Rhamnus prinoides in North West Ethiopia: Production, Contribution and Constraints

Rhamnus prinoides is a widespread plant species well distributed in Ethiopia in different agro-climatic zones. Locally it is used for cash income, local beverage preparation and medicinal values. The contribution of the crop has grown steadfastly due to the demand in local markets and the promotion of the plant as one of the biophysical methods to maintain soil and water conservation structures. Besides, its economic value, the production and constraints of Rhamnus prinoides is not documented formally and scientifically in Ethiopia at all. This study was therefore conducted to assess the production and constraints of Rhamnus prinoides in one of the major production areas of the country. Data was collected from formal household survey and field observation and analyzed by descriptive statistics and linear regression model. The result revealed that the households of the region have on average 145seedlings/plants of Rhamnus prinoides mainly around the homestead. Cutting the stem from the bottom of the tree, cutting the new branch by sickle, rolling the shoots and leaves by hand and picking only the leaf by hand are the harvesting techniques practiced by the households. The farmers harvest on a rate of 2.48 per annum with average marketable leaf yield of 13.8kg per tree per harvest. The presence of provenance was reported based on the morphology of leaf, stem and fruits. Diseases management, support in initial investment and investigation of the provenances of Rhamnus prinoides are crucial to increase the benefits for smallholder Keywords: Benefits; Harvesting technique; Opportunities; Provenance; Rhamnus prinoides