Rhamnus prinoides-based Agroforestry for Climate-Smart Agriculture in Drylands of Tigray, Ethiopia

Abstract

Agriculture is the backbone of socioeconomic development in many developing countries, but climate variability and land degradation are threatening productivity and income. Adopting climate-smart agricultural practices has been increasingly suggested as a solution. Locally practiced tree-based farming systems, such as agroforestry, can offer a promising solution, helping farmers boost productivity, adapt to climate change, and sequester carbon. However, the role and potential of agroforestry practices depend on many socioeconomic and biophysical factors, suggesting for the need of context-specific study. Integrating R. prinoides trees/shrubs with crops is local or indigenous practice in Tigray, Ethiopia providing multiple benefits. Thus, this PhD study aimed at assessing the distribution and characteristics, socioeconomic benefits, and adaptation and mitigation roles of Rhamnus prinoides-based agroforestry practice in four consecutive chapters. Using Maxent model, the future distribution of R. prinoides agroforestry under climate change scenarios was predicted, showing that suitable areas may shrink. R. prinoides is successful in the highlands and midlands with moderate temperature, good soil, and partial sunlight. Field surveys of 191 households practicing R. prinoides agroforestry reveal that the system thrives in rain-fed areas and is particularly resilient due to its inverse phenology, which reduces competition with crops, and optimizes water use. R. prinoides-based agroforestry is not only more profitable than traditional wheat farming, yielding three times higher returns, but also creates additional employment and strengthens land use rights, with women playing a central role in harvesting and income management. The practice enhances farmers’ resilience by diversifying production and stabilizing income throughout the year. Beyond social and economic benefits, R. prinoides agroforestry contributes significantly to climate change mitigation, with carbon stocks up to three times higher than in annual crop mono-cropping systems. This research underscores the importance of context-specific agroforestry systems that align with both biophysical and socioeconomic factors. Scaling up R. prinoides agroforestry and similar practices can play a critical role in meeting global climate-smart agriculture goals, offering a sustainable path for smallholder farmers to thrive in the face of climate change. Incorporating tree-based farming into agricultural practices not only boosts productivity but also helps mitigate climate impacts, making it a key strategy for building resilient and sustainable agricultural systems worldwide.