Determinants of Agroforestry Practicing at Fogera District, Northwestern Ethiopia

Abstract

In Fogera district of northwestern Ethiopia, agroforestry land use systems are considered as sustainable and productive approaches as they have multiple benefits. Agroforestry systems in Fogera were developed by the farmers themselves over time; however, their distribution had remained to certain localities. Thus, this research answers why some farmers practice it while others not. To address this general question a study was conducted with the objectives to assess the major determinant factors affecting farmers’ practicing of agroforestry and to identify dominant traditional agroforestry practices. Data collection was based on a household survey (N=150), focus group discussion (FGD) and field observations. Household and farm characteristics were analyzed using descriptive statistics. T-test and ᵡ2 were used to compare practitioners and non practitioners for continuous and discrete variables, respectively. The econometric analysis using logit model was also done to identify key factors that influence practicing of agroforestry. Fifteen variables were included in the model out of which five of them were found to affect agroforestry practicing significantly. Age (-) and attitude (+) at 1% significance level; land tenure security (+), erosion (+) and training in natural resource management and/ or agriculture (+) at 5% significance level affected practicing significantly. The dominant agroforestry practices identified in the district were farm boundary, farm woodlot and homestead tree integration mainly with Eucalyptus camaldulensis. Land shortage and free grazing were also found widely to hinder agroforestry practicing. Therefore, due emphasis should be given to capitalize on promising factors and also in addressing the obstacles before expanding the experience of practitioners and introducing new improved agroforestry technologies to other areas in Ethiopia.