Unlocking the Agricultural Potential of Manure in Agropastoral Systems: Traditional Beliefs Hindering Its Use in Southern Ethiopia
Abstract
:1. Introduction
2. Methodology
2.1. The Study Site
2.2. Field Methods
2.3. Procedures to Estimate Manure Production
2.4. Determination of Manure Quality and Its Economic Value
2.5. The Response of Maize Grain and Stover Yields to Manure
2.6. Statistical Analysis
3. Results and Discussion
3.1. Farm Characteristics, Manure Utilization and Opportunity for Pasture Development
3.2. Agropastorals’ Perception of Soil Fertility Status
3.3. Why the Borana Agropastoralists Do Not Use Manure: The Influence of Traditional Beliefs
3.4. Livestock Housing and Manure Management
3.5. Manure and Nutrient Production in Borana
3.5.1. Theoretically Estimated Quantities of Manure
3.5.2. Manure Available on Farm: A Hidden Resource
3.5.3. Nutrients Potentially Available for Crop Production
3.6. The Economic Value of Manure as Fertilizer (in Monetary Terms)
3.7. Implications for Cropland Productivity and Nutrient Management
3.8. Yield Responses for Manuring in Borana
4. Possible Areas of Interventions
4.1. Institutional Support to Overcome the Barriers and Promote Manure Use
4.2. Manure for Crop and Pasture Development
4.3. Option to Enhance Use of Manure in Agropastoral Farming Systems in Ethiopia
5. Conclusions
Supplementary Materials
Author Contributions
Funding
Acknowledgements
Conflicts of Interest
References
- Coppock, D.L. (Ed.) The Borana Plateau of Southern Ethiopia: Synthesis of Pastoral Research, Development and Change 1980–91; Lnternatlonal Llvestock Centre for Afrlca: Addls Ababa, Ethlopia, 1994; p. 393. [Google Scholar]
- Solomon, D.; Coppock, D.L. Pastoralism under pressure: Tracking system change in southern Ethiopia. Hum. Ecol. 2004, 32, 465–486. [Google Scholar]
- Megersa, B.M.A.; Angassa, A.; Ogutu, J.O.; Piepho, H.; Zárate, A.V. Livestock Diversification: An Adaptive Strategy to Climate and Rangeland Ecosystem Changes in Southern Ethiopia. Hum. Ecol. 2014, 42, 509–520. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Megersa, B.; Markemann, A.; Angassa, A.; Zárate, A.V. The role of livestock diversification in ensuring household food security under a changing climate in Borana, Ethiopia. Food Sec. 2013, 6, 15–28. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Angassa, A.; Sheleme, B.; Gofu, O.; Treydte, A.C.; Linstadter, A.; Sauerborn, J. Savanna land use and its effect on soil characteristics in southern Ethiopia. J. Arid Environ. 2012, 81, 67–76. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Tilahun, A.; Teklu, B.; Hoag, D. Challenges and contributions of crop production in agro-pastoral systems of Borana plateau, Ethiopia. Pastoralism: Research, policy and practice. Pastor. Res. Policy Pract. 2017, 7, 2. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Bationo, A.; Kihara, J.; Vanlauwe, B.; Waswa, B.; Kimetu, J. Soil organic carbon dynamics, functions and management in west African agro-ecosystems. Agric. Syst. 2007, 94, 13–25. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Place, F.; Barrett, C.B.; Freeman, H.D.; Ramisch, J.J.; Vanlauwe, B. Prospects for integrated soil fertility management using organic and inorganic inputs: Evidence from smallholder African agricultural systems. Food Policy 2003, 28, 365–378. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Araji, A.A.; Abdo, Z.O.; Joyce, P. Efficient use of animal manure on cropland—Economic analysis. Bioresour. Technol. 2001, 79, 179–191. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Bationo, A. (Ed.) Managing Nutrient Cycles to Sustain Soil Fertility in Sub-Saharan Africa; Academy Science Publishers (ASP): Nairobi, Kenya, 2004. [Google Scholar]
