Challenges of Land Degradation and its Management: The Case of Misirak Badawacho Woreda of Hadiya Zone, Snnpr, Ethiopia
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Date
2016-05
Authors
Yohannes, Worku
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Publisher
Addis Ababa University
Abstract
In this study questionnaire, interview and focus group discussions were used as a means of
primary data collection tools while secondary data were collected from relevant authority
reports and records. The data was analyzed both by qualitative method and quantitative method.
The findings of the research showed that the study area is suffering from land degradation. It is
caused by population pressure, continuous cultivation, free grazing/overgrazing, deforestation,
unseasonal heavy rainfall and steep slope cultivation. Land management strategies of farmers
include: terracing, soil bunds and contour plaguing are mostly practiced. The educational status
of farmers and their access to extension services as well as farmers’ training have significant
positive impact on farmers to land management practices. The researcher concludes that even
though the Woreda have been practicing different types of land management practices, however,
the changes on the ground are very less and not continuous. The researcher recommends that
Woreda should intensively work on provision of better alternative measures of natural resource
conservations like agro-forestry and work on capacity building of farmers to do so. Government,
NGOs, Institutions and community at large should work on the issue of land management cooperatively on permanent manner. Different opportunities and supportive activities are recommended for off farm activities and so on.
Keywords: Land management, terracing, soil bunds, contour plaguing, land degradation,
population pressure, continuous cultivation free grazing, deforestation, unseasonal
heavy rainfall, steep slope cultivation
Description
Keywords
Land Management, Terracing, Contour Plaguing, Land Degradation, Population Pressure, Continuous Cultivation Free Grazing, Steep Slope Cultivation