Contributions of Eucalyptus Plantations in the Highlands of Ethiopia
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Date
2023-01-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The objective of this study was to come-out with the benefits of eucalyptus plantions to household livelihoods and food security through a comparative analysis of eucalyptus growers and non-growers in Girar Jarso Woreda, highland of Ethiopia. Data for the study was obtained both from primary and secondary sources through document reviews, household surveys, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and field observations. The study utilized HFIAS, MAHFP and CSI as the main food security assessment tools in addition to exploring the economic contribution of eucalyptus plantation to household livelihood and food security through household survey. Data was analysed qualitatively and quantitatively after administering the survey on 165 sampled households. According to this study, 100%, 91% and 69% of the eucalyptus grower households reported they plant eucalyptus trees for the purpose of mainly to generate additional income, meet own in-kind needs (construction, fencing & firewood requirements), and to replace the declining crop yield, respectively. The study revealed that eucalyptus takes only 14% of the total land holding per HH even if it is the second most source of income for the households. Respondent households indicated that income from eucalyptus products contribute to household food security through covering food needs during months of food gap, immediate cash during shocks, purchase of agricultural inputs and in-house food and non-food items for the households. The study using the HFIAS scale indicated that only about 45% and 34% of the respondents fall under food secure households both for eucalyptus growers and non-growers, respectively. Observed through a regression analysis that food insecurity increases with increasing age and family size of the households, whereas household land holding size for non-eucalyptus growers, have significantly shown an inverse relationship with increasing household food insecurity. Income from eucalyptus didn’t show any significant relationship with increasing or decreasing food insecurity. The study from consumption coping strategy showed that about 20% and 14% of the households behave to practice high coping strategy both for eucalyptus growers and non-growers, respectively. The assessment using the MAHFP indicated that compared to non-eucalyptus growers, euclyptus growers have more sustaining household livelihood and better food security status due to the significant contribution of eucalyptus plantation. Eucalayptus plantations in the highlands of Ethiopia needs high government attention due to its dominant plantation and the high dependence of households for their livelihoods and food security.
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eucalyptus, livelihood, food security, coping strategy, household