- Bationo, A.W.B.; Kihara, J.; Adolwa, I.; Vanlauwe, B.; Saidou, K. (Eds.) Lessons Earned from Long-Term Soil Fertility Management Experiments in Africa; Springer: Berlin, Germany, 2012. [Google Scholar]
- Powell, J.M.; Pearson, R.A.; Hiernaux, P.H. Crop–Livestock Interactions in the West African Drylands: Review and interpretation. Agron. J. 2004, 96, 469–483. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Harris, F. Management of manure in farming systems in semi-arid West Africa. Exp. Agric. 2002, 38, 131–148. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Paul, S.O.D.; Wouters, B.; Gachimbi, L.; Zake, J.; Ebanyat, P.; Ergano, K.; Abduke, M.; van Keulen, H. Cattle Manure Management in East Africa: Review of Manure Quality and Nutrient Losses and Scenarios for Cattle and Manure Management; Wageningen UR Livestock Research: Lelystad, the Netherlands, 2009. [Google Scholar]
- Aga, B.G. Oromo Indigenous Religion: Waaqeffannaa. ISSN 2016, III, 2321–2705. [Google Scholar]
- Lupwayi, N.Z.; Girma, M.; Haque, I. Plant nutrient contents of cattle manures from small-scale farms and experimental stations in the Ethiopian highlands. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 2000, 78, 57–63. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Mengistu, K.; Bauer, S. Determinants of manure and fertilizer applications in eastern highlands of Ethiopia. Q. J. Int. Agric. 2011, 50, 237–252. [Google Scholar]
- Powell, J.M.; Fernández-Rivera, S.; Williams, T.O.; Renard, C. Livestock and sustainable nutrient cycling in mixed farming systems of sub-Saharan Africa. In Proceedings of the Livestock and sustainable nutrient cycling in mixed farming systems of sub-Saharan Africa, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 22–26 November 1993; p. 568. [Google Scholar]
- Creswel, J.W. Research Design: Qualitative, Quantitative, and Mixed Methods Approaches, 4th ed.; SAGE Publication: Saunders Oaks, CA, USA, 2014. [Google Scholar]
- Viste, E.; Korecha, D.; Sorteberg, A. Recent drought and precipitation tendencies in Ethiopia. Appl. Clim. 2013, 112, 535–551. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- USGS (U.S. Geological Survey). Famine Early Warning Systems Network—Informing Climate Change Adaptation Series: A Climate Trend Analysis of Ethiopia. Fact Sheet 2012–3053; USGS (U.S. Geological Survey): Reston, VA, USA, 2012.
- Fernandez-Rivera, S.; Williams, T.O.; Hiernauxl, P.; Powel, J.P. Faecal excretion by ruminants and manure availability for crop production in semi-arid West Africa. In Livestock and Sustainable Nutrient Cycling in Mixed Farming Systems of sub-Saharan Africa. Proceedings of an International Conference; Powell, J.M., Fernandez-Rivera, S., Renard, C., Eds.; (International Livestock Centre for Africa) ILCA: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 1995; Volume II, p. 568. [Google Scholar]
- Brodie, H.L. Determining the Amount of Manure in a Pile or a Pool; The University of Maryland: College Park, MD, USA, 1990; Volume 176. [Google Scholar]
- Tropical Soil Biology and fertility, 2nd ed.; Anderson, J.M.; Ingram, J.S.I. (Eds.) CAB International: Wallingford, UK, 1993. [Google Scholar]
- FAO. Procedure for Soil Analysis, 6th ed.; Reeuwik, L.P.V., Ed.; FAO: Rome, Italy, 2002. [Google Scholar]
- Mulinax, D.; Meyer, D.; Garnett, J. The Economics Merit of Anima Manures as a Source of Plant Nutrients or Energy Generation, 1998.
