Research Article
Assessment of Constraints Identification and Profitability Analysis of Major Crops Pumped Irrigation in West Shewa and East Wollega, Western Oromia, Ethiopia
Shelema Refera*,
Gudeta Genemo
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 1, February 2026
Pages:
1-7
Received:
9 December 2025
Accepted:
30 December 2025
Published:
20 January 2026
Abstract: West Shewa and East wollega Zones have a promising climatic condition for irrigation, considering irrigation potential of zones irrigation pump has been distributed for small holder pumped irrigation to increase major irrigated crops production and productivity. Thus, this study was tailored to assess the constraints and financial profitability of major pump irrigated crops with a view to update information that are already documented in the literature. This research contributes to a better understanding of the financial profitability of pumped irrigated agricultural crops. Multistage and purposive sampling method was used to select the farmers for the surveys. The sample has covered irrigation pump user on proportion to size basis. The primary data were generated through conducting a well-designed farm level survey. The survey was conducted covering 237 Small holder pumped irrigator. A profit function approach was used to examine profitability of major pumped irrigation in study areas. The major problems of pumped small holder irrigation were technical issues, economic barriers, socio-institutional factors and environmental pressures. Financial profitability has been estimated for Wheat, cabbage, Tomato, potato, Onion and green pepper and Onion had the highest Net farm income of 47569.30ETB followed by Tomato which has NFI of 40651.85ETB. Although the returns from onion were high as compared to the other crops considered, tomato were widely grown by the farmers in the study areas. Thus, concerned bodies should support pumped irrigation farmers to expand onion and tomato production by reducing other irritated crops in order o increase farm income from pumped irrigation. Irrigation researchers should work on water productivity increment.
Abstract: West Shewa and East wollega Zones have a promising climatic condition for irrigation, considering irrigation potential of zones irrigation pump has been distributed for small holder pumped irrigation to increase major irrigated crops production and productivity. Thus, this study was tailored to assess the constraints and financial profitability of ...
Show More
Research Article
Post-intervention Analysis: Tree Species Diversity and Biomass Production in Agroforestry Systems Under Project Intervention and No-intervention Areas in Eastern Rwanda
Issue:
Volume 14, Issue 1, February 2026
Pages:
8-17
Received:
25 December 2025
Accepted:
8 January 2026
Published:
30 January 2026
DOI:
10.11648/j.ajaf.20261401.12
Downloads:
Views:
Abstract: Agroforestry is widely promoted as an ecosystem-based adaptation strategy to enhance climate resilience, restore degraded landscapes, and support smallholder livelihoods. However, empirical evidence on how project-supported agroforestry interventions influence tree species composition, stocking density, and biomass accumulation remains limited. This study assessed tree and shrub diversity, stocking density, and aboveground biomass across different agroforestry practices in Kayonza District, Eastern Rwanda, comparing project intervention sites supported by the LDCF II Ecosystem-based Adaptation approach project with no intervention areas. Using systematic band transects covering 26 sampling units, all woody species were inventoried and measured for diameter and height, and aboveground biomass was estimated using an allometric equation. A total of 39 species were recorded in no-intervention areas and 36 species in intervention areas, with both systems dominated by a small number of widely preferred species, including Eucalyptus spp., Grevillea robusta, Mangifera indica, Persea americana, Euphorbia tirucalli, and Senna spp. Tree and shrub density was four times higher in intervention areas (172 stems ha-1) than in non-intervention areas (43 stems ha-1), while diameter class distributions were dominated by small trees (<10cm DBH) in both zones. Despite smaller average tree sizes, intervention areas exhibited substantially higher aboveground biomass (15.33 t ha-1) compared to no-intervention areas (4.51 t ha-1), largely due to higher stocking density and wider adoption of biomass-efficient practices. Scattered trees on farm consistently ranked highest in biomass contribution across both zones. These findings demonstrate that targeted agroforestry interventions can rapidly enhance landscape-level biomass and carbon sequestration potential, even at early stages of tree establishment. To sustain and maximize these benefits, future interventions should prioritize agroforestry practice diversification, adaptive management, greater integration of native species and long-term monitoring to balance productivity, biodiversity, and income.
Abstract: Agroforestry is widely promoted as an ecosystem-based adaptation strategy to enhance climate resilience, restore degraded landscapes, and support smallholder livelihoods. However, empirical evidence on how project-supported agroforestry interventions influence tree species composition, stocking density, and biomass accumulation remains limited. Thi...
Show More
,
FestusManiriho
