Challenges and responses to agricultural practices in Gerado area, South Wello, Ethiopia

• Published in: International journal of environmental studies 2010-08, Vol.67 (4), p.583-598
• Main Author: Bahir, Asmamaw Legass
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Agricultural practices; Agriculture; Agronomy. Soil science and plant productions; Animal, plant and microbial ecology; Applied ecology; Biological and medical sciences; Conservation, protection and management of environment and wildlife; Economics; Environmental studies; Ethiopia; Food security; Foods; Fundamental and applied biological sciences. Psychology; General agroecology; General agroecology. Agricultural and farming systems. Agricultural development. Rural area planning. Landscaping; General agronomy. Plant production; General aspects; Generalities. Agricultural and farming systems. Agricultural development; Land degradation; Nutrients; Rural areas; Security; Shortages
• ISSN: 0020-7233; 1029-0400
• DOI: 10.1080/00207233.2010.503052

This paper presents the results of a study in rural areas of Ethiopia into the problems facing peasant farmers and ameliorating those problems so as to produce food security. The research, using both quantitative and qualitative research methods, identified a range of social, economic and natural problems for the agricultural activity of the area. Furthermore, the shortage of draught animals, nutrient depletion and food insecurity were serious for many households. Hence, the local people used various structural and biological land management techniques and they diversified their sources of income to minimise the constraints of land degradation and the impact of food insecurity.