A review on the indigenous multipurpose agroforestry tree species in Ethiopia: management, their productive and service roles and constraints

Abstract

Tree planting has a long history in Ethiopia and managing indigenous multipurpose trees is widely adopted by farmers, as a dominant feature of agricultural landscapes. Farmers manage different indigenous multipurpose tree species within agroforestry practices. But variability in agroecological conditions causes inconsistency on tree species selection, their intended benefits and ecological services. Management practices and current constraints on them were also the major issues on indigenous multipurpose agroforestry tree species in Ethiopia. Therefore, this article was initiated to review on indigenous multipurpose agroforestry tree species in Ethiopia, management practices applied to them, their productive and service roles and constraints. It found that Cordia africana, Millettia ferruginea, Erythrina brucei and Olea capensis are the major indigenous multipurpose tree species used in agroforestry systems in southern Ethiopia. Croton macrostachyus, Vernonia amygdalina, Faidherbia albida, Acacia nilotica, Acacia seyal and Grewia bicolour are found in the northern part of Ethiopia. Albizia gummifera, Cordia africana, Croton macrostachyus, Ficus vasta and Vernonia amygdalina are also found in the central highlands of Ethiopia. They are established through natural regeneration and farmers apply pruning, pollarding and coppicing tree management practices to harmonize their survival with integrated crops. Fruit, fodder, wood, timber and cash generation are the major productive roles of these tree species. In addition to these, they also have agroecological services through improving soil fertility, controlling erosion, mitigating climate change and conserving biological diversity. Despite their considerable uses and services; inadequate research and extension; shortage of knowledge; the expansion of cash crops and the small size of land holdings constrain the sustainability of these tree species. The government could encourage the wider use of agroforestry practices by policies to expand research and extension services. In addition to this, policy makers and agricultural development interventions should be encouraged to make more informed decisions regarding further research on indigenous multipurpose tree species in Ethiopia.