Indigenous Mechanisms of Environmental Conservation in Major Coffee Producing Area of Jimma Zone: Forest and Soil Fertility Management among Limmu Kossa Oromo

Abstract

This research was conducted in Limmu Kossa, which is located in Jimma Zone of Oromiya region. The purpose of the study was to examine Oromo indigenous mechanisms of environmental conservation in major coffee producing area of Jimma zone by focusing on forest and soil fertility management in Limmu Kossa. The goal of this research was to explore the contributions of Oromo indigenous knowledge in forest and soil fertility management. To achieve this goal,the research was made to collect primary data from Oromo elders, farmers, and development agents who were purposely chosen from three gandas in the district based on their sex, age, and status in the society. In-depth interviews and group discussions were held, observations were made and informal discussions were employed. The findings revealed that the Oromo people have positive attitudes for the forest and protect and respect forest for its religious and economic benefits they get from the forests and big trees. The Oromo people of Limmu Kossa consider big trees with great respect. The big sacred trees are called Qolloo tree which is used to put sacrifice for thank giving to Waaqaa by Oromo religion followers and by the elders. In this research the indigenous knowledge of the farmers in soil fertility managements and the ways they used to classify soil and how the land becomes fertile after indigenous treatment. Nowadays, this remarkable respect for trees and environment are decreasing. Some of indigenous soil fertility management is also declining because of various factors. Those factors are expansion of foreign religion, population growth, adaptation of chemical fertilizer and misguiding government policy on land and natural resource.