Your search found 6 records
1 Biazin, B.; Haileslassie, Amare; Zewdie, T.; Mekasha, Y.; Gebremedhin, B.; Fekadu, A.; Shewage, T. 2018. Smallholders’ avocado production systems and tree productivity in the southern highlands of Ethiopia. Agroforestry Systems, 92(1):127-137. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-016-0020-2]
Agricultural production ; Fruit trees ; Avocados ; Smallholders ; Farmers ; Highlands ; Agroforestry ; Harvesting ; Canopy ; Coffee industry ; Land ownership ; Households / Ethiopia
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H047783)
Ethiopia is one of the top five avocado producers in sub-Saharan Africa. Despite increasing recognition for its nutritional value and economic importance, information on smallholder avocado production systems across agro-climatic zones and determinants for tree productivity are literally lacking. Therefore, the objectives of this study were to examine the determinants for avocado tree holdings by smallholder farmers and investigate the effect of avocado production systems and management conditions on fruit yield by individual avocado trees in Southern Ethiopia. Data required for the study was collected through a combination of focus group discussions, household survey and field tree inventories. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, analyses of variance and linear regression methods using statistical software for social sciences (SPSS version 20). In the study region, avocado is mainly grown as an integral component of the coffee- and enset-based agroforestry systems. The number of avocado trees owned by smallholder producers was related to district, sex of household head, age of household head, educational status, land holding size, pest and disease damage and access to extension services. Productivity of avocado was significantly (p < 0.05) different between production systems. The highest avocado fruit yield was observed from trees grown in the coffee and enset-based agroforestry systems. However, the smallholder producers complain that the yields of coffee and enset grown under avocado trees could be very low. The total height of avocado trees was significantly (p < 0.05) different across the different production systems. The mean heights of matured (21–25 years old) avocado trees were 17.57 ± 0.86 m (±SE; N = 20) under coffee-based agroforestry system and 14.93 ± 1.24 m when grown as individual trees around homes. Proper extension support is needed to disseminate improved production techniques: encompassing proper tree spacing, tree training, pruning, soil amendments, growing optimum number of trees for successful pollination and improved harvesting.
2 Assefa, S.; Biazin, B.; Muluneh, A.; Yimer, F.; Haileslassie, Amare. 2016. Rainwater harvesting for supplemental irrigation of onions in the southern dry lands of Ethiopia. Agricultural Water Management, 178:325-334. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2016.10.012]
Rainwater ; Water harvesting ; Irrigation systems ; Supplemental irrigation ; Vegetables ; Onions ; Arid zones ; Dry season ; Wet season ; Dry spells ; Water productivity ; Water supply ; Water requirements ; Irrigation water ; Soil properties ; Runoff ; Planting ; Rainfed farming / Africa South of Sahara / Ethiopia / Halaba District
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H047784)
3 Wolka, K.; Sterk, G.; Biazin, B.; Negash, M. 2018. Benefits, limitations and sustainability of soil and water conservation structures in Omo-Gibe Basin, Southwest Ethiopia. Land Use Policy, 73:1-10. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.landusepol.2018.01.025]
Soil conservation ; Water conservation ; Erosion control ; Bunds ; Repairing ; Benefits ; Sustainability ; Adoption ; Labour ; Socioeconomic environment ; Watersheds / Ethiopia / Omo-Gibe Basin / Bokole Watershed / Toni Watershed
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048758)
(0.60 MB)
Different types of soil and water conservation (SWC) structures were introduced to Ethiopia during the last four decades for abating water erosion and sustaining agricultural productivity. This study aimed to determine benefits, limitations and sustainability of SWC structures in the Toni and Bokole watersheds of the Omo Gibe basin. A household survey was conducted on a total of 201 households, which were selected by employing a multistage sampling procedure that covered six rural kebeles.1 Moreover, six focus group discussions were conducted. The results revealed that more than 80% of respondents in Bokole watershed and all respondents in Toni watershed experienced moderate to severe soil erosion. Farmers were selective in accepting and implementing SWC structures depending on the local land characteristics. Stone bunds were widely implemented in Bokole watershed where rock fragments are abundant and Fanya juu and soil bunds were widely practiced in Toni watershed where rock fragments are not available. Owing to labor intensiveness of the SWC structures, more than 82% of respondents in Bokole and 54% in Toni perceived that labor shortage was a challenge for construction and maintenance. More than 74% of the adopter farmers were also concerned about the loss of cultivable land due to the construction of SWC structures. Number of cattle owned (p < 0.05) and having administrative responsibility in the kebele (p < 0.1) significantly and negatively influenced construction of the SWC structures in Bokole watershed. Runoff overtopping, livestock trampling and cultivation practices were mentioned as the causes of damages for the SWC structures in both watersheds. In Bokole watershed, 92% of the respondents indicated that they repaired the broken SWC structures to sustain their benefits. But 62% of respondents in Toni watershed did not repair. The effort of repairing the SWC structures was significantly (p < 0.05) and negatively influenced by farmland area in Bokole watershed and by education level in Toni watershed. The respondents’ preferences of SWC structures, rate of adoption, willingness to repair and factors affecting adoption and repairing were slightly different in Bokole watershed when compared with Toni watershed. Thus, we concluded that effective implementation and sustainability of SWC structures should critically consider the land users’ socio-economic and environmental intricacy.