- Yonas, B.; Beyene, F.; Negatu, L.; Angassa, A. Influence of resettlement on pastoral land use and local livelihoods in southwest Ethiopia. Trop. Subtrop. Agroecosyst. 2013, 16, 103–117. [Google Scholar]
- Abate, T.; Ebro, A.; Nigatu, L. Traditional rangeland resource utilisation practices and pastoralists’ perceptions on land degradation in south-east Ethiopia. Trop. Grassl. 2010, 44, 202–212. [Google Scholar]
- Sintayehu, M.; Coppock, D.L.; Heluf, G.; Gizachew, L. Changes in Land Cover and Soil Conditions for the Yabelo District of the Borana Plateau, 1973–2003; Utah State University: Logan, UT, USA, 2006. [Google Scholar]
- Elias, E.; Morse, S.; Belshaw, D.G.R. Nitrogen and phosphorus balances of Kindo Koisha farms in southern Ethiopia. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 1998, 71, 93–113. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Teka, H.; Madakadze, I.C.; Angassa, A.; Hassen, A. Effect of seasonal variation on the nutritional quality of key herbaceous species in semi-arid areas of Borana, Ethiopia. Indian J. Anim. Nutr. 2012, 29, 324–332. [Google Scholar]
- Graya, L.C.; Morant, P. Reconciling indigenous knowledge with scientific assessment of soil fertility changes in southwestern Burkina Faso. Geoderma 2003, 425, 425–437. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Birmingham, D.M. Local knowledge of soils: The case of contrast in Coˆte d’Ivoire. Geoderma 2003, 111, 481–502. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Mekonnen, A.; Köhlin, G. Biomass Fuel Consumption and Dung Use as Manure: Evidence from Rural Households in the Amhara Region of Ethiopia; Resources for the Future: Washington, DC, USA, 2008. [Google Scholar]
- Hoffmann, I.; Gerling, D.; Kyiogwom, U.B.; Mané-Bielfeldt, A. Farmers’ management strategies to maintain soil fertility in a remote area in northwest Nigeria. Gricult. Ecosyst. Environ. 2001, 86, 263–275. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Mather, E.; Hart, J.F. The Geography of Manure. Land Econ. 1956, 32, 25–38. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Gershman, B. Witchcraft beliefs and the erosion of social capital: Evidence from Sub-Saharan Africa and beyond. J. Dev. Econ. 2016, 120, 182–208. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Slegers, M.F.W. “If only it would rain”: Farmers’ perceptions of rainfall and drought in semi-arid central Tanzania. J. Arid Environ. 2008, 72, 2106–2123. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Leistner, E. Witchcraft and African development. Afr. Secur. Rev. 2014, 23, 53–77. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Miguel, E. Poverty and witch killing review of economic studies. Rev. Econ. Stud. 2005, 72, 1153–1172. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Onyancha, B.K. The impact of beliefs in witchcraft and magic on attitudes towards sustainable agricultural productivity in Gucha district, Kenya. Asian J. Soc. Sci. Humanit. 2014, 3, 4. [Google Scholar]
- Iaccarino, M. Science and Culture: Western Science Could Learn a Thing or Two from the Way Science is Done in other Cultures. EMBO Rep. 2003, 4, 220–223. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Nkamleu, G.B. Religious faith and agricultural growth: Exploring some correlations in Africa. In Proceedings of the Center for the study of African Economies—Annual Conference Oxford, Oxford, UK, 18–20 March 2007. [Google Scholar]
