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Article http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/ijfsa.2026.09.008

Evaluation and Demonstration of Desho and Elephant Grasses for Bund Stabilization and Fodder Production in Gudoro Sub-watershed, Gamo Zone, South Ethiopia

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Dagnaw Ademe, Yenealem Gemi*, Amare Gojjam, Tademe Minasie, Milkias Fanta

South Ethiopia Agricultural Research Institute, Arba Minch Agricultural Research Center, Arba Minch 2228, Ethiopia.

*Corresponding author: Yenealem Gemi

Published: September 24,2026

Abstract

The majority of the Ethiopian population is engaged in agricultural activities, which are dependent on land resources. However, the agricultural system is under continuous threat from land degradation resulting from soil erosion and depletion of soil fertility. In the study area, the potential use of grasses as agronomic and biological soil and water conservation methods is minimally exploited in terms of physical structure. This study evaluated and demonstrated the effectiveness of Desho and Elephant grasses for bund stabilization and fodder production in the Gudoro sub-watershed, southern Ethiopia. The trial was tested in six farmer-managed locations on farmlands with 10-15% slopes, and the farmers were considered as replicates. Data on the survival and green biomass of those stabilizers on the bund were collected. Composite soil samples were taken before and after completion of the demonstration. Based on the demonstrated technologies in the area, farmers’ perception data were collected through the active participation of farmers in focus group discussions. The differences between treatment means were determined using a paired t-test. Soil analysis results showed improvements with Desho grass stabilized bunds in soil moisture content, pH, organic carbon, and nutrient retention compared to Elephant grass. Better survival rate and green biomass yield (92.9%, 492 ton/ha) over two years were recorded for Desho grass, as well as Elephant grass (45.3% survival and 433 tons/ha green biomass). Desho grass with stone-faced soil bund (24 tons/ha) outperformed sediment deposition compared with elephant grass with stone-faced soil bund (20.5 tons/ha). Additionally, the results showed that farmers in the study area positively acknowledged the importance and effectiveness of stone-faced soil bund stabilizer grasses; moreover, farmer training and field days highlighted strong community interest, with Desho grass for its many advantages. Consequently, this integrated approach is advised for scaling up in similar agro-ecologies to support sustainable land management and improve farmer livelihoods.

Keywords

Soil erosion; stone-faced soil bund; perception; sediment deposition

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How to cite this paper

Evaluation and Demonstration of Desho and Elephant Grasses for Bund Stabilization and Fodder Production in Gudoro Sub-watershed, Gamo Zone, South Ethiopia

How to cite this paper: Dagnaw Ademe, Yenealem Gemi, Amare Gojjam, Tademe Minasie, Milkias Fanta. (2026) Evaluation and Demonstration of Desho and Elephant Grasses for Bund Stabilization and Fodder Production in Gudoro Sub-watershed, Gamo Zone, South Ethiopia. International Journal of Food Science and Agriculture, 10(3), 268-276.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.26855/ijfsa.2026.09.008