4 Wolka, K.; Mulder, J.; Biazin, B.. 2018. Effects of soil and water conservation techniques on crop yield, runoff and soil loss in Sub-Saharan Africa: a review. Agricultural Water Management, 207:67-79. [doi: https://doi.org/10.1016/j.agwat.2018.05.016]
Soil conservation ; Water conservation ; Erosion control ; Techniques ; Soil moisture ; Runoff ; Terraces ; Soil organic matter ; Biomass ; Nutrients ; Crop yield ; Socioeconomic environment ; Corporate culture ; Smallholders ; Farmers / Africa South of Sahara
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H048838)
(1.82 MB)
Soil erosion by water is one of the main causes of land degradation and reduced agricultural productivity in Africa leading to an estimated annual loss in crop yield of 280 million tons. To reverse this problem, various indigenous and recently introduced cross slope barrier soil and water conservation (CSB-SWC) techniques have been implemented. These include Fanya juu1 , soil bunds, stone bunds, bench terraces, vegetative barriers, and tied-ridges. In this review, we analyze and synthesize the results of various studies that focused on the effects of CSB-SWC techniques on runoff, soil loss, soil properties, crop yield, and biomass in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Introduction of various CSB-SWC techniques was found to reduce runoff and soil loss by 13–71% and 39–83%, respectively. More than 80% of the reviewed scientific studies showed a positive effect on crop yield mainly due to retention of nutrients and moisture. The effect of CSB-SWC techniques on crop yield varies with rainfall and slope, with most of the CSB-SWC techniques improving crop yields in low rainfall areas. Fanya juu and soil bunds were effective on relatively gentle slopes while hedgerows and stone bunds were effective even on moderately steep slopes. However, studies across SSA indicate that some CSB-SWC techniques could have negative side effects such as waterlogging. Also, these techniques are associated with the occupation of significant areas of cultivable land. Thus, they require proper design and implementation. In most cases, CSB-SWC techniques are economically feasible, due to improved crop yield and low labor opportunity costs. However, implementation may be hampered by high construction costs, small landholding size, land tenure insecurity, and low short-term benefits. Effectiveness and benefits of CSB-SWC can be improved by their integration with other land management techniques such as soil fertility amendments and conservation tillage.
5 Woldewahid, G.; Biazin, B.; Haileslassie, Amare. 2019. Enabling frontline water lifting service providers to reduce risks of crop failure and increase producer confidence in adopting irrigation: LIVES [Livestock and Irrigation Value Chains for Ethiopian Smallholders] experiences. In Mekonnen, K.; Yasabu, S.; Gebremedhin, B.; Woldemeskel, E.; Tegegne, A.; Thorne, P. (Eds.). Proceedings of a Workshop and Exhibition on Promoting Productivity and Market Access Technologies and Approaches to Improve Farm Income and Livelihoods in Ethiopia: Lessons from Action Research Projects, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 8-9 December 2016. Nairobi, Kenya: International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). pp.9-12.
Water lifting ; Crop losses ; Yield losses ; Risk reduction ; Irrigated farming ; Pumps ; Water supply ; Technology ; Farmers / Ethiopia / Tigray / Oromia / Amhara / Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049334)
https://cgspace.cgiar.org/bitstream/handle/10568/102356/AR_proceedings_2019.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049334.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049334.pdf
(0.07 MB) (6.23 MB)
6 Gebregziabher, Gebrehaweria; Haileslassie, Amare; Biazin, B.; Schmitter, Petra; Chali, A.; Otoo, Miriam; Lefore, Nicole; Barron, Jennie; Tegegne, Desalegn; Dubale, T. 2019. Solar-powered water pumping can boost smallholder income: a business model based on action research from LIVES [Livestock and Irrigation Value Chains for Ethiopian Smallholders] and Africa RISING [Research in Sustainable Intensification for the Next Generation] sites. In Mekonnen, K.; Yasabu, S.; Gebremedhin, B.; Woldemeskel, E.; Tegegne, A.; Thorne, P. (Eds.). Proceedings of a Workshop and Exhibition on Promoting Productivity and Market Access Technologies and Approaches to Improve Farm Income and Livelihoods in Ethiopia: Lessons from Action Research Projects, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 8-9 December 2016. Nairobi, Kenya: International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI). pp.78-80.
Water supply ; Solar energy ; Pumping ; Irrigation water ; Smallholders ; Farmers ; Farm income ; Business models ; Costs ; Projects / Ethiopia / Oromia / Southern Nations, Nationalities, and Peoples' Region (SNNPR)
(Location: IWMI HQ Call no: e-copy only Record No: H049338)
https://cgspace.cgiar.org/bitstream/handle/10568/102356/AR_proceedings_2019.pdf?sequence=1&isAllowed=y
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049338.pdf
https://vlibrary.iwmi.org/pdf/H049338.pdf
(0.61 MB) (6.23 MB)
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