Jornal de Ciências Agrícolas e Pesquisa de Alimentos
Acesso livre

Abstrato

Apple Production and Soil Fertility Management by Smallholder Farmers in Sentele Watershed in Southern Ethiopia

Getachew Beyene, Nigussie Dechassa, Alemayehu Regassa, Lemma Wogi

Production of apple (Malus domestica Borkh) has been promoted in Ethiopia owing to suitable agro-ecology in the highlands of the country with the aim of improving farmers’ income and livelihoods. However, achievements from apple production have so far remained minimal due to a number of constraints. Low soil fertility and its management are major factors that constrain productivity of the crop in the country. Therefore, this research was conducted to understand the status of apple production and identify soil fertility problems as well as soil fertility management practices that apple producing smallholder farmer conduct in Sentele watershed of southern Ethiopia. A survey of 120 apple growing households (HHs) was conducted using a semi-structured questionnaire from three purposely selected villages in three districts of the region. The districts, villages, and apple growing farmers were sampled purposively. Furthermore, key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations were used as the main tools of data collection. Descriptive statistics were used for analyzing the data. The results of study revealed that all farmers engaged in apple production perceived a deteriorating status of soil fertility and carried out some soil fertility management practices. They are using compost, mulch, and intercropping integrated or alone with any available recommendations. Accordingly, about 36% of the apple producing households practiced integrated compost, mulch, and intercropping; 23% used integrated compost and mulch; 14% used integrated compost and intercropping, and 5% used mulch and intercropping. Shortage of labor, money, composting materials, time consumption and access to extension service were major constraints to manage soil fertility for the crop. Similarly, apple diseases, lack of improved apple varieties, poor access to market, and lack of orchard equipment, poor soil fertility, and shortages of land and irrigation water are other problems that constrain apple production. Household characteristics, namely, sex, level of education, family size, and apple producing experience were positively and significantly correlated with soil fertility management practices whereas age, marital status, land size and area covered by apple trees were not associated with the practices. It is concluded that apple production is challenged by numerous constraints and farmers need access to evidence-based recommendations to sustainably manage soil fertility and improve productivity of apple trees, their incomes, and livelihoods.