The role of garsa (dobera glabra) for household food security at times of food shortage in Aba'ala Wereda, North Afar: ecological adaptation and socio-economic value: a study from Ethiopia

The endangered Dobera glabra plant species is highly valued for its diverse importance, including as a drought food and feed source and as a tool for forecasting the coming of drought. This paper assesses the role of D. glabra for household food security.

The study was based on a combination of research methods, including:

• semi-structured interviews to assess the socio-economic and cultural aspects of the plant
• germination trials for different treatments and seed forms
• cooking trials using different water types
• propagation tests for stem cuttings
• an analysis of the chemical composition and nutritive value of edible parts of this plant
• measurement of the plant’s distribution in the Kala rangeland of Aba`ala

The study’s key findings include the following:

• D. glabra is high in mineral content, as believed by the pastoralists: the edible fruit and folliage have good nitrogen content, the ash content is high and the CP content is high enough to support animals’ requirements if browsed well
• the plant cannot perpetuate through the stem cutting method of propagation. The best way to propagate it is by using seed
• D. glabra has nutritive value nearly comparable to most common wild food fruits

Based on the findings of this study, the authors recommend that more attention should be given to D. glabra through appropriate propagation and protection measures, and suggest these findings can serve as baseline information to encourage the local people to propagate it. They also highlight the need for further in-depth investigation on D. glabra relating to pest problems, animal browsing influences, the effect of storage period on seed viability and survival of seedlings.