Abstract:
A diagnostic survey was conducted in three former weredas
(Moretina Jiru, Sendafa, and Aleltu) of Northern Shewa
Administrative Region in the 1988 crop season. The survey focuses
on understanding the objectives and goals of the farm family, the
strategies used to attain the goals, and the management
challenges and resource constraints facing the farm family.
The study area is located in the highlands of Northern Shewa
at an altitude of 2400-2650 m. The soil is dominantly of vertic
nature; Vertisols with pockets of dark clay soils locally known
as Koticha and Gombore respectively. The population of the study
area is ajpout 161,203 with an awraja population density of 30
people/krrr. The major inhabitants of Inewari (Moretina Jiru
Wereda) are Christian Amharas while those of Sendafa-Aleltu are
Christian Oromos. The life of the rural population depends almost
entirely on agriculture. Most of the farmers are smallholders
whose objective is to secure an adequate and sustained supply of
food for the family throughout the year. Average land holding
varies from 3/4 to 3 ha per household depending on family size
and land availability; land availability is greater in Sendafa-
Aleltu than in Inewari.
The principal crops grown are teff, wheat, faba bean, chick
pea, rough pea and lentils. Other minor crops include fenugreek,
field pea, noug, linseed and barley. In Sendafa-Aleltu oats are
also planted as a food crop. The major wheat varieties currently
under production in order of importance are Gounde, Enkoy and
Lakach in Inewari; and Gebre, Lakach and Israel in Sendafa-
A 1 e l t u .
The crop management in the study area depends on the soil type
and other factors. Two management strategies are widely used in
both areas: (1) planting crops that are tolerant to waterlogging
during the periods of highest rainfall using drainage ditches;
and (2) planting some crops (e.g., durum wheat, lentil and chick
pea) late in the season on residual moisture. Area specific
traditional management practices to minimize the effects of
waterlogging are (1) in Inewari, farmers plant all crops except
teff on hand made broad beds and furrows, and (2) in Sendafa-
Aleltu farmers plant on ridges-furrows.
