Natural resource under threat: an analysis of the farming systems of Gimbo wereda, Kafa-sheka zone, Ethiopia

Situated in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples' Regional State, Kafa-Sheka Zone is famous for its natural resources, in which semi-domesticated coffee, honey and spices naturally abound. The zones is equally reputed for being the cradle land of arabica coffee. The recent past has witnessed a tremendous increase in population, which is largely attributed to the influx of settlers. these settles, among others introduced cereal-based farming practises that have exerted immense pressure on the natural resource base. Using the agricultural Research for Development procedure, this study seeks to examine the causes of rapid deforestation in the zone; identify the farming systems and; analyse the constraints and opportunities for sustainable natural resource management in these systems. The study proposes research and development options aimed at mitigating the identified constraints and highlights areas of collaboration among the various stakeholders. Accordingly, bsec on scale of deforestation, three zones were identified, from which four farming systems were delineated. Based on size of arable land, ownership of oxen and acess to forestland, eleven farm types were outlined, three in the cereal zone and four in each of the other two (forest-coffee and transition) zones. The study identified no distinct relationship between ethnic group and farming practises. It revealed a subsistence based, rainfed farming system, with rather low level of crop-livestock integration, a trend that is likely to persist in the future. Threats to the natural resource base take the form of expansion of farmland at the expense of forests, poor agronomic practises, and increased demand for fuelwood and timber for domestic use. Collaboration among stakeholders, conductive policy framework (land, investmet, and wildlife), diversification in the farm level enterprises and institutional support (extension services, credit, & rural infrastructure) are suggested areas that offer scope for improvement. The study concludes by proposing nine research and development options, two of which have been generated into research proposals for further elaboration and implementation by the stakeholders.