Socio Economic Contribution of Lowland Bamboo (Oxythenanthera Abyssinica) in Pawe District, Ethiopia

Zeleke Melese

doi:10.7176/jnsr/10-9-03

Abstract

The Study was conducted in Pawe district, Benishangul-Gumuz National Regional State, northwestern Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to evaluate socio-economic aspects of low land bamboo (Oxythenanthera abyssinica). For this study, two villages were selected based on random sampling technique., Data were collected from a total of 136 households. Households were selected using simple random sampling technique. The collected raw data were systematically coded and analyzed using descriptive statistics. A weighed direct matrix likert scale ranking of species was used to evaluate low land bamboo and others tree species based on multipurpose value. Inferential statistical, linear regression model was employed to find out the relationship between incomes generated from Low Land Bamboo and some selected socioeconomic factors (independent variables). The study result indicated that Out of the sampled households, 50 % and 37.5% of the respondents ranked Mangifera indica and Lowland bamboo (Oxythenanthera abyssinica) first and second, respectively while Melia azedirachta L. and Cordia africana were preferred third (8.1%) and fourth (2.9%), respectively. Among the socio-economic characteristics considered land holding size was positively and highly significantly related to income generated by households (p < 0.01). Therefore, the policies and strategies that improve the welfare of rural people especially the poor and the land less HHs and use of bamboo for natural resource conservation should be given attention. Additionally, government and NGOs should support and encourage cultivation of lowland bamboo and lowland bamboo based activities as part of the diversified livelihood strategies. Keywords: Low Land Bamboo, socio economics, income. DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/10-9-03 Publication date: May 31 st 2020

Highlights

IntroductionMore than 1,500 species and 90 genera of bamboo are found in the world, covering 36 million ha of land which is distributed in the tropical and sub-tropical belt between 460 north and 470 south latitude at elevations as high as 4000 m above sea level (FAO, 2007)[3]
In terms of area coverage, 67 % of the African and more than 7% of the world bamboo resource is found in Ethiopia (Ensermu et al, 2000; Kassahun Embaye, 2003; Seyoum Kelemwork, 2008)[2,5,11]
Analysis of socio-economic aspects of lowland bamboo (Oxythenanthera abyssinica) 3.1.1 Farmers’ preference of bamboo species In study area about five tree species are dominantly used for household use to fulfill basic needs (Table 3.1)

Summary

Introduction

More than 1,500 species and 90 genera of bamboo are found in the world, covering 36 million ha of land which is distributed in the tropical and sub-tropical belt between 460 north and 470 south latitude at elevations as high as 4000 m above sea level (FAO, 2007)[3]. Regarding their abundances 65%, 28% and 7% of the world bamboo are found in Asia, America and Africa, respectively (FAO, 2007)[3]. Out of which the high land bamboo comprises about 130,000 ha and low land bamboo covers over 850,000 ha (Ensermu et al, 2000; Kassahun Embaye, 2003)[2,5]

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Results

Conclusion