How many agro-ecological zones are in Ethiopia?
According to the Ministry of Agriculture (1998), Ethiopia has 18 11 Page 14 main agro-ecological zones (Figure 2). Of the 18 zones, 11 zones representing more than 74% of the country were selected for this study. Table 1 shows the agro-ecological zones and the selected districts in each of the study zones.
What is agro-ecological zone of Ethiopia?
In Ethiopia, two classifications are known that include the traditional agroecological zones and the elaborated agro-ecological zones developed by MOA and EIAR. The traditional zones include Bereha, Kolla, Woina Dega, Dega,Wurch and Kur where many kinds of crops are grown in each of these ecological zones.
What is agro-ecological area?
An Agro-ecological Zone is a land resource mapping unit, defined in terms of climate, landform and soils, and/or land cover, and having a specific range of potentials and constraints for land use. An Agro-ecological Cell (AEC) is defined by a unique combination of landform, soil and climatic characterist.
What are agro-climatic and agro-ecological zones?
An “Agro-climatic zone” is a land unit in terms of major climates, suitable for a certain range of crops and cultivars. An agro-ecological zone is the land unit carved out of agro-climatic zone superimposed on landform which acts as modifier to climate and length of growing period.
What is the importance of agro ecological zone?
Soils form the second element in defining and differentiating agroecological zones as soil conditions determine important properties for plant growth, moisture supply, root aeration and nutrient supply. The third factor is land level in relation to flooding.
What is Woina Dega?
(Amharic, literally “grape zone”; woina— from Greek oinos, wine), the central temperate high belt of the Ethiopian plateau, with elevations of 1,700 or 1,800 m to 2,400 m. The Woina Dega is the most heavily populated belt of the Ethiopian plateau. …
What is the importance of agro-ecological zone?
Why cropping systems are different in different agro-ecological regions?
This is because of their remoteness and lower productivity compared to the lowlands. Nevertheless, there is considerable potential for improving farming systems in such areas. The main crop and livestock systems in the different regions are given in Table 3.
How many agro climatic zones are there?
fifteen
The Planning Commission, as a result of the mid-term appraisal of the planning targets of the Seventh Plan, has divided the country into fifteen broad agro-climatic zones based on physiography, soils, geological formation, Climate, cropping patterns, and development of irrigation and mineral resources for broad …
What are the three agro-ecological zones?
The resulting AEZ classifications for Africa have three dimensions: major climate zone (tropics or subtropics), moisture zones (water availability) and highland/lowland (warm or cool based on elevation).
What are the four seasons of Ethiopia?
Ethiopian Seasons
- Kiremt or Meher (Summer) – June, July and August are the summer season.
- Belg (Autumn) – September, October and November are the spring season sometime known as the harvest season.
- Bega (Winter) – December, January and February are the dry season with frost in morning specially in January.
Is there winter in Ethiopia?
From October to May, Ethiopia has its dry season. The period from December to February can be classified as Ethiopia’s ‘winter’ season when the overall climate is a little cooler than during the rest of the year. From March to May, temperatures are on the rise again.
What are the agro-ecological zones in Ethiopia?
Agro-ecological zonation in Ethiopia has two facets namely the traditional and the elaborated . agro-ecological zones. The traditional zones include Bereha, Kolla, Woina Dega, Dega,Wurch . and Kur where many kinds of crops are grown in each of these ecological zones.
What kind of zonation is done in Ethiopia?
Agro-ecological zonation is done in different ways in different countries. In Ethiopia, two classifications are known that include the traditional agroecological zones and the elaborated agro-ecological zones developed by MOA and EIAR.
What are the most important crops in Ethiopia?
About 16.5 million hectares of land is devoted to the cultivation of these crops in different agro- ecologies of the country (IFPRI, 2006). Among all crops, grains are the most important field crops occupying about 86% percent of the area planted (USAID, 2009).
What kind of land does Ethiopia live in?
Ethiopia is landlocked with varied terrain and precipitation, housing arid expanses, rainforests, savannas, and more.