Ermias Melaku - Academia.edu (original) (raw)
Papers by Ermias Melaku
Impact assessment and restoration of quarry site in urban Environment: the case of Augusta quarry
International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation, 2020
Integration of trees into land use practices is an old-aged experience of smallholder farmers in ... more Integration of trees into land use practices is an old-aged experience of smallholder farmers in Southwest Ethiopia. The contribution of this practice is much undermined. The objective of this study was to assess socioeconomic contributions of agroforestry system to smallholder farmers around Jimma town, Southwest Ethiopia. A total of 199 households were proportionally sampled from the three selected sites (Mazora, Waro kolobo, and Merawa). A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from sampled households. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and an econometric model. The results show that tree-based agroforestry, land-use practice is an integral part of smallholder farmers' livelihoods in the study sites, and furthermore a tree has socioeconomic benefits. An average household income from trees was estimated to be 2592, 4652 and 1922 ETB in Mazora, Waro kolobo, and Merawa sites, respectively. Smallholder farmers appreciated trees more importantly from the socioeconomic points of view in home garden, pasture land and woodlot, across sites. Education level, tree planting experience, and major livelihood positively and significantly influenced income derived from tree products, while livestock possession was negatively and significantly affecting income in the study sites. In general, tree-based agroforestry land use practice is the most crucial for improving smallholder farmer's livelihoods. Therefore, tree-based agroforestry land use practice should be encouraged in the study sites.
Ejigu Mulatu Endrias Geta and Ermias Melaku 1Southern Agricultural Research Institute:P. O. Box 0... more Ejigu Mulatu Endrias Geta and Ermias Melaku 1Southern Agricultural Research Institute:P. O. Box 06, Hawassa, Ethiopia. 2Southern Agricultural Research Institute: P. O. Box 06, Hawassa, Ethiopia 3College of Agriculture and veterinary medicine, Jimma University, P. O. Box 138, Jima, Ethiopia. Corresponding author: Ejigu Mulatu, Southern Agricultural Research Institute, Bonga Research Center Socio economics research division: Bonga, Ethiopia. Tel: +251910140961; E-mail: ejigum61@gmail.com
Cogent Food & Agriculture
OALib, 2015
Soil erosion is one of the biggest threats to agricultural productivity in South West Ethiopia. S... more Soil erosion is one of the biggest threats to agricultural productivity in South West Ethiopia. Steep slopes, high rainfall and fragile ecosystem characterize these production systems. To reverse this trend, integration of physical and biological soil and water conservation measures is very important. This study was conducted to evaluate different multipurpose grass species as soil bund stabilizers. Graded soil bunds were constructed on selected eight farmers' farmland and five grass stabilizers were grown on the embankment of the bund. Five soil bund stabilizers are i) vetiver grass, ii) elephant grass, iii) desho grass, iv) rodes grass, and v) guinea grass. Data on the survival, biomass, and frequency of harvest of those stabilizers on the soil bund were collected. Soil samples were also taken before and after the establishment of experiment. Furthermore, performance criteria were established through group discussions with farmers, and stabilizer (grass) performance was later evaluated according to these criteria. The criteria were weighted using pair-wise ranking and scored with a scale of 1 (not good) to 5 (best) based on each criterion. Desho grass was found to survive and establish on the embankment of soil bund earlier (10-25 days) than the others and followed by elephant and vetiver grass. Furthermore, desho grass was observed to have higher green biomass and frequency of harvest compared to elephant and vetiver grasses. Results of soil chemical properties (Soil N, soil P, Soil K, % OC, pH and CEC) revealed no significant differences in amount of total N, and available P and K between the soils of "before" and "after" the
OALib, 2015
