Farmers’ Perceptions and Management Practices of Parkland Agroforestry for Sustainable Agriculture in Minjar Shenkora, North Shewa Zone, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

Parkland Agroforestry practices hold the potential to both mitigate and adapt to imminent climate change by enabling carbon sequestration and providing alternative income sources for rural populations. However, there remains a lack of empirical research on how these practices are perceived at the local level across various regions. This particular study evaluated the community’s view of Parkland Agroforestry within Minjar Shenkora woreda. The study employed a two‐stage stratified random sampling method to select 110 farmers from four kebeles for the household surveys. The survey aimed to gauge households’ perception of the socioecological benefits of Parkland Agroforestry. A Likert scale facilitated the analysis of the farmers’ views. Findings suggest that nearly all farmers have a positive understanding of Parkland Agroforestry practices. They recognize the significant potential of these practices to provide a range of ecosystem services and to counteract climate change by enhancing carbon sequestration and bolstering the resilience of the local agricultural ecosystem. To sustain and improve these ecosystem services, it is recommended that local bylaws and regulations be enforced more strictly to prevent illegal tree felling and uncontrolled grazing. Additionally, the impacts of mechanized plowing and harvesting on the growth and natural regeneration of seedlings warrant further consideration.