Comparative analysis of agroforestry and Non-agroforestry practices for sustainable livelihoods in Eastern Ethiopia

The aim of this study was to compare AF and non-AF farms in terms of their contribution to the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Comparing these two land use systems is vital for empirically determining their relative socioeconomic contribution and sustainability, given their direct relationship to farmers' livelihoods. The study employed a mixed methods approach. Livelihood indicators were selected through review of existing literatures, focus group discussion and key informant interview. The identified indicators were transformed in to quantitative question by rating scale to make meaningful interpretation and compare indicators of each capital. Composite and the overall composite asset indices were used to compare AF and non-AF farm households. The result shows that the overall livelihood assets values for households practicing AF (0.50) is significantly higher than the households who do not practice AF farm (0.43). Specifically, the financial, natural, physical and human capital asset indices for the AF farm households were found to be about 15.5%,30.4%, 18.8% and 11.1% respectively higher compared to their counterparts estimated for the non-AF households. This study offers empirical evidence on the vital role of agroforestry in rural development and land management, providing valuable insights for policymakers seeking to improve smallholder farmers' well-being in Ethiopia and similar socio-economic settings. By aligning policy frameworks with these findings, policymakers can significantly enhance the effectiveness of interventions aimed at promoting agroforestry practices and, consequently, strengthening rural livelihoods.