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Market Channels for Highland Bamboo Poles Originated from Hula District, Sidama Zone Southern Ethiopia

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Abstract

Ethiopia is one of the countries well-endowed with bamboo (Arundinaria alpine, a highland bamboo, and Oxytenanthera abyssinica, a lowland bamboo species). As compared to its potential, however, the contribution of bamboo to producer livelihoods and the national economy is very low. This paper describes the bamboo production-consumption system in the Hula district of Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Data include primary and secondary sources. The primary data were collected from 160 farmers, 38 traders and 30 consumers using household surveys, key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Data were then analyzed using a value chain analysis. In the district, all households produced bamboo and allocated on average of 1/6 of their total land holding to bamboo production. Bamboo poles, the primary products, were identified as differentiated products in the market based on length, diameter, circumference, and the intended use of the poles into four major types. In 2014, 26,825 poles of Type 1 bamboo were harvested followed by 25,269 poles of Type 2. The amount harvested from Type 3 and Type 4 bamboos were 17,661 and 20,090 poles, respectively. The value chain analysis revealed that the major actors in the production to consumption system of bamboo were farmers, brokers, wholesalers, craftsmen, house constructors and domestic users. The results indicated that each type has a distinct value chain, with differentiated pricing and use pattern. The major limiting factors identified included absence of value added production and poor market linkage. This study supports the need for further research and investment in value added production alternatives and improved market access. Policies that support farmers’ access to modern production systems, establishment of cooperatives and improved extension system will also likely to accelerate the efficiency and effectiveness of the value chain.

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Notes

  1. Dega is the traditional classification of the environment in Ethiopia in relation to topography. It represents areas above 2400 m, where crops such as barley, wheat, and pulses are grown.

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Acknowledgements

The research was financed by the German Federal Ministry of Education and Research in the framework of ‘CHAnces IN Sustainability: Promoting Natural Resource based Product Chains in East Africa (CHAINS) project Project-ID 01DG13017. We would like to acknowledge bamboo producers, traders, and all the enumerators who participated in the study; as well as Mizan-Tepi University and WondoGenet College of Forestry and Natural Resource for supporting the first author for his Masters study.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Agricultural Economics Department, College of Agriculture and Natural Resources, Mizan-Tepi University, P.O. Box 260, Miza-Teferi, Ethiopia

    Tirusew Teshale

  2. Natural Resource Economics and Policy Program, Wondo Genet College of Forestry and Natural Resource, Hawassa University, P.O. Box 128, Shashemene, Ethiopia

    Teshale Woldeamanuel

  3. Forest Products Utilization and Management Program, Wondo Genet College of Forestry and Natural Resource, Hawassa University, P.O. Box 128, Shashemene, Ethiopia

    Tsegaye Bekele

  4. Institute of International Forestry and Forest Products, Technical University of Dresden, Dresden, Germany

    Asmamaw Alemu & Jürgen Pretzsch

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  1. Tirusew Teshale
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  2. Teshale Woldeamanuel
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  3. Tsegaye Bekele
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  4. Asmamaw Alemu
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  5. Jürgen Pretzsch
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Correspondence to Tsegaye Bekele.

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Teshale, T., Woldeamanuel, T., Bekele, T. et al. Market Channels for Highland Bamboo Poles Originated from Hula District, Sidama Zone Southern Ethiopia. Small-scale Forestry 16, 469–485 (2017). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11842-017-9365-2

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