Effect of Eucalyptus camaldulensis stand Conversion into Crop Production on Growth and Yield of Maize: the case of Koga Watershed Areas in northwestern Ethiopia

Farmers in the highlands of Ethiopia commonly plant eucalypts on their farmlands. However, growing eucalypt is becoming a great concern due to its alleged long-term site effect. In view of this, a study was conducted in Koga watershed, northwestern Ethiopia, to investigate whether croplands afforested with Eucalyptus camaldulensis can be reused for annual crop production after its removal. In this study, we compared growth and yield of maize between adjacent clear-felled E. camaldulensis stands and continuously cultivated farms at three paired sites. Plant height, leaf area, dry matter production and grain weight were evaluated as parameters for maize growth and yield. Maize plants grown on clear-felled eucalypt stands were taller and developed larger leaf areas than those grown on  continuously cultivated farms. Dry matter production and grain yield were also significantly higher in maize plants established on clear-felled eucalypt stands. Farmers also responded that the growth and yield of maize grown on the clear-felled eucalypt stands were better than those grown on continuously cultivated farms. The results suggest that contrary to the popular belief, agricultural lands afforested with eucalypts can be re-used for annual crop production.Keywords: Clear-felled stands, Croplands, Crop performance, Farmers’ perception, Ethiopia

Non-carbon benefits for effective implementation of REDD+: The case of Bale Mountains Eco-Region, Southeastern Ethiopia

The study was conducted in four districts, namely Nansebo, Harenna Buluk, Dolo Mena and Dodolla, Southeastern Ethiopia with the following objectives - to: (i) investigate species richness and similarity, diversity, evenness and stand structure of the woody species; (ii) determine the amount of carbon stock stored in the above-ground biomass of woody species; (iii) establish the relationship between the Shannon diversity indices and carbon stock, (iv) identify the most important forest non-carbon benefits obtained by the local communities from the forests; and (v) determine contribution of forest resources to the local economy when compared with other incomes generated from agriculture, including livestock. Data generated by FARM Africa were used to achieve objectives (i) - (iii). To achieve objectives (iv) and (v), a focus group discussion and household survey were conducted. A total of 125 species of woody species, representing at least 45 families and 77 genera, were recorded. The Shannon diversity and evenness indices of the woody species ranged between 2.8 (Dodolla) and 3.5 (Harenna Buluk) and 0.79 (Nansebo) to 0.82 (Dolo Mena), respectively. The woody species had densities ranging from 550 (Dodolla) to 2106 (Harena Buluk) individuals ha-1. The above ground carbon stock stored ranged between 148.88 (Dodolla) and 246.27 (Dolo Mena) tons ha-1. About 10 products and services were mentioned by the respondents as important non carbon benefits from the forests. The non-carbon benefit with the highest contributions in the three districts was fuelwood, while coffee had the highest contribution in Dolo Mena. The contribution of forests to the local economy was significantly compared with other incomes. Forests contributed 40.2% to the household income in Harenna Buluk District and 18.8% in Nansebo District. Considering non-carbon benefits in the design and implementation of reducing emissions from deforestation and forest degradation (REDD+) is important to ensure its acceptance by local communities.Keywords: Bale, eco-region, non-carbon benefit, reducing emissions from deforestation and degradation (REDD+)

Ethno-veterinary practices amongst livestock farmers in Ngamiland district, Botswana

We carried out a study to determine ethno-veterinary knowledge used to treat and prevent livestock diseases in Toteng Village in Ngamiland District, northwestern Botswana. Primary data were collected through simple random sampling of 45 households in Toteng. Respondents were either livestock owners or cattle herders. Respondents were interviewed using a structured questionnaire which had both open and closed-ended questions. Cattle ownership or herdership in Toteng is an inter-generational occupation with people ranging from 15 to 94 years old. Cattle wereacquired either through inheritance, buying, mafisa (reciprocal exchange) system or government scheme. Women in the study area were more involved in livestock farming activities. Eleven livestock diseases were reported to be prevalent in the study area. The top six diseases were tlhako le molomo -foot and mouth disease (FMD), matlho - eye infections, letshololo-diarrhea, madi -pasteurollosis, mokokomalo - aphosphorisis and pholoso- contagious abortion. At least nine medicinal plant species having ethno-veterinary applications were recorded in the study area. Single plants are mostly used rather than a combination of plants. A number of social strategies were mentioned such as ‘go fetola mafudiso’ - to change grazing areas, and ‘go thaa lesaka’ – to ritualistically ‘protect a kraal’ or livestock against evil spells and predators (lions). Although the intervention of conventional veterinary medicine is pervasive in Toteng,and many livestock owners are resorting to it, there is evidence, however, of generalized ethno-veterinary knowledge used to treat and prevent livestock diseases. Local farmers and their herders in Ngamiland are not only knowledgeable and experienced in treating a range of livestock diseases, but also in performing other veterinary tasks such as assisting in births, treating fractures and range management strategies to mitigate particular threats from their local environment. The efficacy of ethno-veterinary knowledge for preventing and treating livestock diseases andrange management strategies identified in this study need to be fully investigated and integrated in veterinary extension services.Key words: Okavango Delta, ethnoveterinary medicine, livestock diseases, indigenous Knowledge, traditional medicinal Plants, ethnodiagnostic skills

Ethnomedicinal plant knowledge and practice of the Oromo ethnic group in southwestern Ethiopia

An ethnomedicinal study was conducted to document the indigenous medicinal plant knowledge and use by traditional healers in southwestern Ethiopia from December 2005 to November 2006. Data were collected from 45 randomly selected traditional healers using semi-structured interviews and observations. Sixty-seven ethnomedicinal plant species used by traditional healers to manage 51 different human ailments were identified and documented. Healers' indigenous knowledge was positively correlated with their reported age but not with their educational level. High degree of consensus was observed among traditional healers in treating tumor (locally known as Tanacha), rabies (Dhukuba Seree) and insect bite (Hadhaa). The use of more than one species was significantly cited for remedy preparations. The reported abundance of the ethnomedicinal plant species varied significantly with respect to the presence of multiple uses of the reported species. Our results showed that ethnomedicinal plant species used by healers are under serious threat due to several factors, which indicates the need for urgent attention towards their conservation and sustainable utilization