The enset (Ensete ventricosum) gardens of Sidama: composition, structure and dynamics of a traditional poly-variety system
Bizuayehu Tesfaye
SIDAMA RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM
SIDAMA RESEARCH AND DEVELOPMENT FORUM
Abstract
The composition and
structure of 300 enset gardens from 10 different locations in Sidama
were examined. Average size of the gardens was 0.74 ha. The gardens are
composed of mixtures of various named enset varieties and different
groups recognisable on the basis of ‘sex’ (male and female) and use
(cooking and processing). The gardens exhibit high diversity, with a
given garden containing up to 24 varieties (mean = 8.2). However, the
components are not represented equally. Typically, the gardens consisted
of one or two very abundant varieties and a much larger number of less
common ones. Enset gardens are dynamic because the number and
composition of varieties and different types changed from garden to
garden, from location to location and across time. Their composition,
structure and dynamics have been influenced by human, socio-economic
factors (farm size, land per capita, cropping patterns and size of
livestock), temporal circumstances and landscape elements (elevation) in
which they are found. The nature, characteristics, organization and
functions of Sidama enset gardens are outlined and the importance of
maintaining mixtures of varieties for farmers is discussed.
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