Journal of Agricultural Economics and Rural Development AJAERD Vol. 3(3), pp. 270-278, November, 2017. © www.premierpublishers.org. ISSN: XXXX-XXXX Research Article Assessment of Indigenous Knowledge of Smallholder Farmers on Intercropping Practices in West Hararghe Zone; Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia *Jima Degaga1 and Birhanu Angasu2 1,2Oromia Agricultural Research Institute, Mechara Agricultural Research Center, P.O. Box, Mechara, Ethiopia The study was conducted in three districts of West Hararghe Zone namely; Gemechis, Habro and Mieso districts. The objectives of the survey were: to identify and document indigenous knowledge of farmers towards intercropping, and identify constraints and opportunities of intercropping in the study area. A multi-stage sampling technique was used for the study. Total sample size of 149 households was interviewed and generated both qualitative and quantitative data. Focus Group Discussions were also formed and generated qualitative data. Descriptive statistics and an index score were used to analyze data. Majorly intercropped crops were Maize with Haricot Bean followed by Sorghum with Haricot Bean. The study indicated that drought, lack of knowledge about fertility management and lack of improved technology of intercropped crops were major constraints of intercropping legumes with other crops in the study area. However, declining of land holding size as a result of rise in population and early maturity of legume cops were major opportunities of intercropping in the study area. The study indicated that any research conducted on any intercropping practice in the area should incorporate farmers practice such as times of sowing and types of intercropped crops on intercropping trial, and awareness on soil fertility improvement should be promoted. Keywords: Indigenous knowledge, Simultaneously, Double intercropping, Drought, Grain yield reduction INTRODUCTION Ethiopia's economy is largely based on agriculture, which knowledge has been realized in the design and provides 80-85% of employment and 61% of the total implementation of sustainable development projects (Ajani export (NABC, 2015) and 38.5% of Gross Domestic et al., 2013). Integration of appropriate indigenous Product in 2014/15 (NPC, 2016). Hence, the growth of knowledge systems into development programs has agricultural sector is very important, as it constitutes the already contributed to efficiency; effectiveness and bulk of the national economy in terms of human and sustainable development impact (World Bank, 2000). material resources. However, this sector is characterized Considering such a problem, there had been various by low productivity of land and labor that it failed to make attempts both by extension and research organizations to substantial contribution to the country's economic growth invigorate linkages. Yet, the linkages remain as weak as and to ensure food self-efficiency (Fenta, 2006). the number of times solutions were sought to further strengthen them. In Ethiopia absence of effective linkage between indigenous knowledge and conventional ones has been identified as one of the major problems that hinder *Corresponding author: Jima Degaga, Oromia effectiveness of the development of the agriculture in Agricultural Research Institute, Mechara Agricultural general and of agricultural research and extension system Research Center, P.O. Box, Mechara, Ethiopia. E-mail: in particular (Fenta, 2006). The importance of indigenous [email protected] Assessment of Indigenous Knowledge of Smallholder Farmers on Intercropping Practices in West Hararghe Zone; Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia Degaga and Angasu 271 Indigenous knowledge has been defined as for improvement and set clue for police makers to institutionalized local knowledge that has been built up on understand gap concerning different practices. Therefore, and passed on from one generation to other by words of the study aimed to assess the indigenous knowledge of mouth (Ajani et al., 2013). Indigenous knowledge systems small-holder farmers towards intercropping practices in are the complex arrays of knowledge, know-how, practices the study area. and representations that guide human societies in their innumerable interactions with the natural milieu: Objectives of the Study agriculture and animal husbandry; hunting, fishing and gathering; struggles against disease and injury; naming ✓ To identify and document indigenous knowledge and explaining natural phenomena; and strategies for of farmers towards intercropping coping with changing environments (Nakashima and Rou', ✓ To identify constraints and opportunities of 2002). It is the basis for local level decision making in intercropping in the study area. many rural communities. Indigenous knowledge has