THE SOCIO ECONOMIC AND ENVIRONMENTAL ROLES OF ENSET (Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman) IN CHENCHA WOREDA, SOUTH WESTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman) is a multipurpose indigenous crop in Ethiopia. The cultivation of enset is a central farming activity due to its various social, economic and environmental significances for farm households. The main objective of this research was to assess the socio-economic and environmental roles of enset in Chencha woreda, southwestern Ethiopia. To meet the objectives, a mixed method (both qualitative and quantitative) research approaches were employed. To determine the size of sample kebeles, random sampling technique was utilized. In this case, 209 sample households were selected from four kebeles. To supplement and bridge household survey data, focus group discussion, key informant interview and field observation were undertaken. Data were analyzed by both quantitative and qualitative methods, using simple descriptive statistics, frequency, percentage, tables, graphs and photographs. The findings show that enset plays a vital role in the socio-economic life of the people in the study area. In line with this, farm households consider that enset is a cultural identity crop, an indication of status symbol, as a medicinal purpose, primary source of food for farm households and source of livestock feed. Its complex spongy root system form mate-like structure in the root zones and its leaf canopy enabled an excellent mechanism for protecting soil against erosion, runoff and land degradation, conserve soil and moisture and increase soil fertility. Furthermore, it is drought tolerant as compared to root or tuber crops. Based on this research finding the major constraints that hinder the role of enset identified by farmers were disease and lack of disease controlling measures for enset disease. Moreover, the attention given by concerned bodies (government, NGOs and research organizations) to improve the productivity of enset is low. Hence, this research recommends that its sustainability needs close attention from research institutions, government and non-government organizations working in the area.