" the Shift to Cereal Monocropping, a Threat Or a Blessing?” Towards Sustainable Agricultural Production in the Highlands of Southeast Oromia, Ethiopia
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International Centre for development "V oriented Research in Agriculture (ICRA) ICRA Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organisation (EARO) Kulumsa Agricultural Research Centre (KARCp 1 C Oromia Agricultural Development Bureau (OADB) Sinana Agricultural Research Centre (SARC) Ethio-Italian Development co operation Arsi-Bale Rural Development Project (ABRDP) " The shift to cereal monocropping, a threat or a blessing?” Towards sustainable agricultural production in the Highlands of Southeast Oromia, Ethiopia ICRA 2001 Ethiopia Team ^ 7' ^V ‘7 ' W-Jr j ABSTRACT Bale Highlands that are characterised by mixed farming system with both crop and livestock components are now shifting to cereal monocropping due to many reasons. In the present report, the causes and effects behind the shift were analysed and the options for sustainable agricultural development in the bimodal rainfall areas of Bale Highlands were discussed. The research approach followed and the tools and methods used to collect the information were explained. General description of the study area was given. In order to know the causes of this shift, the existing cropping system of both smallholder and large-scale farms was characterised. The interaction and integration of crop and livestock system was described through biological and economic flows. Cost- benefit analysis was also done to know the comparative advantage of monocropping of bread wheat over the other crops. Stakeholders involved and their contribution to the problematique was analysed along with the existing linkages. Plausible research and development options were suggested to diversify the existing cropping system for sustainability in the Highlands. After screening and prioritisation of these options, research proposals were developed for the first four options giving focus on stakeholder collaboration. ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS The team would like to thank the International Centre for development oriented Research in Agriculture (ICRA), Sinana Agricultural Research Centre (SARC) of Oromia Agricultural Development Bureau (OADB), the Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organisation (EARO), the Arsi- Bale Rural Development Project (Ethio-Italian Development Co-operation) for funding/arranging the study. Our appreciation is also extended to the whole staff of Sinana Agricultural Research Centre for their kind co-operation during the whole period of the study and a few names which deserve special thanks, Tafa Jobie (Centre Manger), Dr. Mulugeta Negassa (ABRDP consultant in SARC), Getnet Kebede (Head, Research and Extension Division), Solomon Bogale (Animal feeds and nutrition) and Habtamu Seboka (Agronomy) . The team would like to acknowledge the heads of BZADO, BZPDC, BZCPD, DDPC and DAs of the three districts for provision of necessary information and secondary materials. Thanks go to Dr. Amanule Gorfii (KARC), Dr. Bedada Girma (Co-ordinator, NWRP), Obbo Mohammed Hassena (KARC) and Mr. Fabio Bedini (ABRDP) for sharing their experiences and useful suggestions. Special appreciation goes to EARO-ICRA National co-ordinator, Dr. Aberra Deressa, who helped the team with his valuable suggestions and advice. The team expresses its appreciation to Obbo Aliye Hussen of Oromia Agricultural Research Office for his kind help and interest in the study. The team would like to thank the Non-Governmental Organisations in Robe especially Hundee-Oromia grassroots development initiative, Robe project office and credit organisation, Oromia Credit and Saving Share Company, Sinana-Dinsho District Brach office for sparing their time and expertise. The excellent support and contribution of our reviewer, Dr. Willem Heemskerk must be acknowledged. We would like to acknowledge Dr. Driek Enserink for his effort in arranging the study and help during the preparatory phase of the team in ICRA. Finally, the team would like to appreciate the farmers in the surveyed area who were always ready to meet with us despite the onset of the busy Ganna season. TABLE OF CONTENTS ABSTRACT j ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS ii LIST OF TABLES vi LIST OF FIGURES vii ACRONYMS viii EXECUTIVE SUMMARY ix 1 INTRODUCTION 1 1.1 Context of the Study 1 1.1.1 Institutional framework 1 1.1.2 Justification of the study 2 1.1.3 Objectives of the study 2 1.2 Background 3 1.2.1 General information 3 1.2.2 Role of Agriculture in Ethiopian Economy . 