ASSESSMENT OF FARMERS’ PERCEPTION TO DEFORESTATION, IN SODO WOREDA, GURAGE ZONE, SOUTH CENTRAL ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Deforestation in Ethiopia is remained increasingly at alarming rate and the rate of afforestation was not adequately equal with high rate of clearing forest resources for different purposes. This study was aimed at assessing farmer’s perception to deforestation, and its causes and consequences in Sodo-Woreda (Gurage zone) based on the perception of households. The study was based on descriptive survey and followed cross sectional design encompassing both qualitative and quantitative data. A total of 192 sample respondents were selected through systematic random sampling. The data were analysed by using simple descriptive statistics such as percentage, frequency, tables and charts. Qualitative data were analysed through interpretation and conceptual generalization. Result of the study showed that deforestation is not only a real threat but it is also a critical problem in Soddo Woreda (Gurage- Zone). Poverty is a major determinant of the way in which people make decisions about resource use. In the study area human induced mismanagement of natural resource is a root cause of forest degradation together with concomitant climate changes. Unwise utilization of natural resources such as forest basically implies the risk of over using and degrading these resources in the area. Factors such as production of fire wood and charcoal, expansion of crop farming, exploitation of forest for construction materials (ex. timber) over- browsing and over grazing, and settlement, infrastructure and urban expansion were the main direct cause of deforestation problem in the study area underlain by growing population and poverty. Results of the study also indicated that, increasing local temperature and soil erosion, drought, shortage of forest products, loss of bio-diversity (plant and animal species), etc., were the major negative effects of deforestation problem in the study area. Therefore, the woreda agriculture and rural development offices and every concerned stakeholder should be a promotion of environmental education and awareness, and the expansion of alternative energy sources, training, fuel saving technology, diffusion should be facilitated in order to reduce their dependency on fuel wood.