MATTU UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCE AND HUMANITY

DEPARTEMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES
TITLE:-THE IMPACT OF TRADITIONAL FARMING ACTIVITY
ON AGRICULTURALA PRODUCTION IN ALBUK WOREDA IN CASE OF SOBA
AND JEBEL KEBELE
PROPOSAL THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND
ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES IN PARTIOL FULFILLMENT OF THE
REQUIREMANTS FOR DEGREE OF BACH ELOR OF ART {BA} IN GEOGRAPHY
AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES.
BY; ENDRIS YIMER
ADVISOR;_____________

MATTU ETHIOIPIA

FEB: 2016
ACRONOMY

ADOS- Agricultural development office

CSA- Central statistical agency
GDP- Gross domestic production
HHS- House holds
MOA- Ministry of agriculture
PA- Peasant association
CHAPTER ONE..............................................................................................................................................5
1.1. Back ground of the study area..........................................................................................................5
1.2. Statement of the problems...............................................................................................................6
1.3 Objective of the study........................................................................................................................6
1.3.1.General objectives......................................................................................................................6
1.3.2. Specific objective.......................................................................................................................6
1.4. Research Question............................................................................................................................7
1.5. Significance of the study...................................................................................................................7
1.6. The scope of the study......................................................................................................................7
1.7. Organization of the paper.................................................................................................................7
2. CHAPTER TWO.........................................................................................................................................8
2.1. Review of related literature..............................................................................................................8
2.1.1. Concept of traditional farming.................................................................................................8
2.1.2. The impact of traditional Farming system.................................................................................8
2.1.3. Agricultural production..............................................................................................................9
2.1.4. Farming implement...................................................................................................................9
2.1.5. Technical and institutional problems.........................................................................................9
2.1.6 Soil degradation........................................................................................................................10
2.1.7 Methods of farming system......................................................................................................10
2.1.8 Knowledge of farmers...............................................................................................................10
2.1.9. Factors hindered farmers to improve their agricultural production........................................10
3. CHAPTER THREE.....................................................................................................................................11
3.1 Description of the study..................................................................................................................11
3.1.1 Location....................................................................................................................................11
3.1.2 Population characteristics.........................................................................................................12
3.1.3 Climate......................................................................................................................................12
3.1.4 Vegetation................................................................................................................................13
3.1.5 Soils...........................................................................................................................................13
3.1.6 Social infrastructure..................................................................................................................13
3.1.7 Social activity............................................................................................................................13
3.2 research methodology.....................................................................................................................13
3.2.1 Research design........................................................................................................................13
3.2.2 Source of data...........................................................................................................................14
3.2.3. Sampling techniques................................................................................................................14
3.2.5. Method of data analyzed.........................................................................................................14
CHAPTER ONE
1.1. Back ground of the study area
Traditional farming system is technically and technologically primitive. The land is formed to
provide sustenance .Avery thing that is produce is needed for survival or subsistence{Alemayehu
2004}.In most of African countries, 80 percent of the population make its life based on
agriculture {Demeke, 2006}.Agriculture provide more employment opportunities and
contributes more to the total value of production in Africa than any economic activities.
However, the agricultural practice of most people’s is in efficient.
Farming is the major modes of activates in many country. Ethiopia is one of the World poorest
countries and receives the most food aid of the World the majority of the population engaged in
subsistence agriculture (Barry, 2003).
The impact of traditional farming is a serious in Ethiopia. All most 80 percent of people are
depended on agriculture, but this people Are not used modern farming system and technology in
spite, of this serious impact are occurred in Ethiopia like, low production of land, drought,
erosion( Ibid , 2006).The farming system in the study area is characterized by mixed farming.
The agro climate condition of this area is favorable for cultivation of diversified types of crop
and rear deferent species of animals. However production is under taken only in the rainy season
(Getanhe mossue, 2001).
Generally traditional farming system have its own effect on socioeconomic development,
environment and decreasing the crop production and soil fertility in the area .However their
impact on the agriculture activates of the study area remains unclear. Therefore the need to study
the impact of traditional farming practices in Soba And Jebel kebele on agricultural activates.
Investing this has importance to improve soil fertility and environmental and their by product
and farmers livelihood.
1.2. Statement of the problems