Soil erosion is one of the biggest threats to agricultural productivity in South West Ethiopia. S... more Soil erosion is one of the biggest threats to agricultural productivity in South West Ethiopia. Steep slopes, high rainfall and fragile ecosystem characterize these production systems. To reverse this trend, integration of physical and biological soil and water conservation measures is very important. This study was conducted to evaluate different multipurpose grass species as soil bund stabilizers. Graded soil bunds were constructed on selected eight farmers' farmland and five grass stabilizers were grown on the embankment of the bund. Five soil bund stabilizers are i) vetiver grass, ii) elephant grass, iii) desho grass, iv) rodes grass, and v) guinea grass. Data on the survival, biomass, and frequency of harvest of those stabilizers on the soil bund were collected. Soil samples were also taken before and after the establishment of experiment. Furthermore, performance criteria were established through group discussions with farmers, and stabilizer (grass) performance was later evaluated according to these criteria. The criteria were weighted using pair-wise ranking and scored with a scale of 1 (not good) to 5 (best) based on each criterion. Desho grass was found to survive and establish on the embankment of soil bund earlier (10-25 days) than the others and followed by elephant and vetiver grass. Furthermore, desho grass was observed to have higher green biomass and frequency of harvest compared to elephant and vetiver grasses. Results of soil chemical properties (Soil N, soil P, Soil K, % OC, pH and CEC) revealed no significant differences in amount of total N, and available P and K between the soils of "before" and "after" the
Journal of Forestry Research, 2014
We identified the major non-timber forest products (NTFPs), their contributions to household inco... more We identified the major non-timber forest products (NTFPs), their contributions to household incomes, and the determinants influencing engagement of households in using NTFPs in the Bonga forest area of Gimbo and Decha Districts of Kaffa Zone, southwest Ethiopia. Six Kebeles (the lowest administrative unit in Ethiopia) were sampled from two Districts and 150 households were randomly sampled using proportional-to-size techniques based on the number of farm households in each Kebele. Secondary data were collected from and focus group discussions were conducted with selected individuals. The farmers diversified livelihood activities such as crop and livestock production, collection of NTFPs and off-farm activities. NTFPs played a significant role in household incomes. The contribution from the major NTFPs (forest coffee, honey and spices) accounted for 47% of annual household income. The role of NTFPs was influenced by a number of factors. Variables including being native to the area (+), total land holding (+), possession of livestock (+) and access to extension (+) significantly affected forest coffee production. Age of household head (-), land holding (+) and distance of the market from the residence (-) significantly affected honey production. Size of landholding (+), distance to market (-) and distance of the forest from the residence (-) were significant variables determining the NTFP incomes derived by the households. Attention is needed in the design of policies and strategies for the well-being of households to the Project funding: This work was supported by Rural Capacity Building
Impact assessment and restoration of quarry site in urban Environment: the case of Augusta quarry
International Journal of Biodiversity and Conservation, 2020
Integration of trees into land use practices is an old-aged experience of smallholder farmers in ... more Integration of trees into land use practices is an old-aged experience of smallholder farmers in Southwest Ethiopia. The contribution of this practice is much undermined. The objective of this study was to assess socioeconomic contributions of agroforestry system to smallholder farmers around Jimma town, Southwest Ethiopia. A total of 199 households were proportionally sampled from the three selected sites (Mazora, Waro kolobo, and Merawa). A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from sampled households. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and an econometric model. The results show that tree-based agroforestry, land-use practice is an integral part of smallholder farmers' livelihoods in the study sites, and furthermore a tree has socioeconomic benefits. An average household income from trees was estimated to be 2592, 4652 and 1922 ETB in Mazora, Waro kolobo, and Merawa sites, respectively. Smallholder farmers appreciated trees more importantly from the socioeconomic points of view in home garden, pasture land and woodlot, across sites. Education level, tree planting experience, and major livelihood positively and significantly influenced income derived from tree products, while livestock possession was negatively and significantly affecting income in the study sites. In general, tree-based agroforestry land use practice is the most crucial for improving smallholder farmer's livelihoods. Therefore, tree-based agroforestry land use practice should be encouraged in the study sites.
