http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/14110 Mon, 13 Jul 2026 15:00:33 GMT 2026-07-13T15:00:33Z http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16936 A Comparative Financial Analysis of Eucalyptus Globulus, and Annual Crops Production in Bassona Werna District, North Shewa Zone, Ethiopia Hailemariyam Fisseha This study investigates the financial profitability of two competing land use choices: Annual crops and Eucalyptus globulus production systems in the Bassona Werana district of the North Shewa zone, Amhara region. The Bassona Werana district is characterized by a dynamic interplay between crop cultivation and forest management, both of which are vital for supporting local livelihoods and ensuring environmental sustainability. The primary objective of this study is to assess the economic viability of these systems using both quantitative and qualitative methods. A mixed research methods approach was applied, first selecting the district purposively, followed by a multi-stage sampling technique. Finally, random sampling was used to select 188 households for household surveys, focus group discussions (FGDs), and key informant interviews (KIIs). The financial analysis, using Net Present Value (NPV) and Equal Annual Equivalent (EAE), reveals that Eucalyptus globulus is the most profitable system, with a total EAE of 376,356.10 ETB/ha/year followed by Annual crops (95,287.68 ETB/ha/year). Despite its lower profitability, Annual crops remain the largest contributor to household income, accounting for (49% ) of total average earnings followed by livestock production (33%) , Eucalyptus globulus (8%), Acacia decurrens (6%), and non-farm activities (4%). Sensitivity analysis indicates that Eucalyptus globulus is highly affected by interest rate changes, whereas Annual crops are more sensitive to production input prices. Econometric analysis identifies key factors influencing land use decisions, including pest and disease prevalence, total farm size, and extension services. This study highlights the need for policies that balance short-term and long-term financial gains, improve access to credit, and strengthen extension services to enhance farm profitability. Sat, 01 Feb 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16936 2025-02-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16935 Assessment of Traditional Agro Forestry Practices, Socio-Economic Benefits, and Constraints in Zegie Peninsula, North Western Ethiopia Melkamu Getie The introduction and promotion of agroforestry in Zegie peninsula would not be a new idea since farmers have been practicing the act of keeping trees together with food crops and/ or animals on their farms.The major purpose of this study, is to assess traditional agro forestry practice, socio ecomonic benefits, and constraints in purposively selected rural kebeles of Zegie peninsula.The study was based on a household survey conducted on 316 households and the data was gathered using a structured questionnaire.For the accomplishment of the study four focus group discussionswith model farmers,elders,land committee members,and female headed householdsand alsothree key informant interviews with kebele experts, forest conservation task force and watershed committee were held.The responses of sample households were analyzed using SPSS version 20, and the qualitative data were narrated and summarized accordingly.Multinomial logit model was employed to estimate the determinants of the choice of agroforestry practice by the households.The result indicates that eight agroforestry practicesexist in the study area namely;homegarden (99.7%),coffee based multistory AFPs (82.6%, live fence (44.6%), boundary planting (16.8%), scattered trees on crop lands (7.3%),wind breaks (2.5%), fodder bank (1.9%),and trees on pasture (1.3%).From the total respondents, 315(99.7%)had adoptedagroforestryand 1(0.3%)did not adopt and involved small businesses/weaving. Some of the benefits were fuelwood (96.2%), diversify’incomes (86.4%), medicine (80.7%), soil nutrient improvement (76.9%), honey production (68.4%), and food supply (61.4%).The major constraints of agroforestry practices identified by households were diseases and pests (99.4%), scarcity of land (71.5%), lack of marketing access (67.7%),lack of credit facilities (50.9%), and water shortage (46.8%), inorderofmagnitude.Resultsofthemultinomial logistic regression modelshowedthat six variables significantlyaffected the choice of agroforestrypractices by households.Size of farm land,family size,capital,gender,watersource,credit and price of marketinghad an influence on their decision to choice of plant/not to plant trees.In generaldiseases and Pests that attack seedlings and even killed them before they matured. For further agroforestry enhancement, diseases, pests, droughts resistance, andimproved species should be required. Moreover appropriate policy and credit facilities should be established. Fri, 01 Dec 2023 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16935 2023-12-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16934 Estimating the Amount of Litterfall and Rate of Decomposition for Cordia Africana and Croton Macrostachyus From Agroforestry Systems in the Aba Gerima Watershed, Amhara Region, Northwestern Ethiopia Kerebih Aragaw The selection and use of appropriate agroforestry tree