A shift from multiple to monocropping farming system in response to change in agroforestry-dominated land use type in East Africa Rift Valley

Multiple cropping systems (MuCS) have been adopted by smallholder farmers (SHFs) to sustainably manage their environment while ensuring year-round subsistence economic benefits. However, in recent years, the ecological benefits of MuCS have been overlooked, while excessive emphasis has been given to monocropping system (MoCS), causing a gradual shift from MuCS to MoCS in agroforestry landscapes. Thus, this study aimed to examine the spatiotemporal shift to MuCS to MoCS due to land use/land cover (LULC) change in agroforestry-dominated areas of Sidama Region, Ethiopia, from 2001 to 2021. Six (6) Woredas and seventeen (17) Kebeles were selected purposively encompassing 340 SHFs households, selected using systematic sampling technique. Landsat images (2001-2021) were used to detect LULC change using maximum likelihood algorithm. LULC change drivers identified by SHFs were validated using econometrics models. The results revealed that the overall accuracy of image classification was good with a Kappa accuracy of 0.87. Eucalyptus plantation, Khat ( Catha edulis ), built-up area, and cultivated land LULC classes significantly increased by 6.67%, 16.76%, 10.19% and 1.87%, respectively, while natural forest and agroforestry LULC classes decreased by 23.62% and 9.39%. Population increment coupled with the gradual increase in market-oriented cash crops has led to the gradual shift of MuCS to MoCS, indicating the gradual weakening of mutual human-environment relationship in the study area. Hence, applying appropriate land use system and strong proscriptions have to be implemented in the area while encouraging SHFs to engage in off-farm activities so as to obtain additional income for their family. • Smallholder farmers prioritize monocropping systems to generate more income • Khat plantation has become a newly emerging source of cash crop in agroforestry system • Natural forests and agroforestry areas decreased due to expansion of Khat plantations • Population growth and demand for cash crops weakened human-environment relationship • Prevalence of LULC change drivers differ spatially between agroecological zones