Livelihood Contributions of Moringa Tree based Agroforestry Practices in Konso District, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Agroforestry is praised for its benefit in balancing economic and environmental goals although its economic advantages over monocropping are not well documented for most agro-ecology and practices. This study was carried out to investigate livelihood contribution of the practice. The study employed focus group discussion, key informants interview, and household survey for data collection.  The data obtained via these techniques were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and livelihood impact analysis. The livelihood contribution analysis showed that there is significant difference in livelihood status of Moringa Tree Based agroforestry users compared to the non users.  In general, the moringa tree based agroforestry practice is superior for its social, economic and environmental benefits than monocropping system. Above all, it is the land use system recommendable in the area, where the problem of inhospitable, harsh and vulnerable environments, challenging landscape, fragile soil susceptible to erosion and highly variable rainfall is very pressing. Therefore, the government and other responsible bodies should support smallholder farmers in the area in order to use moringa tree based agroforestry land use for sustainability of smallholder agriculture that has been constrained by inhospitable, harsh and vulnerable environments, challenging landscape, fragile soil susceptible to erosion and highly variable rainfall.

Keywords: Agroforestry practices, Smallholders and livelihood