Ethiopia is an agrarian country in which agriculture is the back bone of national economy.
Agriculture accounts for about 45 percent of growth domestic production (GDP), and provides
livelihood for more than 85 percent of country’sexport (CSA, 2009). Nevertheless, agricultural
production is very low in Ethiopia.
This is because peasants (small holders), follow traditional farming activities. It is often argued
that agricultural land use planning and social management methods are poorly organized and
practiced in Ethiopia (Engida, 2001).

In spite of its priority as the source of national economy agricultural production is low in the
area. One of the reasons for this should be the traditional farming methods, which leads to low
yields and degradation of the environment (Tadesse, 2001).
It is often argued that farming methods are in their primitive stage of development in Ethiopia. A
result of this, a traditional farming method, the living condition of small holders in Ethiopia has
been decreasing from time to time. Its population does not generally produce what they need for
the sestinas of their family. Despite this problem, researchers investigated,about the cause and
consequence of traditional farming practice in rural Ethiopia (Gete, 2001), nyssenetal, (2004),
Dabaetal,(2003 ).The impact of traditional farming practice in Albuko Woreda was also explored
(Getaneh Mossue, 2001). However, the impact of traditional farming is soil erosion , soil
degradation , used traditional materials in the study area. Therefore, these researches were filling
this gap addition investigating the impact of traditional farming on agricultural activities in Soba
And Jebel Kebele in Albuko Woreda is important.

1.3 Objective of the study

1.3.1.General objectives
The overall objective of the study is to assess the impact of traditional farming activity
On agricultural production in Albuko Woreda in Soba And Jebel Kebele.

1.3.2. Specific objective

 To assess the methods of traditional farming in the study area.
 To examine the knowledge of farmers to ward improved farming practice.
  To identify the factors that hindered the improvement of farming methods.

1.4. Research Question

 What kinds of farming methods do farmer use in the study area?

 Do farmers have the knowledge of improve farming practice?
 What factors hindered farmers to improve their agricultural production

1.5. Significance of the study

This study hopefully will be useful to assist farmers and there farming, and agricultural
development agents. It will also alleviate agricultural development problems in the study area.

1.6. The scope of the study

It is obvious that conducting research at the country, regional or zonal level is impossible. As
such this study was confined to only one peasant association in Soba And Jebel Kebele in
Albuko Woreda.This study attempted to assess the impact of traditional farming on agricultural
production.

1.7. Organization of the paper

This paper contains five chapters, chapter one includes the introduction part in which,
background of the study, statement of the problem, objective of the study, research question,
significant of the study, the scope and limitation of the study are described. Chapter two contains
review of related literature from various books and publications. The third chapter is devoted to
methodology of the study and description of the study area. Chapter four data presentation and
desiccation.Chapter five is a concluding part in which the conclusion and recommendation are
presented.
2. CHAPTER TWO
2.1. Review of related literature
2.1.1. Concept of traditional farming
Traditional farming is the original farming method handed down from generation to
generation. It involves the intensive use of indigenous knowledge, natural resources and
cultural beliefs of the farmers. Traditional farming techniques are most often practiced on
small family farms and in developing countries.

2.1.2. The impact of traditional Farming system

Ethiopia is a country which rich a grain potentials. About 66 percent of its land area is estimated
potentially suitable for agricultural production (Tadesse, 2001).The farming system in Ethiopia
can be classified in to three major categories this are , high land mixed farming system, shifting
cultivation and commercial agriculture(Debebe, 2002).More than 45 percent of the total area is
high land area above 1500 meter which in habited by 4/5 of the total population. The
contribution of crop production in the country was estimated to be about 60 percent. Livestock
accounts around 27 percent and forestry and other sector account around 13 percent of the total
agricultural value (Demeke, 2006).
Even though, Ethiopia is endowed with fertile soils, sufficient land and water resources and
climate for agricultural activities the output of agriculture is not enough for the growing food
demand. That is why Ethiopia is often categories under poor,which suffers with serious chronic
food shortage (MOA, 1999).Crop production is dominated by small scale subsistence farmers
which account for about 95 percent the total area under crop.The small scale subsistence farmers
still practice traditional way of farming that ploughs the land within oxen drain wooden ploughs,
with low input of fertilizers, pesticides and improve seeds (Engida, 2001).

