Understanding cactus pear status for improved ecosystem services in northern Ethiopia

Abstract

Prickly pear (Opuntia ficus-indica) is a multipurpose plant in drylands. The objective of this study was to synthesize the livelihood benefits, survival threats and management of cactus pear in Tigray (Ethiopia). Metadata were generated from 63 available articles. Accidental interviews (n = 35) and frequent field observations were also used to substantiate the metadata. Descriptive statistics and descriptions were used to analyze the data. In the meta-analysis, cactus is a viable biological measure to maintain soil quality and moisture, as it has high water use efficiency. In addition, cactus provides an average yield of 16.20 ± 8.33 tons fruits per ha. The plant is also a source of income and a live fence in low rainfall sites. The dryland plant has bridged the food and forage gaps. The cochineal insect, which eats only cactus, was introduced for a dyeing business. However, mismanagement of the insects invaded vast cactus-rich sites at an alarming rate. The infested areas increased from 17 villages in 2011 to 139 villages in 2018 with an average damage of 3,890 ha of cactus per year. The study highlights that research institutions and Tigray government have failed to address the cochineal infestation for about 15 years. Consequently, the poor farmers received neither cactus benefits from harvesting carmine nor other ecosystem services. Therefore, we suggest that integrated pest management efforts and expansion of cactus plantations along the western escarpment in the Rift Valley improve food availability and defend the landscape against the expansion of desertification in northern Ethiopia.