Abstract
Mixed crop–livestock systems dominate the Ethiopian highlands, yet their productivity remains constrained by chronic feed shortages and declining feed quality, particularly during the dry season. Integrating multipurpose fodder trees into these systems offers a sustainable strategy to improve livestock nutrition, enhance resource use efficiency, and strengthen the resilience of smallholder farming systems. This study examined farmers’ perceptions, adoption, and management of multipurpose fodder trees and grasses (MPFTs) in Aleta Wondo district, Sidama, Ethiopia. Data were collected from 144 households selected through stratified random sampling across two kebeles. Descriptive statistics and a binary logistic regression model were employed for data analysis. The results revealed the presence of 26 fodder tree and grass species widely known and utilized by farmers. Respondents demonstrated strong knowledge of both indigenous and improved species, with high preference for grasses such as Hyparrhenia rufa, Pennisetum purpureum, and Desho grass, alongside protein-rich legumes including Medicago sativa and Sesbania sesban. Multipurpose trees such as Leucaena leucocephala and Grewia bicolor were highly valued for their palatability, adaptability, and year-round availability. Farmers selected species based on feed value, durability, ease of propagation, and resilience, while sustainable management practices particularly partial canopy harvesting and organic soil enrichment were commonly applied. The logistic regression results indicated that access to seedlings, institutional support, education level, household income, and land size significantly influenced adoption. Overall, the findings underscore that effective adoption of multipurpose fodder trees depends not only on farmers’ knowledge but also on enabling institutional and resource conditions. Strengthening extension services, improving access to quality planting materials, and promoting locally adapted fodder species are therefore critical for enhancing livestock productivity, livelihood resilience, and sustainable farming systems.
Keywords: Adoption; Agroforestry; Aleta Wondo; Farmers’ perception; Fodder trees; Livestock feed.
