Abstract:
This study was conducted in Wogera District, North Gondar zone. This study was conducted to
assess farmers’ perception and determinants of Eucalyptus woodlot management. The objectives
of this study were; i) To identify the existing establishment and management practices of
Eucalyptus woodlot in the study area ii) to investigate rationales of farmers and productivity
effects of using the management practices in the study area iii) to assess the perception of
smallholder farmers on the socioeconomic benefits and environmental effects of Eucalyptus
woodlot production; and iv)To examine factors affecting farmers decision of adopting different
woodlot management practices. To achieve these objectives 116 respondents were selected from
three Kebele administrations. Data was collected through focused group discussion, interview
schedule, key informant interview, observation and review of secondary sources. Descriptive
statistics such as mean, frequency, percentage and standard deviation were used; SWOT
analysis was also used to understand the strengths, weakness, opportunities and threats of
Eucalyptus woodlot production. Five point Likert scale was employed to analyze perception of
farmers on socioeconomic benefits and environmental effects of Eucalyptus woodlot production
and econometrics namely Multivariate probit model (MVP) was employed for the identification
of factors influencing households’ decision to use Eucalyptus woodlot management practices.
Generally, the result of the study showed that there is an increase in Eucalyptus plantation by
households in the study area. Households were rational to use woodlot management practices so
as to enhance the production and productivity of Eucalyptus. The result also revealed that
majority of household heads appreciates (positively perceived) that Eucalyptus has
socioeconomic benefits but they negatively perceived that effect of Eucalyptus on Environment.
On the other hand, the result of multivariate probit model showed that the likelihood of
households to adopt management practices was generally hoeing (59.4%), pruning (68.9%),
fencing (63.5%), spacing (51.3%), clear cutting (52.7%) but lower likelihood for thinning
(45.5%).The result also showed that the joint probability of using all management practices was
only 5.2% and the joint probability of failure to adopt all of the management practices was
1.2%. The probit model also confirms that sex, family size, farm size, active labor availability,
land tenure arrangement, access to extension service, Eucalyptus woodlot land size and off farm
employment had a statistically significant influence on the farmers decision to use Eucalyptus
woodlot management practices. Therefore, Eucalyptus like any other tree species should be
managed with the right management practices; planted in the appropriate site and tended
properly to maximize its positive values and reduce possible negative effects.