Ejigu Mulatu Endrias Geta and Ermias Melaku 1Southern Agricultural Research Institute:P. O. Box 0... more Ejigu Mulatu Endrias Geta and Ermias Melaku 1Southern Agricultural Research Institute:P. O. Box 06, Hawassa, Ethiopia. 2Southern Agricultural Research Institute: P. O. Box 06, Hawassa, Ethiopia 3College of Agriculture and veterinary medicine, Jimma University, P. O. Box 138, Jima, Ethiopia. Corresponding author: Ejigu Mulatu, Southern Agricultural Research Institute, Bonga Research Center Socio economics research division: Bonga, Ethiopia. Tel: +251910140961; E-mail: ejigum61@gmail.com
Cogent Food & Agriculture
OALib, 2015
Soil erosion is one of the biggest threats to agricultural productivity in South West Ethiopia. S... more Soil erosion is one of the biggest threats to agricultural productivity in South West Ethiopia. Steep slopes, high rainfall and fragile ecosystem characterize these production systems. To reverse this trend, integration of physical and biological soil and water conservation measures is very important. This study was conducted to evaluate different multipurpose grass species as soil bund stabilizers. Graded soil bunds were constructed on selected eight farmers' farmland and five grass stabilizers were grown on the embankment of the bund. Five soil bund stabilizers are i) vetiver grass, ii) elephant grass, iii) desho grass, iv) rodes grass, and v) guinea grass. Data on the survival, biomass, and frequency of harvest of those stabilizers on the soil bund were collected. Soil samples were also taken before and after the establishment of experiment. Furthermore, performance criteria were established through group discussions with farmers, and stabilizer (grass) performance was later evaluated according to these criteria. The criteria were weighted using pair-wise ranking and scored with a scale of 1 (not good) to 5 (best) based on each criterion. Desho grass was found to survive and establish on the embankment of soil bund earlier (10-25 days) than the others and followed by elephant and vetiver grass. Furthermore, desho grass was observed to have higher green biomass and frequency of harvest compared to elephant and vetiver grasses. Results of soil chemical properties (Soil N, soil P, Soil K, % OC, pH and CEC) revealed no significant differences in amount of total N, and available P and K between the soils of "before" and "after" the
OALib, 2015
Soil erosion is one of the biggest threats to agricultural productivity in South West Ethiopia. S... more Soil erosion is one of the biggest threats to agricultural productivity in South West Ethiopia. Steep slopes, high rainfall and fragile ecosystem characterize these production systems. To reverse this trend, integration of physical and biological soil and water conservation measures is very important. This study was conducted to evaluate different multipurpose grass species as soil bund stabilizers. Graded soil bunds were constructed on selected eight farmers' farmland and five grass stabilizers were grown on the embankment of the bund. Five soil bund stabilizers are i) vetiver grass, ii) elephant grass, iii) desho grass, iv) rodes grass, and v) guinea grass. Data on the survival, biomass, and frequency of harvest of those stabilizers on the soil bund were collected. Soil samples were also taken before and after the establishment of experiment. Furthermore, performance criteria were established through group discussions with farmers, and stabilizer (grass) performance was later evaluated according to these criteria. The criteria were weighted using pair-wise ranking and scored with a scale of 1 (not good) to 5 (best) based on each criterion. Desho grass was found to survive and establish on the embankment of soil bund earlier (10-25 days) than the others and followed by elephant and vetiver grass. Furthermore, desho grass was observed to have higher green biomass and frequency of harvest compared to elephant and vetiver grasses. Results of soil chemical properties (Soil N, soil P, Soil K, % OC, pH and CEC) revealed no significant differences in amount of total N, and available P and K between the soils of "before" and "after" the
Journal of Forestry Research, 2014
We identified the major non-timber forest products (NTFPs), their contributions to household inco... more We identified the major non-timber forest products (NTFPs), their contributions to household incomes, and the determinants influencing engagement of households in using NTFPs in the Bonga forest area of Gimbo and Decha Districts of Kaffa Zone, southwest Ethiopia. Six Kebeles (the lowest administrative unit in Ethiopia) were sampled from two Districts and 150 households were randomly sampled using proportional-to-size techniques based on the number of farm households in each Kebele. Secondary data were collected from and focus group discussions were conducted with selected individuals. The farmers diversified livelihood activities such as crop and livestock production, collection of NTFPs and off-farm activities. NTFPs played a significant role in household incomes. The contribution from the major NTFPs (forest coffee, honey and spices) accounted for 47% of annual household income. The role of NTFPs was influenced by a number of factors. Variables including being native to the area (+), total land holding (+), possession of livestock (+) and access to extension (+) significantly affected forest coffee production. Age of household head (-), land holding (+) and distance of the market from the residence (-) significantly affected honey production. Size of landholding (+), distance to market (-) and distance of the forest from the residence (-) were significant variables determining the NTFP incomes derived by the households. Attention is needed in the design of policies and strategies for the well-being of households to the Project funding: This work was supported by Rural Capacity Building