Indigenous knowledge, diversity, and management practices of Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheesman in Bita District, Southwestern Ethiopia: Implications for conservation and food security

Background Enset ( Ensete ventricosum (Welw.) Cheeseman) is a vital staple crop in southern and southwestern Ethiopia, providing food, fiber, medicinal resources, and cultural value. Despite its importance, enset cultivation faces challenges including diseases, pests, decreasing land availability, and diminishing interest among younger generations. Documenting indigenous knowledge (IK) of enset cultivation is critical for preserving biodiversity, sustaining livelihoods, and ensuring food security. Methods A mixed-methods approach was employed, integrating household surveys (N = 204), key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations. Data collection focused on enset propagation, planting patterns, fertilization, pest and disease management, harvesting, processing, and socio-cultural uses. Preference ranking and direct matrix ranking techniques were used to identify the most valued enset varieties, while statistical analyses in R software (version 4.4.3) examined the relationships between indigenous knowledge, age, gender, and education. Results Vegetative propagation via suckers was the dominant method, with farmers applying organic fertilizers and traditional pest management practices. Preference ranking indicated Nobo, Bejo, and Tayo as the most valued varieties based on food, fiber, and medicinal qualities. Direct matrix ranking highlighted multipurpose uses, reinforcing the socio-economic and cultural significance of enset. Age positively correlated with indigenous knowledge (r = 0.634, p < 0.01), while gender and literacy had no significant effect. Major threats included bacterial wilt (45.6%), mole rats (21.6%), and animal attacks (15.7%). Knowledge transfer from older to younger farmers emerged as a critical factor in sustaining cultivation practices. Conclusion Indigenous knowledge is central to the successful cultivation, management, and utilization of enset. Integrating traditional practices with modern interventions, promoting disease-resistant varieties, and engaging younger generations are essential to enhance productivity, maintain biodiversity, and secure food systems.