Farmers’ traditional knowledge on seasonal frost management and their tree preferences in frost affected highlands of Amhara region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Extreme environmental conditions, such as high temperature, frost, low humidity and desiccating winds, are the main causes for the failure of plantation forests in Ethiopia. Frost damage contributes to the low seedling survival and plantation success in frost affected highlands of Amhara region Ethiopia. Research outputs on farmers' traditional knowledge on frost management and technologies that curb frost related problems are limited in the country. This study was conducted to document the farmers' traditional knowledge on frost management and their tree preference in frost affected highlands of Amhara region. Sinan, Guna-begemder and Meket districts were selected purposively in 2020. One representative sample Kebele was selected in each district with a total of 204 households selected with systematic random sampling technique for interview. In addition to interview focus group discussion was also conducted. Both descriptive and inferential statistics data analysis method were employed. In this study, frost was found to be an important limiting factor for plantation development in the study area. Frost occurs, mainly, from September to January. The local community applies traditional frost management techniques. The seasonality of frost occurrence and type of traditional frost management practices varied among the studied Kebeles. <i>Eucalyptus globulus</i>, <i>Oldeania alpina</i>, <i>Rhamnus prinoides</i> and <i>Chamaecytisus palmensis</i> were preferred trees species due to their frost resistant performance. The effectiveness of identified traditional frost management techniques needs to be investigated before they can be promoting and disseminating. Farmers should also be trained in proper techniques to protect planted seedlings from frost damage. Adjusting the timing of planting may also help to mitigate the effect of frost damage.