THE CONTRIBUTION OF COFFEE FARMING IN ECOLOGICAL RESTORATION : A CASE STUDY FROM GIDA AYANA DISTRICT, WESTERN

Abstract

The objective of this study was to explore the significance of coffee farming to environmental restoration in the Gida Ayana District. The data was collected via questionnaire, interview, observation and secondary sources as well. Data were analyzed using both quantitative and qualitative methods of data analyses. The findings showed that, status of coffee farming was increasing after recent time. The households were practiced semi- forest coffee farming system and dominantly produce Arabica coffee in the study area. In terms of preferability, the study revealed that, the majority of altitude differences, temperature and rain fall condition was favorable for coffee farming in the study area. This study showed that, coffee yield was more profitable from small plot of land than cereal crops yields earn from large plot of land in the study area. The study also revealed that environmental consequences of deforestation includes the decline of soil fertility, a relatively increase in local temperature, and decline in amount of rainfall and loss of biodiversity were observed in high rate change in the study area. The study also shows that, in the study area, coffee producers were planted coffee tree on their farmland that did not has tree and did not suitable to plough for cereal crops cultivation. The steps of produce coffee tree on degraded land in the study area was used to regenerating fertile soil and cover treeless land. Such steps that, first prepare land, second plant shrubs and coffee shade and finally plant coffee tree. Through this process coffee producers were made environmental rehabilitation. In case of economic and livelihood support of coffee farming, the finding concluded that, all most coffee producers were observed high changes on their different livelihood and economic importance in the study area. But, as the findings indicated that, the awareness of environmental benefits of coffee farming was not yet made both by the government and farmers. As well, institutional and policy related supports were constraint in the study area. In view of existing problem, all concern body (government and non-government organization and farmers) recommended emphasis on the awareness of environmental protection and climate maintains benefits of coffee farming. Coffee producers should better to prefer forest/semi forest coffee farming system, which are more preferable for environmental management.