Determinants of Land Use and Land Cover Change in Small Holder Crop-Livestock System: The Case of Quhar Michael, Fogera Woreda, Amhara Region, Ethiopia
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Date
2009-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The main objective of this thesis is to explore the determinants of LULCC in small
holder mixed crop-livestock farming systems. To achieve this objective Quhar Michael
kebele, which represent typical small holder mixed farming system in Ethiopian
highlands, is selected for the case study. The study covers the period since 1972. The
devised information for the study is gathered from satellite images, household survey,
key informant interviews, focus group discussions, related literatures, and relevant
legal documents.
The results reveal that the kebele has gone through fundamental LULCCs in the past
four decades. The major change is the expansion of crop land and the concomitant
shrinking of other categories of LULe. In the period, crop land witnessed an increase of
34%, whereas grazing, forest and bare land show a decrease. Five major driving forces
behind the observed LULCCs are identified. These are: population growth, irrigation
intensification, consumption, land degradation, and rules and regulations. The study
also finds that these driving forces are proximate causes in the sense that other factors
which are deep rooted in the nature of production system that use land as a major
resource are inherent determinants of these driving forces and their impact on LULCC
as well. Tluee state intervention, market peneh'ation, and nature of social networks and
institutions are the major determinants that operate interactively and shape drivers of
LULCe. State intervention in terms of agricultural modernization, property right
definition and surplus extraction shape both the intensity and direction of land use
changes which directly transfer into changing land cover. Market peneh'ation
aggravated demand land products. Notably, market driven demand for crop
production interacted with prevalent social and political environment determined the
intensity of crop land expansion. Social institutions play an intermediary role between
pressure on land resources and availability of land resources. Specifically the diverse
social institutions in the kebele determine the observed LULCC by their impact on
resource use change tluough optimal allocation of factors of inputs over time.
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CHAPTER ONE
INTRODUCTION
This chapter gives an overview on the central theme of the research. It further presents
a statement of the research problem, the research objective, research questions, and
significance of the research, scope and organization of the thesis.
1.1 Introduction
Currently about 840 million people in the world are estimated to be undernourished, of
which some 210 million live in sub-Saharan Africa (McCartney, n.d). Problems of food
availability as well as improving the living standard of the people have direct
relationship with land utilization (Mandai, 1982). However, at present land use
practices in many developing countries are resulting in land, water, and forest
degradation, with significant repercussions for the counh·ies agriculture sectors, natural
resource base and eco- environmental balances (World Bank; 2006).
Description
Keywords
Livestock System