The role of traditional knowledge in agroforestry practices in dawuro zone southern nations nationali ties and peoples regional state of Ethiopia

Abstract

The traditional knowledge of deliberate maintenance of species diversity is important for biodiversity conservation. A growing population needs food, construction wood and arable land among other things to satisfy human needs. Traditional knowledge for managing agroforestry practices is essential in contributing to these needs. There is limited scientific research on traditional agroforestry practices in Mareqa District. Therefore, the objective of this study was to assess of traditional agrofor erstry practices in homegardens and on farm tree and shrub species.It also identified the diversities of tree and shrub species in traditional agroforestry practices and analyses the socioeconomic implicatio ns of traditional agroforestry practices to the local community livelihood in Dawuro Zone southwest; Ethiopia. The study district was purposely selected. Semi-structured interview of 120 randomly selected households from the total of 908 were interviewed to assess the traditional agroforestry practices. To complement the data focus group discussion and key informants interview were used. Species data were collected from 102 plots laid on 9 transects in three agro Ecological zones (AEZ) of Mareqa District. Interview data on traditional knowledge of agroforestry practices was analyzed using SPSS software version 16.0 and summarized into tables, graphs and others are narrated qualitatively. The results revealed 41 homegardens and 36 on farm tree species are common to all AEZs of the study site. Farmers of each AEZs in this study planted and retained tree species for their benefit. Species diversities showed that from 102 sample plots 27 species, 13 species and 11 species from 2.7/ha,1.2/ha and 1/ha of land from dega, wayne- dega and kola AEZs identified respectively. In dega AEZs the Shannon’s diversity index was 2.156 and Evenness was 0.4675. The result of analyzed species diversity in three different AEZs checked by Turkey’s test indicated non significant difference (P>0.05) in species diversity in wayne dega and kola. About 17.6% of respondents confirmed tree fruit products are intended primarily for household (HH) consumption and for income generation. Key informants revealed that most of tree management are made by the men from the HH due to cultural management system. It was noted that thinning makes the trees equivalent to being largered in diamet er and about 20.6 % of respondents explained that local people manage tree species by thinning. Abou t 50, 37and 2 of respondents agreed the importance of traditional knowledge for conservation of speci es diversities in each AEZs areas respectively. The tree species have multiple uses. This was evidenced by 23.5 % of species are used as food source, 22.5% of species used for construction,20.6% of species used for shade, 15.7% of species are used for income generation. Furthermore, as local community believed that to bring positive attitude on planting indigenous tree species on their farm and HGs should be promoted to enhance the traditional knowledge in agroforestry practices and the plants species sustainability. Therefore, the present study showed that local people of Mareqa district have di verse management of agroforestry practices that helped them to maintain diversity of tree and shrub s pecies in their homegardens and on their farms. Hence, priority and consideration should be given fo r planting indigenous trees species with multiples uses which are important for improving community’ livelihoods. Equally important is the traditional knowledge of agroforestry practices need be properly supported by extension services and prompted by enhanced further research and an enabling policy.