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Ernstberger, Johannes, 2016. Perceived multifunctionality of agroforestry trees in Northern Ethiopia : a case study of the perceived functions and associated personal values of trees for farming households in Tigray. Second cycle, A2E. Alnarp: SLU, Dept. of People and Society

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Abstract

This case study explored perceptions on the beneficial and detrimental functions obtained from agroforestry trees in two sites in Northern Ethiopia. These perceived functions were contextualized and their contribution to a multifunctionality in agriculture discussed. 55 farming household heads and five informants in two study sites, Abreha we Atsbah and Mayberazio, participated in the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants in March 2016. Using a Means-End Chain framework, cognitive structures around the perceived functions were revealed. It was investigated which attributes are seen as provoking certain functions and how the functions contribute towards the achievement of personal values. The most mentioned beneficial functions of agroforestry trees were wood for construction (98% of households), fuel (95%), sale (84%), fodder (82%), land improvement (69%), and fencing material (47%). The most mentioned drawbacks of agroforestry trees were detrimental shade (78% of households), resource depletion (16%), and barrier for cultivation (13%). Farming households were found to carefully design their agroforestry system in order to obtain the requested functions. The results of the study show that functions can contribute to three spheres: (i) to support the household’s livelihood, (ii) to serve as business incentive, or (iii) to the personal satisfaction of the household members. A comparison of the personal values related to function indicate that agroforestry trees are perceived as particularly beneficial if they contribute to more than one of these spheres. Thus, participants of this study were found to be interested in a multifunctional portfolio of agroforestry tree functions which is aligned with their household farming goals.

Main title:Perceived multifunctionality of agroforestry trees in Northern Ethiopia
Subtitle:a case study of the perceived functions and associated personal values of trees for farming households in Tigray
Authors:Ernstberger, Johannes
Supervisor:Jensen, Erik Steen and Palsdottir, Anna Maria and Tesfay Belay, Girmay
Examiner:Tasin, Marco
Series:UNSPECIFIED
Volume/Sequential designation:UNSPECIFIED
Year of Publication:2016
Level and depth descriptor:Second cycle, A2E
Student's programme affiliation:LM005 Agroecology - Master's programme 120 HEC
Supervising department:(LTJ, LTV) > Dept. of People and Society
Keywords:agroforestry, multifunctionality, multifunctional agriculture, means-end chain theory, Tigray, personal values, ethnobotany, Ethiopia
URN:NBN:urn:nbn:se:slu:epsilon-s-6295
Permanent URL:
http://urn.kb.se/resolve?urn=urn:nbn:se:slu:epsilon-s-6295
Subject. Use of subject categories until 2023-04-30.:Forestry - General aspects
Forest engineering
Language:English
Deposited On:06 Apr 2017 06:46
Metadata Last Modified:06 Apr 2017 06:46

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