Socio-ecological Benefit of Homegarden Agroforestry and Their Indigenous Management System: A Case Study in Digelu Tijo District, Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

Home gardens (HGs) are thriving traditional food systems safeguarding a rich agrobiodiversity. They supply basic needs as well as ceremonial and religious benefits to households (HHs). However, documentation of HGs in Ethiopia is inadequate and patchy. This ethnobotanical study was carried out in Digelu Tijo District Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia to identify and document plant species diversity in HGs and the associated indigenous ecological knowledge of the local people. Four kebeles were selected based on their worthy traditional HG practice and detailed indigenous knowledge of the community. From these sites, 130 respondents (HG owners) were selected based on their good HG practice and management. Data were collected using semi-structured interviews, guided garden tours, group discussions, and market surveys. Data were analyzed by preference ranking, direct matrix ranking, descriptive and inferential statistics, Sørensen’s similarity index, Shannon-Wiener diversity index, and Pearson correlation coefficients. HG areas range from 0.04 ha to 0.25 ha with a mean of 0.12 ha. A total of 72 useful plant species were documented. Fabaceae was the most frequently observed family containing ten species, followed by Solanaceae. The plant species comprised, 33% trees, 23% shrubs, 42% herbs, and 3% climbers. Eight social use categories were identified: edible plants (26%), medicinal plants (24%), forage plants (11%), plants for construction (10%), for income generation (9%), ornamentals (8%), spices (7%) and for shading (5%). The Shannon-Wiener indices of plant diversity (H’) ranged between sites from 2.53 to 3.33. Ecological values of the HGs in the study area include maintenance of soil fertility, habitat provision to many organisms, enhancement of water quality, prevention of soil erosion, carbon sequestration, and improving soil moisture by providing shade. HGs are important for food security and restoring ecosystem services, particularly in ruined regions. The HGs are highly diversified with different plant species providing multiple uses and several ecological goods and services, but their potential is beyond this. They are threatened by various factors like lack of water, lack of access to quality seed/seedlings, disease and pests, poor access to markets, and insufficient technical support by agricultural experts. Therefore, for enhanced and integrated conservation of these rich resources and to ensure food security, joint efforts by all concerned stakeholders are required.