STUDY OF UNDERUTILIZED CROP SPECIES DIVERSITY AND DETERMINANTS OF DIVERSIFICATION IN DARARA WOREDA, SIDAMA REGION, ETHIOPIA

ABSTRACT: Underutilized crop species is used to refer to those plant crop species, which were widely grown in the past, but not at present for various reasons relating to economics and agronomics factors. The purposes of this study are to describe, characterize and document the diversity and status of underutilized crops in the study area. The study was conducted in Darara Woreda Sidama region, Ethiopia. It is located 313 km south of Addis Abeba, capital city of Ethiopia. It is also 40kmfrom Hawassa, the capital of Sidama regional state. The total number of household heads in the study areas was 3700. Based on this household heads, the total sample size of general informants and key informants calculated was 360. Systematic sampling technique was employed to collect vegetation data. Interviewing /or administering a questionnaire, observation and quad rant is a method of collecting data of underutilized crop species. A total of 46 quadrats select fro m the study area randomly. Out of these 12 quadrates were from Chiquala Bore, 6 quadrates were from Chireko Bore, 9 quadrates were from Chireko Wacho, 3 quadrates were from Darara Gorbe, 9 quadrats were from Darara Shae, 7 quadrats were from Dilla Arpe by purposively. Qu adrats measuring 20m x 20m for mature trees, the other sub quadrats were 5 m x 5 m for shrub a nd 2 m x 2 m for herbaceous and grasses. Shannon - Wiener Diversity Index is the most applicable index of data analysis. A total of 28 underutilized crop species distributed in 19 families. Crop species are not disease resistant, not drought resistant, have less demand those have no (less) market demand The study shows that the rural dwellers engaged in the low utilization of underutilized crop species for basic needs. A specific policy provision that encourages the promotion of these underutilized crops in study area is therefore suggested.