Enset Landraces: Conservation, Distribution, and Use in an Enset‐Based Agricultural System

Enset, a vital food security crop for over 25% of Ethiopia's population, supports diverse landraces adapted to varied ecological conditions, serving as food, animal feed, medicine, and fiber. A study across Hadiya, Gedeo, Gurage, Kembata Tembaro zones, and Basketo Special Woreda revealed moderate to high enset landrace diversity, with 274 vernacular names recorded but only 106 actively cultivated. Despite this, no significant differences in diversity were observed among sites. Food value was identified as the primary driver of landrace selection and abundance. The research employed in-depth interviews, surveys, group discussions, and field observations to analyze distribution and richness using Simpson’s diversity, Shannon–Wiener, and Margalef’s indices. The findings underscore the importance of maintaining landrace diversity and traditional knowledge for sustainable enset agriculture, resilience, and food security.

Kibatu, T., Feyissa, T., Demissew, S., & Muleta, D. (2025). Enset Landraces: Conservation, Distribution, and Use in an Enset‐Based Agricultural System. Scientifica, 2025(1). Portico. https://doi.org/10.1155/sci5/7440580