Moringa Production Potential and Constraints in Selected Kebeles of Dire Dawa City Administration, Eastern Ethiopia

Moringa stenopetala is a deciduous plant cultivated in the southern part of Ethiopia and expands to the rest of the country. It is indigenous to Ethiopia, distributed in the lowland ecology of the southern and eastern part of the country. The plant is used for food, fodder, shade, windbreak, cash and traditional medicine. It is a contingency crop in frequently drought-affected lowland areas with its high yielding capacity under drought condition and it can be harvested all year round. This study was conducted with the objectives of analyzing the production, potential of Dire Dawa city administration of this cabbage tree, and identifying constraints and opportunities for its production. Data were collected from Addada , Balewa , Harele ,Jeledesa , Legahare , Lege Mirga and Melka Jebidu  kebeles with a total usable sample of 364 households, interview was  made in each selected rural kebeles to collect a primary data. In addition, interview was carried out with senior Official from Bureau of forest and rural bureau and environmental protection office and secondary data collection were undertaken to supplement the primary data. Both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques were used to analyze the data. The finding reviled that despite low understanding of the benefit of the plant and its marketability potential, the area has high potential for production of the plant. Keywords: Cabbage tree; contingency crop; drought porn; Moringa; production; awareness