Dahlin, Sigrun
- Department of Crop Production Ecology, Swedish University of Agricultural Sciences
Research article2024Peer reviewed
Seid, Hadia; Kessy, John; Sigrun Dahlin, A.; Asfaw, Zebene
This study aimed to investigate smallholder farmers’ perceptions of the integration of avocado cultivars into farmlands and the influencing factors in Upper Gana and Jewe Kebele, Central Ethiopia. Household surveys and key informant interviews were conducted. Household survey data were obtained from a purposive sample of 164 avocado growers using a semi-structured questionnaire. Key informant interviews were conducted using a snowball approach. Descriptive statistics and regression analyses were used for data analysis. The results showed that Hass, Ettinger, and Nabal were the avocado cultivars preferred by respondents. Home gardens and fruit orchards were the most preferred niches for avocado cultivation. About 64% of the respondents confirmed the positive effects of avocado farm integration, while 65% expressed concerns about possible adverse effects with annual crops. Limited access to grafted seedlings and low technical expertise in the propagation of avocado cultivars were hinder avocado integration. Regression analysis revealed that land tenure, tree management practices, availability of family labor, low access to grafted seedlings, and farmers’ concerns about potential resource competition between avocados and annual crops had a significant influnce on farmers’ decisions on avocado on farm integration. Thus, understanding farmers’ attitudes is crucial for promoting the adoption of avocado on farm integration.
Smallholder avocado growers; farm integration; resource competition; tree management
Forests, Trees and Livelihoods
2024, Volume: 33, number: 4, pages: 334-350
Agricultural Science
Social Sciences Interdisciplinary
Horticulture
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1080/14728028.2024.2374255
https://res.slu.se/id/publ/131313