Enset Landrace Diversity and Ethno-Botanical Uses in Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Enset (Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman) is a monocarpic, perennial herbaceous plant in the Musaceae family. Ethiopia is the origin and center of enset diversity and is the only country to have domesticated and used enset for food. Enset-based farming systems are widespread in the south, southwest, and central parts of Ethiopia. Agro-ecological diversity, continuous farmer selection, and varied agronomic practices have led to the development of diverse enset landraces in Ethiopia. The Gedeo zone in southern Ethiopia, which is the focus of the current study, is known for its established and diverse enset farming practices. However, the reported number of enset landraces in Gedeo, ranging from 20 to 26, is very low compared to other enset-growing areas, which reports show between 44 and 86 landraces. This discrepancy indicates the need for further research and investigation. The main objectives of this study are to i) conduct an in-depth assessment and survey of enset landraces in the Gedeo zone, and ii) evaluate the conservation status and unique ethnobotanical use in the area. A total of 120 households from 4 districts and 12 kebeles were interviewed for the study. Additionally, focus group discussion, key informant interview and literature review were applied. The study identified 37 new landraces with unique vernacular names. Combined with landraces identified in earlier studies, this raises the total number of enset landraces in Gedeo to 57, which is over 100% greater than previously reported. Different landraces support different needs of the community. Nonetheless, only 4 to 6 landraces are frequently and widely used. Most landraces are rare, cultivated in restricted locations, and thus vulnerable to socio-ecological changes. Enset and its diverse landraces are deeply intertwined with the culture of the people in Gedeo. It has shaped their livelihoods, culture, and environment, helping them thrive for millennia in a densely populated area naturally prone to degradation. However, recent socio-ecological changes, such as climate change and rapid population growth leading to land use intensification, are threatening the diversity of enset landraces in the Gedeo zone. Despite efforts by various actors to conserve the landraces in the area, results so far are not encouraging. The findings underscore the significance of diversified landraces and their ethnobotanical implications, raising awareness of the need to support the conservation and sustainable use of enset landraces to maximize their socio-ecological significance.Key words: conservation status, cultural value, environmental protection