- Harris, F.; Yusuf, M.A. Manure management by smallholder farmers in the Kano close-settled zone, Nigeria. Exp. Agric. 2001, 37, 319–332. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Moore, J.A.; Gamroth, M.J. Calculating the Fertilizer Value of Manure from Livestock Operations; The Oregon State University: Corvallis, OR, USA, 1993. [Google Scholar]
- Snyder, C.S.; Bruulsema, T.W.; Jensen, T.L.; Fixen, P.E. Review of greenhouse gas emissions from crop production systems and fertilizer management effects. Agric. Ecosyst. Environ. 2009, 133, 247–266. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Bacenetti, J.; Lovarelli, D.; Fiala, M. Mechanisation of organic fertiliser spreading, choice of fertiliser and crop residue management as solutions for maize environmental impact mitigation. Europ. J. Agron. 2016, 79, 107–118. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Risse, L.M.; Cabrera, M.L.; Franzluebbers, A.J.; Gaskin, J.W.; Gilley, J.E.; Killorn, R.; Radcliffe, D.E.; Tollner, W.E.; Zhang, H. Land Application of Manure for Benefcial Reuse. Biol. Syst. Eng. Pap. Publ. 2006, 65, 283. [Google Scholar]
- Rufino, M.C.T.P.; van Wijk, M.T.; Castellanos-Navarrete, A.; Delve, R.J.; de Ridder, N.; Giller, K.E. Manure as a key resource within smallholder farming systems: Analysing farm-scale nutrient cycling efficiencies with the NUANCES framework Livestock Science. Livest. Sci. 2007, 112, 273–287. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Chadwick, D.R. Emissions of ammonia, nitrous oxide and methane from cattle manure heaps: Effect of compaction and covering. Atmos. Environ. 2005, 39, 787–799. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Goulding, K.; Jarvis, S.; Whitmore, A. Optimizing nutrient management for farm systems. Phil. Trans. R. Soc. B 2008, 363, 667–680. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef] [PubMed]
- Ademba, J.S.; Kwach, J.K.; Esilaba, A.O.; Ngari, S.M. The effects of phosphate fertilizers and manure on maize yields in South Western Kenya. Agric. For. 2015, 81, 1–11. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Mandefro, N.; Tanner, D.; Twumasi-Afriyie, S. Enhancing the contribution of maize to food security in Ethiopia. In Proceedings of the Second National Maize Workshop of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, 12–16 November 2002. [Google Scholar]
- Rogers, E.M. Diffusion of Innovations; The Free Press: New York, NY, USA, 1983; p. 447. [Google Scholar]
- Materechera, S.A. Utilization and management practices of animal manure for replenishing soil fertility among smallscale crop farmers in semi-arid farming districts of the North West Province, South Africa. Nutr. Cycl. Agroecosyst. 2010, 87, 415–428. [Google Scholar] [CrossRef]
- Dejene, T.; Tamiru, A.; Bedasa, E. Feed resources, feeding system and feed marketing for dairy production in the lowland and mid-highland agro-ecologies of Borana zone, Ethiopia. Int. J. Innov. Appl. Stud. 2014, 7, 1025–1033. [Google Scholar]
- Awdenegest, M.; Holden, N.M. Soil fertility in relation to slope position and agricultural land Use: A case study of Umbulo catchment in southern Ethiopia. Environ. Manag. 2008, 42, 753–763. [Google Scholar]
- Kinyangi, J.; Recha, J.; Kimeli, P.; Atakos, V. Climate-smart villages and the hope of food security in Kenya: CCAFS Info Note; CGIAR Research Program on Climate Change, Agriculture and Food Security (CCAFS): Copenhagen, Denmark, 2015. [Google Scholar]
- ICIMOD. Climate Smart Villages: Building Affordable and Replicable Adaptation Pilots in Mountain Areas; ICIMOD (International Centre for Integrated Mountain Development): Kathmandu, Nepal, 2015. [Google Scholar]
