Indigenous Knowledge, Traditional Cropping Systems, and Soil Fertility Management Practices Among Sorghum Farmers in Hararghe Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

This study documents indigenous knowledge, traditional cropping systems, and soil fertility management practices among sorghum farmers in the Hararghe Zone of Oromia, Ethiopia, and identifies constraints affecting their continued use. A cross-sectional mixed-methods approach was employed involving 104 randomly selected households from Chiro, Mieso, and GulBordodde districts, complemented by informal interviews and group discussions. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and thematic analysis. Results showed that sorghum production remains strongly supported by indigenous knowledge and farmer-managed practices. Although 57.7% of farmers cultivated improved varieties, 81.8% relied on saved seed, demonstrating the importance of informal seed systems. Crop rotation (47.1%) and intercropping (37.5%) were the dominant cropping systems, with maize, common bean, and chickpea as major companion crops. Soil fertility management relied mainly on crop rotation (50.0%) and animal manure application (37.5%), with farmers combining multiple practices across cropping periods. Farmers showed high awareness of soil fertility improvement and conservation practices; however, limited access to inputs, pest and disease pressure, weak extension services, land scarcity, and labor constraints hindered wider application. The study highlights the need to integrate indigenous knowledge with scientific innovations and institutional support to improve soil fertility, productivity, and resilience of smallholder sorghum systems.