Soil productivity and food security in the central ... · Regional Climate Group 1 Department of Earth Sciences Soil productivity and food security in the central highlands of Ethiopia

Regional Climate Group 1

Department of Earth Sciences

Soil productivity and food security

in the central highlands of Ethiopia

– case studies from Wenchi woreda,

West Shewa, Oromia and Tehuledere woreda,

South Wollo

Staffan Rosell & Mats Olvmo

http://rcg.gvc.gu.se/






Background

• Agriculture is the backbone of the Ethiopian economy

• Socio-economic problems due to climatic conditions. (Omiti et.al,

1999, Camberlain, 1998)

• Regional differences of rainfall in the central highlands (Rosell,

2010)

• A weak livelihoods situation in South Wollo. (Rosell & Holmer, 2007,

Rosell in progress)

• Food security is a problem in South Wollo (Devereux, 2003)

• Low soil fertility in West Shewa (Bekele, T., 20XX)

• Soil erosion is major problem (Hurni, 1993)

• High population pressure (CSA, 2007)




Geographical setting of study areas

Wenchi / West Shewa Tehuledere / South Wollo

Altitude 2000-2600 m.a.s.l 1900-2400 m.a.s.l

Vertisols Vertisols, Cambisols

Foot slope to undulating mountain

slope

Foot slope and hillside

Enset, Tef, Maize, Wheat Tef, Sorghum, Wheat, Barley

Pop density > 260 p /sq km Pop density > 300 / sq km

Annual rainfall 1200 mm Annual rainfall 1200 mm

One long rainy season (April-October) Two rainy seasons (March-May & July-

September)




The aim of this study

• The aim of this study is to analyse soil productivity and

problems with food production that the rural population are

facing. This is done by comparing two villages in Wenchi

Woreda in West Shewa, and also a comparison with a kebbele

in Tehuledere in South Wollo.


































Methods

• 20 soil samples in Wenchi

• 50 Soil samples in South Wollo

• Soil analysis that was conducted was soil texture, Na, K, Ca, Mg, CEC,

Organic matter, pH, Total N, EC, soil texture. The analysis was conducted at

the National soil laboratory in Addis Ababa.

• Semi-structured Interviews with head of households. (in Tehuledere)

• Ten head of households for two group interviews. (in Wenchi)

• Field observations (Soils, soil erosion, type of crop, size of fields, land use)




Results Interviews

HillsideWenchi / West Shewa

Foot slopeWenchi/ West Shewa

Tehuledere /

South Wollo

Farm size 0,25-1 ha 0,5-1,5 ha 0,2-0,6 ha

Problems

according to

farmers

Low soil fertility Good soil fertility Low soil fertility

Rainfall Good climate Good climate Erratic rainfall

Soil erosion Soil erosion Minor problem Soil erosion

Water Access to water a

problem

No problem Access to water a

problem

Food security 33 % Food secure 50 % Food secure Yes a problem




Soil parametres

Wenchi

• Soil parameters within “normal” range except..

• Low magnesium and high calcium

• Organic Content: 3% *

• CEC (Meq/100): 31 *

• C/N ratio: 11.7 *

Tehuledere

• Soil parameters within “normal” range except..

• Very high values of magnesium, CEC and very low organic content.

• Organic Content 1 %*

• CEC (Meq/100): 48*

• C/N ratio: 9.3*

• * sig. diff. 0.05




And more results comparing Enset & crop rotation fields in Wenchi

Enset fields, Wenchi

• High values of EC (ds/m) on Enset fields on the low lying village.

• Organic Content, CEC, T.N., Bas Sa. were all significant difference between crop rotation and enset fields.

Crop rotation fields, Wenchi

• Low Organic Content on crop rotation fields (2.5 %)

• Soil texture on crop rotation on the hillside village is close to 50 % silt content.




Conclusions

•Enset fields most favourable soil parameters.

• Low organic content in Tehuledere makes Wenchi more

favourable for agricultural purposes.

•Few or limited livelihood assets such as small farm areas

is a big problem for food security.

•Soil erosion a threat to farmers food security

•Good soil parameters in general but large variations

within both the two study areas in Wenchi and also in

Tehuledere.

•In contrast to what farmers said generally good soil

parameters.


Documents

Soil productivity and food security in the central ... · Regional Climate Group 1 Department of Earth Sciences Soil productivity and food security in the central highlands of Ethiopia