Senbeta, Feyera (PhD)Kebede, Etsegenet2018-10-032023-11-182018-10-032023-11-182012-06http://etd.aau.edu.et/handle/12345678/12431Various 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 managementenFarmer perceptionDevelopmentLand degradationLand managementThesis