value not only for the culture in which it evolves but also for scientists and planners striving to improve conditions in RESEARCH METHODOLOGY rural localities. Intercropping is cultivation of two or more crops simultaneously on the same field. It also means the Description of the Study Area growing of two or more crops on the same field with the planting of the second crop after the first one has This study was conducted in three districts (Gemechis, completed its development. The rationale behind Habro &Mieso) of West Hararghe Zone where intercropping is that the different crops planted are unlikely intercropping practices are known very well. Gemechis is to share the same insect pests and disease-causing located at 343km East of Addis Ababa and about 17 km pathogens and to conserve the soil. South of Chiro, which is capital town of the Zone. The district is bordered with Chiro district in West and North, Intercropping is an important feature of cropping systems Oda Bultum district in South, and Mesala district in East. in the tropics (Francis, 1986; Connolly, et al., 2001). The The district is found at altitude ranging from 1300 to common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris) and maize (Zea mays 2400msal. Agro-ecologically, the district has three sub- L.) intercropping is a common feature of crop production climatic zone highlands (15%), midland (45%) and in densely populated areas of Eastern Africa such as lowland (40%). The district is mainly characterized as highlands of Hararghe. The system is very important for steep slopes and mountains with rugged topography. It the intensification of crop production and contributes to receives annual rainfall of 850mm and average increased returns to small-holder farmers in the highlands temperature of 20oC. of Hararghe having a limited land holding (0.6 ha per house hold size of 5.4 members) (CACC, 2001). Habro district is located at 404 km to East of Addis Ababa, Intercropping legumes with non-legume is an important which is capital city of Ethiopia and 75 km to South of feature of many cropping systems in the tropics (Willey, Chiro. The district is boarded by Guba Koricha district in 1979; CIAT, 1986). There are several socio-economic West, Boke district in East, Daro Lebu in South and Oda (Ofori and Stern, 1987), and biological and ecological (Van Bultum in North. Gelamso town is the administrative seat Rheen et al., 1981; Aggarwal et al., 1992; Chemeda, 1996) of the district. The altitude of the district ranges between advantages to intercropping relative to sole-cropping for 1600-2400 m.a.s.l. with minimum and maximum small-holder farmers. Introduction of legume-cereal temperature of 160c and 200c, respectively. The district intercropping into mixed farming systems increases farm receives annual rainfall of 650mm to 1000mm (Aman Tufa income and reduces pressure on land resources (Kassie, and Anteneh Temesgen, 2010). Major food crops grown in 2011). this district were maize, sorghum and haricot bean, and major cash crops grown were coffee and Khat. West Hararghe Zone is known to be densely populated area and has limited land holdings and well known for its Mieso is located at 304km to East of Addis Ababa and best practices and indigenous knowledge in different 25km to West of Chiro. It is bordered by Doba district in intercropping types. Enhancing the production and East direction, Afar Region in West, Chiro district in South productivity in the area with available indigenous technical and Somali Region in North. The district has an area of knowledge will help the improvement of the sector in 257,344 ha. It is located at the latitude of 9o13’59.99” and increasing the sector contribution to National and longitude of 40°45'0". The altitude of the district on Agricultural Gross Domestic Product. Identifying and average is 1332 m.a.s.l. with maximum and minimum documenting indigenous knowledge of farmers towards temperature of 370C and 250C, respectively. The annual intercropping was used to develop appropriate technology rainfall of the district ranges from 500mm to 700mm. Assessment of Indigenous Knowledge of Smallholder Farmers on Intercropping Practices in West Hararghe Zone; Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia J. Agric. Econ. Rural Devel. 272 Figure 1: Political map of the study area Source: Own computation from GIS data, 2017 Sampling Technique were collected from sampled households through structured interview schedule. Five enumerators were Districts and Kebeles were selected purposively in trained and involved in data collection. Data was coded collaboration with zonal and district Office of Agricultural and entered in to SPSS version 20 software for statistical and Natural Resource depending on their agro-ecology and analysis and management. Descriptive