FARMERS’ PERCEPTION AND DETERMINANTS OF EUCALYPTUS WOODLOT MANAGEMENT IN WOGERA DISTRICT, NORTH GONDAR, ETHIOPIA

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.