Perceived multifunctionality of agroforestry trees in Northern Ethiopia : a case study of the perceived functions and associated personal values of trees for farming households in Tigray

Sammanfattning: This case study explored perceptions on the beneficial and detrimental functions obtained from agroforestry trees in two sites in Northern Ethiopia. These perceived functions were contextualized and their contribution to a multifunctionality in agriculture discussed. 55 farming household heads and five informants in two study sites, Abreha we Atsbah and Mayberazio, participated in the study. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with participants in March 2016. Using a Means-End Chain framework, cognitive structures around the perceived functions were revealed. It was investigated which attributes are seen as provoking certain functions and how the functions contribute towards the achievement of personal values. The most mentioned beneficial functions of agroforestry trees were wood for construction (98% of households), fuel (95%), sale (84%), fodder (82%), land improvement (69%), and fencing material (47%). The most mentioned drawbacks of agroforestry trees were detrimental shade (78% of households), resource depletion (16%), and barrier for cultivation (13%). Farming households were found to carefully design their agroforestry system in order to obtain the requested functions. The results of the study show that functions can contribute to three spheres: (i) to support the household’s livelihood, (ii) to serve as business incentive, or (iii) to the personal satisfaction of the household members. A comparison of the personal values related to function indicate that agroforestry trees are perceived as particularly beneficial if they contribute to more than one of these spheres. Thus, participants of this study were found to be interested in a multifunctional portfolio of agroforestry tree functions which is aligned with their household farming goals.