litter (90%), and high competition for nutrients (86%)) of highland bamboo in AF. In addition, the major bamboo management practices by farmers were fencing (92%), thinning (88%), and terracing to rhizome control (84%). Therefore, the inclusion of local knowledge of farmers into science is vital while designing and developing agroforestry system particularly bamboo-based agroforestry. Finally, the study recommended further in-depth field experimental research should be investigated to identify the interaction effects of highland bamboo in AF practices