2.1.3. Agricultural production

Though, especially there are efforts to improve agriculture approved action through the
introduction of fertilizers, improved seeds and extension package approach. It is still in habited
by many problems in Ethiopian. Such as drought backward agricultural practices, in adequate
input supply and credit the absence of strong and developed infrastructure and over population
(kifilu, 2002, befekadu and berhanu1999).
Due to the above mentioned factor and the traditional farming system, agricultural yield is very
low .For instance, according to MOA(2000), in certain areas in 1998/99 production year, the
yield per hectare for maize, wheat, tiff ,barley ,and potato were 36.4, 240 ,110, 110 ,and 110
quintals respectively with modern farming methods. But in trditional farming methods
production were, 5, 55 ,5, 40 and 5 quintals per hectare respectiv
ely (Achaymelesh, 2000)

2.1.4. Farming implement

Most Ethiopian farmers still widely use backward farm implements, such as oxen and wooden
plough (kiflue, 2000, Mulugata, 1999).Thistraditional farm implements not only affects
agricultural production but also the wellbeing and health of farming members, by the means of
drought. This in turn affects production.

2.1.5. Technical and institutional problems

Apart from the environmental factors, that are most important obstacles in the grosses of
agricultural development in Ethiopia are technical and institutional problems (Hurni, 2005). So
some argued that agriculture development is request for the raped socio-economic development
(CSA, 2009 and (Alemayehu, 2004).Other have been seen to agricultural development is the
backbone of national economy (Gete,2001,and nysseneteal,2004).
However, agriculture in Ethiopia is characterized by traditional or indigenous farming practice.
As kifile 2002 put it.One of the dominate feature of the Ethiopia agriculture is the unchanged
character of farming is conducted on traditional line with oxen and wooden plough. The use of
chemical fertilizer is vary limited, while much of cattle manure is an seed for fuel, in addition of
the traditional farming the country has also characterized by low development irrigation
according to MOA(2000).
2.1.6 Soil degradation
In the highland areas of Ethiopia, traditional farming methods together with high population
pressure have produced continuous and damaging effect on the environment.
According to Solomon around 52 percent of the highland area in the country is affected by
various degrees of soil erosion he also noted that is a grass soil less from the highlands amounts
to 1900 million tons per year,of which 80 percent from the farm land .The high rate of soil
degradation has intern caused many societies and erosion yards have leads to shortage of grazing
land.

2.1.7 Methods of farming system

In Ethiopia ,until recent time the farmer is use traditional way of farming system .The farming
practiced is almost all used a mixed type of farming system that include crop production and
livestock rearing .However in lowland area of Ethiopia ,like Afar is only practiced livestock
rearing (Nyssenteal,2004).
Farming method in the study area is also depending on traditional farming, without appropriate
arrangement according to its topography. This leads to soil degradation and less production, in
this area farmer used to a mixed farming system.

2.1.8 Knowledge of farmers

The knowledge of farmers about agricultural development is a pre-requisite for the rapid socio-
economic development of the countries. However, agriculture in Ethiopia is lack of modern
technology (Kiflue, 2002).Widely used on traditional lines with oxen and wooden plough and
still used with few and limited fertilizer and also low development of irrigation (MOA, 2000.

2.1.9. Factors hindered farmers to improve their agricultural production.

The determinate farming system in Ethiopia can be grouped into the natural and the Scio-
economic factors. Scholars, who have analyzed farming system for many years, agree that these
factors have been and will be determinants of characteristics performance, and future evolution
farming systems in developing nations. (Garrity etal, 2012).
The natural factors more likely define possible farming system in developed nation and the
socio-economic factor are real determinate of actual farming system as Garrity (2012),
description. Climates like, rainfall, solar radiation, relative humidity, and soil property are the
major natural factors. Social norms and customs, the farmer attitudes and level of knowledge are
the socio-economic factor that affected agricultural production (Jayanthi , 2002).

