Abstract:
This research was conducted in one of the districts in the SNNPR located in the
Gamo Gofa zone in the Southern Rift Valley. The objective this study is to assess
the problem of deforestation and explore how deforestation affects the livelihoods
of farming communities. The research was undertaken in an identified three
Kebeles from Arba Minch Zuria Wereda which are sub-urban villages of Arba
Minch town, making use of the questionnaire interview method and direct
observation. A household sample was obtained using a simple random sampling
technique; Information interviews were conducted with community
representatives, district level experts and development agents who worked in the
community. The results of the study indicated that the effects of deforestation on
land productivity, agriculture at large, had a negative effect on livelihoods of the
community members. Recommendations based on the research affirm the
necessity to undertake natural resource management starting with community
based management there by reducing the impact of land degradation on the
livelihood of farmers and ensuring food security and sustainable land
management.
