| Abstract: | In Ethiopia, land degradation is common environmental problem. It is one of
the major causes of low and declining agricultural productivity and
continuing food insecurity and rural poverty in the country as well as
particularly in Oromia region. There is limited information about cause and
effect of land degradation in Oromia region in general and, Awaro Kebele in
particular. In case to fill this gap, the major objective of the study was to
assess the cause of land degradation and its impacts on livelihoods of the
farmers in Awaro Kebele, Ambo District, Oromia region, Ethiopia. It was
more specifically designed to identify the major causes of land degradation
in the study area and to assess the impact of land degradation on crop
production and livestock production of rural households. To conduct this
study primary data was collected by using household survey. Secondary data
was collected from material like published books and unpublished books. The
collected data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics such as means,
frequency and percentage and narration and explanation of facts were used
to analyze qualitative data. The survey data was collected from 99 sample
respondent with interview. From the study results the finding identified that
the main cause of land degradation are: deforestation, population growth,
overgrazing and lack of awareness. As a result indicated the consequences
of land degradation in the study area is loss of productive fertile soil, loss of
crop productivity, loss of animal productivity, loss of forest and vegetation
coverage and poverty. Generally, finding from the study recommended that
the government should have to introduce effective forest conservation
mechanism through public participation to inform each and every one about
the effectiveness of conserving the forest and to design appropriate land use
policy and strategy to protect the land from degradation. |
