Agroforestry: A Triple Win for Mixed Farming Systems in Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia

Abstract

The Ethiopian Central Rift Valley floor faces various challenges related to reducing food insecurity, degraded ecosystems and climate change. Farming in the lower valley region is largely done under rainfed conditions, and the area’s overreliance on agriculture and its very low levels of irrigation make it singularly vulnerable to the vagaries of its highly variable and changing climate. This study sought to answer the question of the effect of agroforestry as a Climate Smarts Agriculture (CSA) strategy option to improve food productivity in a mixed farming system at farm-level in Central Rift Valley, Ethiopia. To extrapolate current agricultural practices into the future, WOFOST (World Food Studies simulation model) was used to simulate the yields under the effect of climate change. For the business as usual it was assumed that the strategies currently used by farmers remained the same in the future that is application of synthetic fertiliser and unavailability of irrigation systems. However, a few parameters were changed due to climate change such as amount of CO₂ in the atmosphere. The parameters that were changed included temperature, PAR, soil moisture and nitrogen deposition. WOFOST results were based on historical weather data (1979 – 2015) and future data (2020-2050).The results of this study showed a positive effect of agroforestry in combination with enhanced manure management. This study recommends using agroforestry with enhanced manure management as a climate smart strategy that will improve all CSA pillars. The multiple benefits associated with agroforestry, when managed well, are a viable option for smallholder farmers of the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia.

Keywords: Crop Simulation Model, WOFOST modelling, Agroforestry

DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/10-4-01

Publication date: February 29^th 2020