Traditional Home-garden Agro-biodiversity, Agro-ecosystem Services and Management Practices: The Case of Sidama Region in Ethiopia

Abstract

This study investigated the characteristics of traditional home-garden agro-biodiversity as well as its agro-ecosystem services in diversifying farm household livelihoods and management practices. A total of 373 households were selected from two districts using simple random sampling techniques. Data were collected through questionnaire, key informant interview, direct field observation, free listing and focus group discussion. Results show that households managed different traditional home-garden sizes and diverse plant species delivering wide range of agro-ecosystem services. Most traditional home-gardens were rich in agro-biodiversity and their corresponding agro-ecosystem services. The corporate agro-ecosystem services delivered among others were food and nutritional supplements, income generations, and medicines. Regarding coverage, Ensete ventricosum, Catha edulis and Eucalyptus camaldulensis dominated the majority of home-gardens. The management is essentially a traditional knowledge-based farming system, managed by family members’ knowledge and skill. Soil fertility is managed through adding organic fertilizers sourced from agro-biological resources. The status of the agro-biodiversity varied with the degree of traditional knowledge and management practices. The major challenges were unstable market prices, poor access to market places, and diminishing home-garden sizes. In conclusion, traditional home-garden is a diverse agri-food systems with remarkable contribution to farmer livelihood diversification through delivering multitudes of agro-ecosystem services.