Farmers' Perception of Land Degradation: The Case Of Lume Woreda, Oromia Region
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Date
2012-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Various forms of land degradation are causing serious challenges to the present and future land
productivity and sustainable development in Ethiopia. This study was conducted to examine
farmers' perception about land degradation in Lume Woreda of East Shoa Zone of Oromia
Regional Sate. Data were collected using household survey, focus group discussion, key
informant interview and observation. The study findings show that about 83% of the
respondents perceived land degradation problems in the study area. The major types of land
degradation identified were soil erosion, loss of soil productivity, loss of habitats, mass
movements of soil (land slide) and salinization. The major causes of land degradation indicated
were soil erosion, deforestation, poor farming practices, human population pressure, erratic
pattern of rainfall, and climate change. However, the level of perception is influenced by different
demographic and socioeconomic factors . Age, education level, farm land size, contact with
extension worker, membership in community based organization, number of livestock and offfarm
work are found to affect farmers' perception on land degradation. But, the study underlines
that there is no evidence that farmers' marital status, sex and family size affect the perception of
farmers' about land degradation. Thus, enhancing livelihood diversification and promoting
feasible alternative resource conserving technologies than educating about the problems can
improve land degradation problems. Finding of this study have important policy implications for
controlling land degradation in the study area as well as in the country.
Key Words: Farmer perception, Development, Land degradation, Land management
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Keywords
Farmer perception, Development, Land degradation, Land management