3 1.2.3 South-eastern Oromia and Agriculture 4 1.2.4 Bale Zone 4 1.2.5 Wheat production and marketing 6 1.2.6 The study area 7 2 METHODOLOGY 9 2.1 The research approach 9 2.1.1 Terms Of Reference (TOR) 9 2.1.2 Organising an interdisciplinary team 9 2.1.3 Clarifying the development context 10 2.1.4 Analysing the system of interest 10 2.1.5 Screening the research and development options 10 2 .1.6 Prioritising the Research and Development options 10 2.1.7 Formulating Research Proposals 10 2.2 The Research Process, Methods and Tools 12 2.2.1 Preparatory phase 12 2.2.2 Introductory Workshops 12 2.2.3 Secondary'data analysis 12 2 2.4 Stakeholder interviews 13 2.2.5 Reconnaissance survey 13 2.2.6 Site selection 13 2.2.7 In-depth study 14 2 2.8 Hypothetical Typology 15 2 2.9 Mid-term workshop 15 2 2.10 Final Typology 15 2.2.11 Screening and prioritising options 15 2 2.12 Report writing 16 2 2.13 Final workshop 16 3 CEREAL BASED FARMING SYSTEMS IN THE BALE HIGHLANDS 17 3.1 Agro-ecoiogical Zonatioo 17 3.1.1 General 17 iii 3.1.2 Land use 18 3.1.3 Land Tenure 18 3.2 Household typology 19 3.2.1 Arable Land ownership 19 3.2.2 Oxen ownership 19 3.2.3 Access to road and Market 19 3.2.4 Access to information and technology 20 3.3 Small-scale fanning systems 20 3.3.1 Trends in the farming system 20 3.3.2 Livelihood System 24 3.3.3 Resource flows in the farming system 27 3.3.4 Activity Chart 31 3.3.5 Access and control 33 3.4 Cropping system 36 3.5 Livestock system 42 3.6 Large scale farming system 49 3.6.1 Bale Agricultural Development Enterprise 49 3.6.2 Problems, decisions, recommendations 54 4 STAKEHOLDER ANALYSIS 56 4.1 Stakeholder analysis 56 4.1.1 Identification of Stakeholders and their Interests 56 4.1.2 Relative importance and influence of the stakeholders 56 4.1.3 Stakeholders' Linkage Matrix 58 4.2 Agricultural Knowledge and information system 59 4.2.1 Indigenous knowledge 59 4.2.2 Information sources 60 4.2.3 Information carriers 62 4.2.4 Information management 62 5 CEREAL MONOCROPPING 66 5.1 Cost-benefit anafysis/Comparative analysis 66 5.1.1 Result of the cost-benefit analysis for small holder farmers 66 5.1.2 Sensitivity analysis in terms of price change and yield change 69 5.1.3 Comparative analysis of small holder farm and large scale farm 69 5.1.4 Ui Oi Risk and potential of wheat production in the context of long-term market and globalisation 70 5.2 Constraints and opportunities of cereal monocropping 72 5.2.1 Constraints 72 5.2.2 Effects of monocropping 73 5.2.3 Causes of monocropping 74 5.2.4 Opportunities 75 6 RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT OPTIONS 77 6 1 Justification 77 6.1.1 Research options 78 6.1.2 Research and Development options 81 6.1.3 Development options 83 6.2 Screening and prioritisation of research and development options 84 6.2.1 Screening R &D options 84 6.2.2 Prioritisation of R & D options 85 v/._. / v . .v . 86 6.3.1 Intended beneficiaries assessment 86 iv 6.3.2 Research feasibility in SARC and Possibility of research collaboration 89 7 OUTLINE OF RESEARCH PROPOSALS 92 ANNEXES 101 Annexe I The flow chart of ARD-procedure used in the study i Annexe II Terms of Reference ii Annexe III Core programme of ICRA course ix Annexe IV List of stakeholders X Annexe V Logical Framework xi Annexe VI Work plan of ICRA-Sinana 2001 field study xiii Annexe VII Research Plan for 2001 Ethiopia-ICRA field study in south-east Oromia XV Annexe VIII List of participants in the Workshops xix Annexe IX Preliminary Household typology criteria XX Annexe X Crops grown in the study area xxi Annexe XI Crops grown in different seasons in the study area xxii Annexe XII Cost analysis of wheat production at the state farms -Sinana and Robe xxiii Annexe XIII Key Stakeholders and interests identified XXV' Annexe XIV Stakeholders involved in cereal monocropping in Bale Highland xxvi Annexe XV Stakeholders contribution to cereal monocropping and diversification xxvii Annexe XVI Crop production budgeting with lower price of small holder farmer xxix Annexe XVII Crop production budgeting with higher price of small holder farmer XXX Annexe XVTII Sensitivity analysis of crop budgeting xxxi Annexe XIX Wheat and barley production budgeting of state farms xxxiii Annexe XX Cost-benefit comparison between state farm and small holder farm xxxiii Annexe XXI Cereal production, marketable surplus and food aid in Bale zone xxxiv Annexe XXII Introduced and other problematic weeds found in the study area xxxiv Annexe XXIII SWOT analysis of small holder production system in Bale highlands xxxiv Annexe XXIV SWOT analysis of large-scale production system in Bale Highlands XXXV Annexe XXV Research and development options as per the target group XXXV Annexe XXVI Screening and priority setting process xxxvi Annexe XXVII Proposals xxxix Annexe XXVIII List of Documents consulted Ix V LIST OF TABLES Table 1.1 Basic population and land use statistics in Bale Zone and three target Districts........4 Table 1.2Main crops in Bale Zone and three target districts............................................................ 5 Table 1.3Basic livestock population data in Bale Zone and three target districts.......................