Review on Socio-Ecological Contribution of Agroforestry Practices in Ethiopia

Abstract

Agroforestry is often defined as a practice that provides multiple economic, social, and ecological benefits. It is a novel approach that can safeguard agricultural sustainability, provide livelihood opportunities, yield ecological benefits, and contribute to household food security. However, comprehensive studies on the socio-ecological contributions of agroforestry are limited due to a lack of evidence. Therefore, a comprehensive review was conducted to analyze and compile various fragmented findings into one cohesive piece of evidence. The review utilized both qualitative and quantitative approaches to explore the socio-economic and ecological components of agroforestry. The findings revealed that there are different integration levels of tree components with crops or livestock within the three agroforestry systems (agrosilvopastoral, silvopastoral, and agrisilvicultural). Dominant agroforestry practices in various regions of Ethiopia include home gardens, hedgerows, intercropping, perennial tree-crop systems, woodlots, scattered trees on farms, and parkland agroforestry. Agroforestry provides socioeconomic benefits through timber and non-timber tree products, as well as improved crop yields compared to monocrops. Additionally, agroforestry plays a role in soil and water management, carbon sequestration, deforestation reduction, and biodiversity preservation. The review indicated that agroforestry can store 61-85% or 2.1-115.7 Mg of carbon per hectare. Various socio-economic, institutional, and biophysical factors influence different agroforestry practices. The review results suggest that policymakers and extension agents should consider these contextual factors and potential benefits to encourage the wider expansion of agroforestry practices