Abstract:
Agriculture is a crucial driver of long-term growth and economic development,
significantly contributing to GDP globally and in Africa, particularly in Ethiopia. Root
and tuber crops, such as enset, sweet potato, potato, cassava, and yams, play a key role in
ensuring food security and income. However, enset farming faces challenges including
inefficient traditional methods, insufficient extension activities, market imperfections, and
limited research, which hinder its full potential. This study examines the impact of enset
(Ensete ventricosum) production on smallholder farmers' income in the Masha district,
Sheka Zone. Utilizing a mixed-methods approach, data was collected from 270
households, supplemented by key informant interviews and focus group discussions, to
provide comprehensive insights into enset production's efficiency and benefits. The study
utilized descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression, and propensity score matching
models to assess enset crop production determinants and its impact on smallholder
farmers' income. Significant associations were found between enset farming participation
and demographic, socioeconomic, and institutional variables. Factors such as marital
status, land size, farming experience, credit access, oxen ownership, and extension contact
were identified as significant influencers of enset production. The propensity score
matching models revealed that enset producers had an annual income higher by
46,448.9704 ETB compared to non-producers. The research emphasizes the need for
targeted interventions to enhance enset productivity through advanced agronomic
practices, improved credit access, regular extension services, and robust market linkages.
Enset cultivation contributes to sustainable rural development and climate change
mitigation by providing food, animal feed, biofuel, traditional medicine, soil conservation,
and carbon sequestration. Further studies should focus on enset production system
accessibility, marketing integration, and the integration of indigenous knowledge with
current agricultural practices, along with strengthening innovation systems and fostering
stakeholder collaboration.
