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Farmers’ perceptions about exotic multipurpose fodder trees and constraints to their adoption

Agroforestry Systems volume 73, pages 141–153 (2008)Cite this article

Abstract

Many organizations in Ethiopia have for many years promoted exotic multipurpose fodder trees (EMPFT) for livestock feed and soil improvement. Despite the apparent benefits, the number of farmers planting these trees was low. The objectives were to elucidate farmers’ perceptions about their use value, management practices and constraints to adoption in three districts representing annual (one wheat-based and one teff-based) and perennial (coffee-based) crop-livestock systems in the Ethiopian highlands. Data were collected from 235 farm households. Most farmers (95.3%) had awareness of EMPFTs and the principal information sources were development agents (75.3%). Over half of the farmers were motivated to plant EMPFTs for feed value. Motivation for other purposes depended on cropping system, vegetation cover and availability of alternative local fodder trees in the area. Farmers had positive perceptions about EMPFTs for their feed value and contribution to soil conservation. Current adopters had a mean number of 587 (SE ± 84) EMPFTs per farm. Major constraints to adoption of EMPFTs were agronomic problems, low multipurpose value, and land shortage. Majority of farmers (89.8%) were interested to either continue or begin fodder tree development. Of the interested respondents, 44.5% preferred local fodder trees whereas 55.5% preferred EMPFTs. We conclude that farmers are aware of use values of EMPFTs while perceived constraints suggest that introduction of EMPFTs need consideration of farmers multiple criteria, but also awareness of feeding fodder trees and resource availability. Moreover, current development approaches have to recognize the importance of involving the end-users at all stages through participatory approaches to enhance adoption.

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Acknowledgements

Without the support of the local extension staff and farmers during the data collection period in the study districts, this research wouldn’t have been carried out and their contribution is gratefully acknowledged. We also extend our sincere gratitude to the Swedish International Development Association (SIDA) for Amhara Region, Ethiopia for providing funds utilized in this research project, and the Amhara Agricultural Research Institute (ARARI) and International livestock research Institute (ILRI) for their continued provision of facilities and enabling environment to conduct this research project.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Animal Production Systems Group, Wageningen University, P.O. Box 338, 6700 AH, Wageningen, The Netherlands

    Abebe Mekoya, Simon J. Oosting & Akke J. Van der Zijpp

  2. Amhara Region Agricultural Research Institute, P.O. Box 527, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

    Abebe Mekoya

  3. International Livestock Research Institute, P.O. Box 5689, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

    Salvador Fernandez-Rivera

Authors
  1. Abebe Mekoya
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  2. Simon J. Oosting
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  3. Salvador Fernandez-Rivera
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  4. Akke J. Van der Zijpp
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Correspondence to Simon J. Oosting.

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Mekoya, A., Oosting, S.J., Fernandez-Rivera, S. et al. Farmers’ perceptions about exotic multipurpose fodder trees and constraints to their adoption. Agroforest Syst 73, 141–153 (2008). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-007-9102-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10457-007-9102-5

Keywords

  • Adoption
  • Awareness
  • Development constraints
  • Ethiopian highlands
  • Farm households
  • Values

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