Agroforestry Practices, Benefits and Challenges in Gimbo District Kafa Zone Southwestern Ethiopia

Abstract

The major purpose of this study was to assess the practices, benefits and challenges of Agroforestry in Gimbo district, Kafa zone. In order to achieve the objectives of the study, descriptive survey method was employed, because the major goal of this study was to describe the practices, benefits and challenges of agroforestry, as it exists at present. The study was conducted in three kebeles of Gimbo district that were selected purposively. Questionnaires, interviews and focus group discussions were used to collect data. The data gathered through questionnaire were analyzed using percentages, mean and standard deviation and the data collected through interview and focus group discussions were analyzed in statement form. The study depicted that: the major types of agro-forestry practices practiced by farmers of Gimbo district are home garden agro-forestry followed by shelterbelts; plantation-based cropping system; hedgerow intercropping; scattered trees in crop lands; boundary planting and live hedges; and woodlots for soil conservation. Vulnerability to food insecurity, access to forest product, access to credit, participating in own cash generating activity, species composition, density and structure of the forest, crop production, livestock production and product from NTFPs were improved after the introduction of Agro-forestry. Agro-forestry practices reduced deforestation, increased forest inventory, increased the right to use the forest products, encouraged alternative livelihood activities, created new market benefits for the participants, increased environmental awareness for the participants. Producers education level, small land plot size, clan-owned land renting system, absence of village land use plans, poor land use and management, lack of awareness by farmers of environmental benefits of trees and misconception about trees, lack of training or skills for product transformation, poor transport infrastructure, high wastage for perishable goods and a failure to reach quality grades, high cost of collecting tree products from the area, small number of markets, and lack of market information, lack of storage facilities and capital, and unstable prices and supplies, especially during the rainy season, were identifies as challenges of agro-forestry practices. Due to the challenges faced by farmers in marketing some of the agro-forestry produce, this study recommends establishment of additional interest groups to boost development of farm produce enterprises; and there is need to carry out further research on appropriate and affordable agro-forestry technology, which is also rewarding in the short run to resources poor farmers faced with seasonal flood and drought challenges. Key words: Agro-forestry, Gimbo, Challenges, Benefits, Land use