Belay and Muluneh:Contribution Of Eucalyptus Tree Farming For Rural Livelihood In Eza Wereda, Ethiopia

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Palgo Journal of Agriculture, Vol. 3(1) pp. 111 - 117, January, 2016.

Review

Contribution Of Eucalyptus Tree Farming For Rural Livelihood In Eza Wereda, Ethiopia

Belay Zerga* and Muluneh Woldetsadik (PhD)²

^*Department of Natural Resources Management , Wolkite University, Ethiopia.

²Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Addis Ababa University, Ethiopia.

Accepted 24 January,2016

Abstract

Eucalyptus tree can produce large volumes of poles for construction and wood products for fuel wood and construction in a short time without requiring much attention for management. Particularly the advantage is more meaningful for small landholders like those of the study area. The study assessed causes of eucalyptus tree expansion, farming practices, perceived negative ecological impacts and its contribution to the rural livelihood in three selected KPAs (Kebele Peasant Administrations) namely, Zigba Boto (kolla), Shebraden (woinadega) and Koter Gedra (dega). In each selected KPAs a total of 180 households were selected by using purposive systematic sampling techniques. Direct observations, discussions with key informants and focus groups were undertaken by the researcher. The required data were also collected using schedule through structured open and close-ended questionnaires. The study revealed that households in the study area are benefiting from eucalyptus tree plantation. Fuel wood, construction, and financial benefits are the main reasons of farmers in engaging with this farming activity. Thus, 3% and 60% of the surveyed farmers have ranked eucalyptus tree as first and second source of their income respectively. Hence, eucalyptus tree has dominated all other food crops, chat, and coffee next to enset. Households became beneficiaries from sale of eucalyptus poles of different sizes (small, medium, and big) upon emergencies of cash shortage. Farmers prefer to sell eucalyptus products when there is a fall of prices of grain to sale it latter at high price. In the study area, Eza Wereda, Gurage zone, the decision to grow eucalyptus is predominantly engendered by the need to meet household wood demands and other benefits. Most part of household level fuel and construction wood demand is met by own eucalypt wood lots. Fuel wood forms not only the major source of energy for cooking and lighting but it is also an indispensable source of heating for households particularly during the cold seasons. Moreover in the study area eucalyptus is the second most preferred wood for roof pillars (some farmers rated first) and underground construction works, next to juniperus procera. Eucalyptus wood also lends itself to many other uses in house construction. Fencing along farm and individual plot boundaries are commonly done with eucalypt branches and twigs. Eucalypt logs are also commonly employed as a heavy duty bridge on most water streams. Farmers intentionally plant eucalypt seedlings mainly for economic and social services. Eucalypt seedlings are planted on degraded and erosion prone grounds such as gully banks and inside gullies to reduce landslide and soil erosion.

Key words: Eucalyptus tree farming, livelihood/income diversification, fuel wood, construction, social merit, time saving, Eucalyptus tree poles