Abstract:
Urban tree nurseries are becoming important socio-economic activities in major cities of Ethiopia
that contributing for the livelihood enhancement of the owners producing seedlings of
commercial and ornamental trees and shrubs, Despite the general socio –economic and
environmental significance of urban nursery business enterprises in Ethiopia and particularly in
Bahirdar and Gondar cities, the seedling production system and their socio-economic
contributions are not adequately studied and documented. This study was conducted with an
overall objective of generating knowledge that contributes to the improvement of production
system and enhancing socio-economic contribution of urban small scale private tree nurseries. It
specifically: i), characterize the production system of urban small scale tree nurseries, ii),
evaluate financial profitability of urban small scale tree nurseries, iii), evaluate socio-economic
contribution of urban small scale tree nurseries and iv), identify challenges and opportunities of
small scale tree nursery productions. The study was conducted in Bahirdar and Gondar cities,
Selected purposively depend on purpose of the study. Primary data was collected from urban tree
nursery owners and key informants and FGD. Qualitative data was analyzed descriptively, while
quantitative data analysis involves financial analysis procedure. The study revealed that urban
tree seedling production activities are handled by both male and female. Majority of nursery
operators (83.3%) in Gondar and (54.5%) in Bahirdar started the seedling production system in
the last five years. This indicates the recently advancing of the tree nursery business in Bahirdar
and Gondar cities. Most of the land accessed by the nursery operators was government-owned
land. The categories of seedlings, group intermes of purposes, in the urban nurseries such as
forestry (40-46%), ornamental (42-43%), and horticultural (12-17%). Seedling production in
Gondar and Bahirdar cities are profitable business, an annual net profit of 338377- 810183 birr,
generally urban nursery seedling production is profitable business and a potential role for creation
of job opportunities in the cities. In light of the empirical observation of urban tree nurseries in
the study cities, improving access to water source, training for nursery practice, and management
and enterprise land tenure distribution and funding for starting the business are some of the
actions to be taken to strengthen the sector’s development
