Bamboo is an abundant resource in Ethiopia and has a great potential for commercialization, which can drive rural development. In view of these realities, this study analyzed the state and determinants of small-scale bamboo commercialization in Ethiopia. Data were collected from three major bamboo-growing districts (Awi, Sidama, and Sheka) and four urban centers (Masha, Hawassa, Bahir Dar, and Addis Ababa) via semi-structured interviews, group discussions, and questionnaire surveys with key actors along the value chain. Results revealed distinctive differences in proportion of cash income, value chain structure, and management engagement among the districts. Percentages of cash income were 60.15, 42.60, and 9.48 at Awi, Sidam, and Sheka, respectively. Differences were statistically significant between Sheka and both other districts (p = 0.05), but not between Awi and Sidama. The value chain structure showed that compared with Sheka, Awi and Sidama have a relatively large number of actors involved. The major factors explaining commercialization differences among regions were distance to market and presence of alternative forest products. Within Sheka, households with larger family size, higher education attainment, and access to training reportedly engaged more in commercial extraction. Therefore, we conclude that development of infrastructure for linking resource and consumer centers and expansion of extension education among producers may enhance the commercial engagement of producers and improve the accessibility of bamboo resources for commercial production.

Given a huge resource base, numerous product and service functions, bamboo can top many of the species recommended for integrated rural development in the context of climate change. Despite this potential, there is gap in knowledge and innovation to make optimum use of this resource. This study provides insights into the need for and processes of institutional and technological innovation to materialize bamboo’s potential. The study is based on the theory of systems of innovation and empirical data collected from bamboo farmers, enterprises and 26 experts. The results demonstrate that traditional knowledge and technical skills in rural areas are key sources of knowledge for product innovation and climate change adaptation. The study reveals that enterprises have a primary role both in the generation of innovation and the production of value-added products. Institutional actors (GOs and NGOs) play an intermediary role in promoting bamboo sector innovation through training provision, policy development and stimulating social learning among actors. The study reveals that further effort is needed to upgrade the capacity of farmers and firms to produce globally competitive products. Therefore, development should be geared towards establishing and nurturing a bamboo sector innovation system which facilitates entry into the global value chain.

Bamboo is among the most significant nontimber forest products that can potentially support Ethiopia’s economic development and environmental protection. However, its potential is constrained by limited understanding of its importance and market development. Thus, this study was conducted to fill the knowledge gap by identifying factors affecting highland bamboo culm market supply in Semen Ari district of the South Omo zone. Multistage sampling technique was employed to draw 183 bamboo producer households from three randomly selected highland bamboo producing sites. Household surveys, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews were used to collect data. The data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics and multiple linear regression model. The result indicated that market information, extension service, land allocated for bamboo production, the experience of households in selling bamboo products, market distance, family size, sex of the respondent, and age of household head were variable that significantly affected the supply of bamboo culm to the market. Hence, enhancing the production and productivity of bamboo products through extension, regular training for farmers concerning the processing of bamboo products, improving the relationships of value chain actors, and improving infrastructure could increase producers’ revenue as well as the marketed supply of highland bamboo culms.

Understanding households’ land use decisions is an input to policymakers, and rural land users to raise food security in the face of rapidly increasing world populations. It is also crucial to promote the efficiency households’ land use. This study investigates the profitability and factors influencing rural households’ land use decisions. For this study multistage sampling procedure was employed to choose the study area and 185 sample households were randomly selected. The obtained data were analyzed using financial analysis and a multivariate probit econometric model.The results publicized that the economic profitability of Eucalyptus woodlot land was highly greater than that of other land uses as indicated by the three performance indicators. The multivariate probit eonometric model results indicate that the age of the household head, household size, on-farm income, land tenure security, land size, access to extension services, land ownership, access to the market, and the number of tropical livestock units statistically and significantly affect rural household land use decisions. Therefore, attention should be given to the design of policies and strategies for encouraging Eucalyptus woodlot-based land use which is more economically feasible than other land uses without undermining the food security status of rural households. Clinical trial number: Clinical trial number is not applicable.

The study was conducted to demonstrate empirically the carbon stocks of Coffee based agroforestry at Nono Sale District, southwestern Ethiopia. Stratify the study area into three strata based on the Species Abundance, availability of coffee and Density (Mixed Natural Forest coffee strata 51 ha, Albizia strata 34 ha and Syzygiam strata 20 ha) a total 34 nested plots 20 m × 20 m, 2 m × 2 m and 1 m × 1 m were laid in the stratum to measure the biomass of woody plants, herbaceous, and litter biomass respectively. Soil samples was collected from the upper 0-30 cm depth. The Estimation of Carbon was done by using the generic equation AGTB =0.0673 × (ρD2H)^0.976 and AGB = 0.147 × d40² for tree biomass and coffee respectively. The total carbon stored in the CAF in the Strata ranged from 188.54 to 232.43 Mg ha^-1 with a mean of 203.97 Mg ha^-1. The Albizia CAF strata had significantly more carbon than natural mixed forest CAF Strata and Syzygiam CAF strata. 232.43 Mg ha^-1, 232.43 Mg ha^-1 and 188.54 respectably. Soil carbon was found 10.32Mg ha^-1 in natural mixed forest CAF Strata, 9.8 Mg ha^-1 the Albizia CAF strata ha^-1 and 7.27 Syzygiam CAF strata. There was statically significant deferens at 0.1% but there is no significant effect at P< 0.05% between soil carbon stocks in the strata. On average, 75% of the carbon stored in tree biomass (above and below ground) and it is the largest carbon storage of the study area.

Currently, domestic wood product enterprises in Ethiopia are facing increasing competition from imports. Therefore, more needs to be done to address the evolving dynamics in public preference and taste while overcoming the pressure from the import market. However, the wooden furniture sector in Ethiopia is scarcely researched and documented to support the production and marketing system. This study investigated the determinants of consumer preferences for imported and domestic wooden furniture in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia. Multistage sampling was used to select a sample size of 385 consumers who had purchased wooden furniture. Data were collected using a structured questionnaire and analyzed through descriptive statistics, Kendall’s test, and the multivariate probit (MVP) model. The findings revealed that imported wooden furniture scored higher in terms of finishing, color, compatibility with other objects, and design, whereas domestic wooden furniture excelled in terms of durability, environmental friendliness, maintainability, and affordability. The MVP results indicated that wooden furniture preference was influenced by factors such as age, number of years in marriage, family size, number of years living in the city, occupation, and exposure to advertisements. The study recommends that domestic furniture companies enhance the finishing, design, color, and other desirable attributes of their products to attract and satisfy domestic demand, potentially reducing the need for imports. By focusing on improving multiple attributes, companies better cater to the preferences of consumers. Additionally, furniture companies should consider the diverse socioeconomic characteristics of consumers during the production of their furniture products to meet a range of needs.