AGROFORESTRY PRACTICES OF FARMERS ON DEGRADED FARM LAND: A CASE OF DANGILA WOREDA, AMHARA REGION, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Agroforestry is considered as one of the ways to minimize deforestation in order to mitigate climate change and enhancing vegetation cover, and improving the living standards of forest dependent communities.The main objective of the study was to explore the agroforestry practices of farmers on degraded farmland in dangila woreda at dimsa timim and washa kablita kebeles. To collect data from respondents, the researcher used questionnaires, observation and interviews. The researcher used a sample size of 120 in order to make the study more of accurate and feasible. The researcher also used (Cochran, 1999) sample determination formula. After determining the proportionality of sample household heads of each Kebele, simple random sampling methods was implemented by coding total population of each sample Kebele. It conducted in pragmatic approach in a combination of qualitative and quantitative methods for triangulation focus.Analysis of the data was also done using descriptive through narration and thematically. Therefore, the researcher employed the quantitative data gained from close ended questionnaire; qualitative data mainly gained from observations, interviews. Findings were household heads strived to adopt agroforestry practices that gave them more social, economic and environmental benefits and it aimed to secure property rights and reduce disputes. 68.33% and 31.67% as positive attitudes of farmers on adoption of agroforestery, respectively፤ the majority of non-adopters the perception of adoption of agroforestery was positive, (35%) none adopers had positive attitude. The results of the logistic regression model estimate indicated that the major factors were educational levels, extension service, perception of house holds and distance from nursery site of households’ head (.002***, .045**, .043** and .004***) of these variables were found to had a significant influence on the probability of being adopters at less than 1% and 5% probability level respectively. Finally, the researcher based on the findings the government and other stakeholders should consider the views expressed by the local communities and take the necessary steps to reduce challenges facing to implement agroforestry practice in the study area.