An attempt was made to ensure the reliability and validity of the instruments used in this research. As indicated in previous sections, the research employed both quantitative and qualitative data collection and analysis. Ranges of qualitative and quantitative data collection tools were employed to increase the dependability of the research. The research did not merely rely on only a single source and used a single method. Data were collected from multiple sources using multiple methods.
As the research design is more of exploratory, majority of the themes used for the construction of items for interview and discussion were obtained from interview and discussion held with key informants. Frequent and season based contacts were made with key informants to get clear picture of the agroforestry and its indigenous practices. The interview and discussions were continuously conducted for more than 6 months. While visiting the area, several informal discussions were held with the informants to triangulate the data obtained through interview and focus group discussion.
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In addition, development agents and supervisors who spent longer time in the area were consulted to get information about contemporary agroforestry practices and the past practices as well. Similarly, not to miss important issues (knowledge, practices and belief systems), an attempt was made to review the works of scholars who conducted research in the area (for instance Tadesse, 2002; Bekele, 2006; SLUF, 2006; Bogale, 2007; Fisseha, 2007; Mesele, 2009; Mesele & Nigusse, 2008; Mesele et al., 2011; Tamirat, 2012;).Therefore, there is no doubt regarding the validity of the research as far as qualitative data are concerned.
Regarding quantitative data, necessary measures were taken to ensure its validity and reliability. The internal reliability or consistency of the instruments was computed using Cronbach’s alpha and accordingly the instruments used to measure the changes and continuities of IK among multigenerational groups was found to be reliable (see Table 3.9). Moreover, various data collection tools such as card sorting, cognitive mapping, transect walk, informal discussion, household survey and participant observations were used to make sure that the responses of the sampled respondents are genuine. The data obtained via other methods than exam type structured questionnaires were very much helpful in determining the changes that have been occurring in IK with regard to agroforestry system of Gedeo.
Moreover, prior to administration of the actual questionnaires, an attempt was made to ensure whether the questions prepared can address the intention for which it is prepared. The sample questionnaires were delivered to 12 respondents from the four age categories. Accordingly, the result of the pilot survey revealed that the instrument used was able to address almost all the points. However, there were redundant items that were removed and there were also issues which were given less emphasis. Then based on the feedback got from the analysis of the pilot survey, necessary amendments were made.
Similarly, pilot survey was made before administration of questionnaires to the households. 10 households were randomly selected from the three agroecology for the pilot test. Analysis was made based on the objective of the research and hence the necessary amendments were made based on the feedback obtained from the analysis. Moreover, an attempt was made to substantiate the household survey with informal interview and focus group discussion.
Therefore, provided that the research had employed various tools to collect data of the same type through triangulation, there is no doubt that the research is dependable and hence the result of the
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research is valid. Patton (2001) claim that triangulation is important in strengthens a study by combining methods from both quantitative and qualitative approaches. Thus, through the application of triangulation and reliability tests, necessary precautions were taken to keep the dependability and reliability of the research.
Table 3. 9: Internal reliability result for exam type structured questionnaires
Dimension of IK Cronbach’s alpha Based on standardized items No of items
Eco-cognitive 0.752 0.796 8
Practical 0.912 0.913 22
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CHAPTER FOUR
CONSTITUENTS OF IK OF GEDEO AGROFORESTRY SYSTEM
4.1.
Introduction
As mentioned in Chapter one of this dissertation, agroforestry system is an intensive land management system that combines trees and shrubs with crops and livestock in time and space on a landscape level to achieve optimum benefits from biological interactions between soils, plants, and animals (Nair, 2007). It is one of the dominant ecosystems that resemble natural forests (Bhagwat et al., 2008). The system is common in the developing countries and is often practiced by indigenous farmers who usually understand land use interactions in their local ecosystems (Nair, 2007). Farmers in the Gedeo zone can be cited as principal examples as they have sustained agroforestry system for a long period keeping the mutual interactions between local human cultures and the surrounding environmental components. Some writers even claim that the Gedeo agroforestry system was reported to be one of the best exemplary land use system in the country (Tadesse, 2002; SLUF, 2006). The system harbors a large number of population. It is a self-propelled land use system that relies on indigenous knowledge of the local people (SLUF, 2006). The practices are not adopted from somewhere else; rather it is obtained through intergenerational transmission of indigenous knowledge. Its self-regenerating and regulating capacity and strong reliance on knowledge and skills of the local people had made the system relatively resilient. However, recent trend shows that the ever-increasing population, increasing demand for land coupled with climatic variability, and increasing invasion of exotic tree species are threatening the sustainability of the system (Tadesse, 2002; Zebene, 2009).
Broadly, two types of agroforestry system are practiced in Gedeo. These are multistory and agrosilvipastoral agroforestry system; the former being dominant (Bogale, 2007). The multi-storey is further classified into three, while the agrosilivipastoral categorized into four (Table 3.5). The agroforestry system can also be broadly categorized into enset based, coffee-enset based, and coffee- fruit based agroforestry system (Tadesse, 2002; Mesele et al., 2011) (For details, see Section 3.1.) Enset and coffee are the dominant crops, accounting for more than two-thirdof the components in the system. Apart from coffee and enset, the system supports varied species of indigenous and exotic trees, cereal crops, root crops, fruits and domestic animals. This type of combination is very common
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in the highlands of Southern Ethiopia where home garden agroforestry system is dominant (Tesfaye, 2005).
More than 75% of the agroforestry system is located on highly rugged and steep topography. The slope of the topography ranges from 5-70%, of which more than 2/3 characterized by slope ranging between 10-30% and the majority of the area has a slope range between 10 to 30% (Mesele et al., 2011). Any agricultural practices conducted in such rugged and steep topography require great precaution. In this regard, the Gedeo people are well versed with the knowledge of utilizing the resources available in their locality, overcoming such topographic limitation. They have achieved this through indigenous practices of retaining trees, shrubs and herbs on their farmland. As far as historical accounts and oral traditions are concerned the local people have been able to lead their life in such rugged topography by practicing farming system that maintains the biodiversity and reduce degradation in all aspects. The local people have not experienced significant socio-economic and environmental challenges so far despite having a highly rugged landscape and ever-increasing human population. The relative stability of the system is interesting in that it supports population beyond its carrying capacity. One possible reason behind such success stories is the utilization of indigenous knowledge. The people were diligent enough in maintaining the sustainability of the system.
The attitude of the people, their day-to-day relation with their surrounding environment, values they attribute to trees, livelihood strategies they design during the time of challenges, and credit they give to natural resources etc. make them different from the other peoples in the country. They have not received any meaningful support, for instance, from education to help them use the natural resources in a sustainable manner. They did it by themselves using their own inherited knowledge. They know what to do, when to do, how to do and where to do. They do have ample and rich knowledge about how to live harmoniously with their land without taking too much from it. .