3. CHAPTER THREE
3.1 Description of the study
3.1.1 Location
The study was conducted in Ganta Afeshum Woreda in Beati maymesanu Kebele.
This Study Was In Amhara Regional Administrative State.South Wollo Zone Albuko Woreda is
also relatively located (14°7'30'' S-14°18'N)and(39°16'30''W-39°27'0''E)or(Latitude
14°9'33.99''N and Longitude 39°25'16.19''E)But Studying area are particularly in Soba And Jebel
Kebele.Soba and Jebel kebele is Located about 2km North of Adigrat the kebele found in the
Northern part Town Adigrat.the also located Northern of Chehat kebele , southern of Adigrat
university west of Leaky kebele,East of Megeb kebele.
Source :- ARC GIS Map 2018

3.1.2 Population characteristics

Albuko woreda has charaterized by high population due to high fertility rate due to absence of
using contranceptive methods and its leads to the existence of high population woreda
99290.from this total population of Soba And Jebel in 2009 is 3157 of them 511 male and 338
female there are more than 1238 farmers corrently found in the selected kebele.
Source :- kebele Agricultural office 2018.

3.1.3 Climate
The area has an average temprature of 12°c - 27°c during the moist and peake dry seasons
especiallin the month july, the kebele has cold and medium hot weather conditions which is 60%
dega and 40% woinadega.the average rainfull of the kebele is 400mm-600mm per.
Source :- kebele Agricultural office 2018.

3.1.4 Vegetation
There are deferent type of natural vegetation in the study area, this vegetation are predominantly
found following river basins, scattered on crop fields, as traditional agro forests. Due to the
growing need for agricultural land and fuel wood for the growing
population, the vegetation covers of the area have been diminishing from time to time.
Sorce :- kebele Agricultural office 2018.

3.1.5 Soils
The study area clay salt and sand soils are available, but the clay soils are the most common
soil in the study area. The farmers not able to protect the soil from erosion .Consequently the
fertility of soil is gradually decrease from year to year.
Source :- kebele Agricultural office 2018.

3.1.6 Social infrastructure

The people of the study area have been infrasturactural problem like,transport,communication,m
arketing,education and health facilitates .For example ,students are forced to travel long distance
(on average 15 kilometer ),from Soba And Jebel elementary school. Added to this community
travel 70 kilometer from the study site to South Wollo in order to get medical service in the
hospitals.

3.1.7 Social activity

Farmers of the study area have been practicing traditional aboroganization so as to ease the field
work through mutual aid agreements among households. This are locally called as “meheber”and
“Wonfel.”

3.2 research methodology

3.2.1 Research design
This research employed mixed research design with in mixed approach (both quantitative and
qualitative methods). Because this mixed approach is very important and use full for the
validation of findings in terms of accuracy and checking personal bias in the research.
3.2.2 Source of data
The main sources of data used for this study were primary and secondary data .The primary data
was collected through direct contact with the farmers using questioner and interview and direct
observation. The secondary data was collected from written documents, reports, books and
articles.

3.2.3. Sampling techniques

The study site have total of 849 households all are inhabitants of Soba And Jebel kebele simle
random sampling techniques is use to selected male and female heade households after
catagoration of households in to male and female heads 42 so households are selected as sample
size bast on principle of propertionality to size.after this decision 32 male and 10 female heads
household are selected by using simple random sampling as it is belived that the households are
similar with respect the characteristics that influence the research output.
n=N/1+N(e)2
n=849/1+849(0.15)2=42
n=number of simpling size
N=number of total house hold
e=cpnfidential error
1=Constant number

3.2.5. Method of data analyzed

The data was analyzed using qualitative and quantitative techniques. The quantitative data was
analyzed using quantitative techniques such as, percentages and frequency to represent numerical
data. And the qualitative data was analyzed by statements or by words.