Characterization of Farming Systems in Kedida Gamela, Kacha Bira and Damboya Woredas (Administrative Districts) in Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

The existence of diversity of crops and farming systems in Ethiopia even in smaller administrative unit is due to the extremely varied topography and agro-ecology. The objective of this research was to characterize the farming system of Kedida Gamela, Kecha Bira and Damboya woredas by identifying crop types and their yields in different landscape positions, fertilizer application practices at different landscape positions. Totally 463 geo referenced plots of small holder farmers were surveyed by using grid based survey. In all farm plots, site information such as crop types, the type and rate of fertilizers applied, the yield with and without fertilizer, geographical locations of the field, farming system, land use and fertility management practices were recorded on site description sheet and then analyzed by using statistical tools. The common crop types in the study area were found to be maize, teff, wheat, sorghum, barley, enset, haircot bean, potato, faba bean and vegetables in a decreasing order of magnitude. The distribution and average yield of crops varied from one landscape to other landscape even in the same altitude. The average yield of the crops at all landscape positions was below optimum level due to the lack of site specific soil fertility management, low soil fertility status, decline in soil fertility, unbalanced and little fertilizer use, cultivation of steep slope, lack of improved varieties, improper agronomic practices, lack of control of weeds and diseases, post harvest loss and other biological and physical factors. The only inorganic fertilizers that were used by farmers in the study area were DAP and urea with rate below blanket recommendation rate. Some farmers didn’t use both of inorganic fertilizer at all. In the study areas many tree species such as eucalyptus and shrubs were observed. In order to improve the agricultural production in study area, site specific soil fertility management and the fertilizer rate which is based on soil test with proper agronomic practice and improved crop varieties  are highly recommended.

Keywords:  Crop diversity, Crop yield, fertilizer use, and vegetation