Mean | Resources groups (n = 30) | ||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rich (n = 9) | Medium (n = 7) | Poor (n = 14) | |||
Farm skill training (% HH head) | None | 26.7 | 23.3 | 46.7 | |
Short-term | 3. 3 | 0 | 0 | ||
Education of HH head (%) | None | 16.7 | 23.3 | 26.7 | |
Adult education | 10.0 | 0 | 6.7 | ||
Primary school | 3.3 | 0 | 13.3 | ||
Farm assets | |||||
Farm land (ha) | 2.15 (0.24) | 3.46 (0.33) | 2.7 (0.37) | 1.19 (0.19) | |
Livestock (TLU)a | 24.09 (2.5) | 41.60 (2.5) | 24.90 (2.1) | 12.44 (0.7) | |
Land allocation in % | |||||
Cropped area (three major crops) b, c | 64.41 | 51.69 | 57.14 | ||
Grass patch area | 7.45 | 25.85 | 30.25 | ||
Cash cropped landd | 10.47 | 13.56 | 10.10 |
Resource Group | Total Farmland | Cropped Area a | Cash Cropped Area | Grazing Pasture Plot | Mixed Plot |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Rich | 3.46 | 2.17 | 0.36 | 0.26 | 0.61 |
Medium | 2.37 | 1.22 | 0.32 | 0.61 | 0.21 |
Poor | 1.19 | 0.68 | 0.11 | 0.36 | 0.04 |
Mean | 2.15 | 1.26 | 0.23 | 0.39 | 0.25 |
se± | 0.24* | 0.18* | 0.05n.s. | 0.11n.s. | 0.10* |
p-value | 0.000 | 0.000 | 0.081 | 0.48 | 0.000 |
Resource Group | Farmland (ha)a | Cattle in TLU | Estimated Manure (tons) | TLU Per Farmland |
---|---|---|---|---|
Rich | 3.46 | 32.51 | 28.28 | 10.45 |
Medium | 2.36 | 20.90 | 18.20 | 9.87 |
Poor | 1.19 | 10.15 | 8.90 | 9.70 |
Mean | 2.15 | 19.37 | 16.85 | 9.98 |
se± | 1.90* | 1.65* | 0.97n.s. |
Cattle in TLU | CL (2015/16) | AM (ton) | MNC (kg/ton) | TO in kg per Farm | |||||
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
TN | P2O5 | K2O | TN | P2O5 | K2O | ||||
Mean | 26.83 | 1.70 | 74.11 | 9.03 | 0.12 | 3.98 | 667.87 | 9.14 | 320.53 |
Stdev | 7.07 | 1.20 | 61.20 | 1.49 | 0.01 | 1.42 | 565.62 | 8.38 | 365.47 |
Nutrient | Nutrient Price Per kg | Total Nutrients Output | Total Monetary Value (ETB) |
---|---|---|---|
N | 24.63 | 667.87 | 16452.84 |
Treatment | Grain Yield (kg ha−1) | Stover Yield (kg ha−1) |
---|---|---|
Control | 701.00±46 | 2013.82±95 |
Recommended practice (mineral fertilizer) | 1231.12±46bc | 3181.58±95b |
Manure micro-dose (3.71ton ha-1) | 1015.00±46a | 2684.87±95a |
5 ton of manure† | 1059.00±46ab | 2546.49±95a |
5 ton of manure + legume intercrop | 929.70±46a | 2572.15±95a |
Manure micro-dose + fertilizer micro-dose | 1240.60±46c | 3386.62±95b |
Manure micro-dose + legume intercrop | 1015.60±46a | 2564.69±95a |
LSD | 186.2 | 386.91 |
p-value | 0.00 | 0.00 |
© 2019 by the authors. Licensee MDPI, Basel, Switzerland. This article is an open access article distributed under the terms and conditions of the Creative Commons Attribution (CC BY) license (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/).
Share and Cite
Jagisso, Y.; Aune, J.; Angassa, A. Unlocking the Agricultural Potential of Manure in Agropastoral Systems: Traditional Beliefs Hindering Its Use in Southern Ethiopia. Agriculture 2019, 9, 45. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture9030045
Jagisso Y, Aune J, Angassa A. Unlocking the Agricultural Potential of Manure in Agropastoral Systems: Traditional Beliefs Hindering Its Use in Southern Ethiopia. Agriculture. 2019; 9(3):45. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture9030045
Chicago/Turabian StyleJagisso, Yonas, Jens Aune, and Ayana Angassa. 2019. "Unlocking the Agricultural Potential of Manure in Agropastoral Systems: Traditional Beliefs Hindering Its Use in Southern Ethiopia" Agriculture 9, no. 3: 45. https://doi.org/10.3390/agriculture9030045