PLANT DIVERSITY AND DETERMINANT OF FARMER PREFERENCE OF SPECIES IN SMALLHOLDER HOMEGARDEN AGROFORESTRY: THE CASE OF HABRO DISTRICT OF WEST HARARGHE ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Homegarden agroforestry (HGAF) has the potential to support diverse multipurpose plant species; however, the diversity of plant species and the factors influencing farmers' their preferences in smallholder homegardens are poorly understood. This study investigated plant diversity and the determinants of farmer preference for species in smallholder HGAF in Habro District. A total 149 households were selected following specify for the household survey. All trees, shrubs, and herbaceous plants were counted and recorded in 10mx10m, 5mx2m, and 1mx1m size quadrats, respectively. For Household survey a questionnaire usedand focus group discussion. The recorded data were organized and analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 20 employing descriptive statistics and econometric models, specifically Multinomial logistic regression models. A total of 1,286 individual plants belonging to 60 species and 33 families, with 30% trees and 28% shrubs, were recorded. There was Significant differences (P < 0.05) in woody and herbaceous plant species richness and abundance observed among the study sites. Accordingly, Melka Balo kebele had the highest values and Gadisa kebele with the lowest. There were also significant differences in the mean Shannon index (H'), Simpson index, and evenness (E) of woody species between Melka Bello and the other two sites (Gadisa and Lugo), were the highest values in Melka Bello. The mean H'and Simpson index of herbaceous species showed significant differences (P < 0.05) only between Gadisa and the other two sites (Melka Bello and Lugo), with lower values observed in Gadisa. Mean evenness of herbaceous species showed a significant difference between Melka Bello and the other two sites (Lugo and Gadisa), with the lower value in Melka Bello. Catha edulis was the most frequent species, followed by M. paradisiaca, C. arabica, and Casimiroa edulis. The analysis of the IVI of woody species shows the dominance of only a few species in the HG. Farmers most preferred four plant species in order of Catha edulis > C. arabica > Casimiroa edulis > M. paradisiaca. Household wealth class, education, and age have a significant positive influence (p < 0.1) on farmers preference of species. Household wealth class, education, and age had a significant positive influence on the preference for planting C. edulis to C. arabica. Household wealth class and education level had a significant positive influence on the preference for Casimiroa edulis. Education had a significant positive influence on M. paradisiaca preference, while agroecology and Household experience had a significant negative influence. Promoting them while considering socio-economic factors and enhancing agro-ecological knowledge is crucial