Farming System Characterization: The Case of Gurage, Siltie Zones and Yem Special District, SNNPRs, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was conducted to characterize and analyze existing farming system and identify the production constraints of Gurage, Siltie and Yem special district. Mixed farming is the main economic activity and bases of farmers’ livelihood in the study areas. For fruitful research and development intervention, characterize the existing farming system is vital to understand the actual condition. Around 275 sample households were selected using multi-stage sampling techniques. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. In general the farming system in the study areas is characterized as crop-livestock mixed farming system. The result indicates that wheat-maize-teff based farming system and enset-barley-Irish potato based farming system are mostly practiced farming typologies in the study areas. Lack of improved seed, crop diseases, high cost of inputs, and delay of input supply, lack of agricultural mechanization, poor knowledge of farmers on farm field management and agronomic practices, low productivity and poor market linkage are major crop production constraints. Lack of improved breed, diseases, feed shortage, lack of improved forage supply, lack of veterinary services, poor-performance of cross breeds, water shortage, poor extension service, ineffective apiculture practices and lack of dairy processing technologies are major problems of livestock production in the farming system. The major constraints of natural resource management which causing for decreasing crop productivity were climate change, land degradation, deforestation, soil erosion, soil acidity, scarcity of water, shortage of irrigation water and soil fertility decline. Therefore, it needs research, development and institutional interventions to eradicate the identified constraints to crop and livestock production in the study area through holistic approach.