Farmers' Awareness and Responses to The Effects of Population Growth on The Environment: The Case of Tehulederie Woreda, South Wollo Zone of Amhara Region
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Date
2008-06
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Addis Abeba university
Abstract
The main objective of the study is to examine the level of awareness and responses of farmers to
the effects of population growth on the environment, with the case of Tellllietferie Woretfll of
South Wollo Zone of Amhara Region. Primary data were gathered from four sample Kebeles on
the basis of 400 randomly selected households through a survey questionnaire, focus group
discussions and key informant interviews. The survey was conducted from March 29 - April 14,
2008.
Uni-variate analysis was made to assess the background characteristics of respondents. A bivariate
analysis was carried out to find the differential effects of demographic and socioeconomic
variables on the level of fatmers awareness and their responses to mitigate forest
depletion and agricultural land degradation. A multi-variate analysis (logistic regression) was
conducted to assess the net effect of each predictor factor so as to best fit the model.
Among thirteen pertinent demographic and socioeconomic factors, the predictor variables that
have influenced the level of awareness and responses of farmers in rehabilitating the environment
and averting high birth rate are: participation of fatmers in the environmental conservation
activities, contacts to family planning and conservation agents, literacy status and size of
landholding.
On the basis of the study findings, the following recommendations are made. Aggressive
reproductive health programme to avert the high birth rate in Tellllietferie Woretfll should come
's re roductive heal
The irrigation scheme which is being utilized only for horticulture development, mainly Chlll,
should be averted though awareness creation radio programmes and inculcate into the minds of
the farmers the benefits of mixed farming.
Increased "participation in environmental conservation activities" of farmers should be
encouraged to draw maximum benefit out of the practices of terracing, afforestation, ilTigation
and intensification techniques
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Keywords
The Effects of Population