Water hyacinth [Eichhornia Crassipes (Mart.)] invasion: implications for livelihoods in the central Rift Valley of Ethiopia

• DOI: 10.3389/fsufs.2024.1490881
• Publication Date: 2025-01-06T06:59:04Z
• Authors: Assefa Gudina; Dagne Getachew Wo...; Aseffa Seyoum; Feyera Senbeta; Engdawork Assefa; Afework Alemayehu
• Keywords: Hyacinth; Eichhornia crassipes

Water hyacinth spans extensive geographic areas in tropical and semi-tropical regions. Its impact on livelihoods is connected to the production of crops, fish, livestock, other activities that influence costs returns for rural smallholders. This invasive weed affects crop by invading farmland adjacent lakes has an livestock covering grazing land meant animal feed. Although several studies have been conducted Ethiopia, livelihood water scarcely analyzed, quantified, documented. study evaluates adverse effects hyacinth, particularly production, management, fish harvesting, off-farm incomes, comparing groups respondents’ proximity Lake Koka Demel Central Rift Valley Ethiopia before after a specified period. Data were collected from 348 sample households based nearness farmlands lakes, both (≤ 300 m) distant invaded six focus group discussions, key informant interviews, field observations assess using propensity scores, difference-in-differences, weighted least squares methods. The result difference-in-differences shows decline total annual income 823 ETB, 329 ETB per year, 6,952 year those living lakes. varies according intensity infestation, it adversely reducing yields activities. did not find any significant harvested fish. Other control variables, such as education, experience, interactions like dependency-age, experience-education, land-lake, also influenced livelihood. As hypothesized, caused differences on-farm incomes between respondents. Further research suggested investigate species favored affected this weed. Ultimately, interest communities, regional offices, policymakers, scientists.