species that maintain soil nutrients thereby improving productivity remains to challenge in low-input agricultural systems. Therefore, this research focuses on two agroforestry tree species, C.macrostachyus and C.africana. The objective of this study was to estimate the amount of litterfall and rate of decomposition in the Aba Gerima watershed. The decomposition rate was analyzed using the litter-bag technique, while soil and litter samples were used to analyze the soil's physicochemical properties. The litterfall was collected every 15 days using litter bags from February to May 2023. Besides, the rate of decomposition was determined using RCBD design; considering species types as the main factor and incubation period (30, 60, 90, and 120 days) in the dry and wet seasons of the sub-plot factors. Soil samples were collected from four directions (north, south, east, and west) beneath and outside the canopy of each tree species. Composite soil samples were then prepared from these collections, and selected soil physicochemical parameters were analyzed. Results showed that the total amount of litterfall in four months was greater for C.africana than for C.macrostachyus at 5.89 t/ha and 5.19 t/ha, respectively. Regarding the rate of decomposition, C.macrostachyus decomposed significantly faster than C.africana for the incubation period (30-120 days) with a rate constant (k) of 0.012 to 0.04 g/days and 0.13 to 0.04 g/days for C.macrostachyus and 0.01 to 0.02 g/days and 0.09 to 0.04 g/days for C.africana for the dry and wet seasons, respectively. The mass loss is 94% and 47%; C.macrostachyus recorded a greater mass loss than C.africana during the 120 days of the dry season. However, the wet season from 120 days had no significant difference in mass loss between the two tree species. The effect of tree species in the soil nutrient input as observed from C.macrostachyus was significantly higher than that of C.africana. Hence, Utilize litterfall and organic matter from the two indigenous tree species as mulch or compost to enhance soil fertility. Therefore, Raise awareness and encourage the community to conserve these agroforestry trees in cropland to improve soil fertility and crop productivity. Mon, 01 Jul 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16934 2024-07-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16933 ASSESSING SPECIES COMPOSITION, ABOVEGROUND BIOMASS, and SOCIOECONOMIC ROLES of JILWA MARKOS and KIRSTOS SEMRA CHURCH FOREST IN TSAGBJI DISTRICT AMHARA REGION, ETHIOPIA Kalayu Mekonen This study was conducted on Jilwa Markos and Kirstos Semra Church Forest in the northern part of Wag Himra Administrative Zone, Amhara National Regional State. The main objective of the study was to estimate the role of church forests on climate change mitigation through carbon sequestration and biodiversity conservation. Both biological and social data were collected for the study. For biological data collection, plots were laid along transect lines radiating from the peak of JMC and KSC forests. Accordingly, 29 plots each with 100 m2 (10 m x 10 m) tree parameter measurement (diameter and height measurement) and subplots of 5 m x 5 m within the main plots for woody seedling counting. For socioeconomic data collection, purposive (to select church forests) and simple random sampling (household selection) techniques were employed. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected through individual interviews and focus group discussions (FGDs) using questionnaires and checklists. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and Likert scale techniques. A total of 54 species in 46 genera and 30 families were identified from the forest, out of which 51 were new records from the JMC and KSC floristic regions for the flora of Ethiopia. Fabaceae, Rutaceae, Capparidaceae, Euphorbiaceae, and Tiliaceae are the dominant families in terms of species richness. The study reveals that JMC and KSC forests have significant biomass and carbon stocks, with key species contributing to carbon sequestration. Key species like Terminalia brownie in JMC and Acacia abyssinica and Ficus vasta in KSC are crucial for supporting carbon storage and climate mitigation efforts. According to the respondents, Ziziphus abyssinica, Terminalia brownie, and Juniperus procera were identified as important woody species by 18.3%, 18.3%, and 9.2% of respondents, respectively, while a majority (54.1%) of respondents recognizes all species were important for the community. Regarding the uses of trees in the church, the household survey showed that about 47.2% of respondents explained that providing shade during church ceremonies was their primary preference as their primary use. The result revealed a high scare of an overall average of 3.938, which implied a generally positive perception of the importance and benefits of church forests to the community. Based on the results of this study, detailed ecological studies about various environmental factors such as soil type and properties, ethnobotanical studies to explore Indigenous knowledge on the diverse uses of plants, and sound management and maintenance of biodiversity that promote sustainable use of the forest and its products are recommended. Sun, 01 Sep 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.bdu.edu.et/handle/123456789/16933 2024-09-01T00:00:00Z