ASSESSMENT OF AGROFORESTY PRACTICE AND THEIR CONTRIBUTION ON SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION: IN CASE OF YEFEREZYE KEBELE GURAGE ZONE CENTERAL ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The study was conducted at Yeferezye kebele to assess agroforestry practices and their contribution on soil and water conservation with specific objectives to identify the agro forestry practice including alley cropping, boundary planting, home gardens, boundary planting, and Silvopastoral systems ,which were existed in the area, to know farmer`s perception on the contribution of soil and water conservation. the study identify the challenges of agroforestry practices including loss of organic matter and nutrient when trees harvest, Nutrient moisture computation between trees and crops, Inadequate Policy Support, Lack of Market Access for Agroforestry Products and Slow Return on Investment. By considering purposive sampling techniques and using Yamane’s formula 89 household sample size followed by random sampling techniques arranged by alphabetical order to select individual respondents was used, then after both primary and secondary data was collected through interviewing and observation. The study recommends include implementing Strengthening Awareness and Knowledge Sharing, Enhancing Policy Support and Institutional Involvement, Providing Financial and Technical Support, Encourage Agroforestry as Part of Integrated Land Management and Promote Indigenous and Adapted Tree Species. After collecting data both quantitative (descriptive statistics) and qualitative data analysis was carried out and the result was presented using table and figure.