Contributions of Eucalyptus Woodlot Production for Smallholder Farmers’ Livelihood from Income Perspective: The Case of Wogera District, North Gondar Zone, Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

Eucalyptus grows at different parts of the world resisting various weather conditions. The area of eucalyptus plantations has now expanded greatly and growing eucalyptus at a farm level in a form of woodlot has become popular among smallholder farmers in Ethiopia, Wogera district too. The aim of this study is to investigate the contribution of eucalyptus woodlot production for smallholder farmers’ livelihood in Wogera district. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected from primary and secondary sources. Multistage sampling procedure was used to select 118 sample respondent households from three purposively selected Kebeles of the district. Household survey, key informant interview, field observation and focused group discussion were used to collect primary data. Secondary data were collected from different sources to supplement the data obtained from the survey. Descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean), t-test and chi-square test were employed to analyze data. Binary logit model was also employed to identify the determinant factors of smallholder farmers’ participation in eucalyptus woodlot production. The study revealed that participation of smallholder farmers in eucalyptus woodlot production affected negatively by family size and fertility of land, and positively by farm size, access of market, and farmers’ perception towards eucalyptus woodlot production. The role of eucalyptus woodlot production play in stabilizing farmers’ livelihoods income diversification is great. It contributes 29.22% of the total annual household income. Participant households have better household assets portfolios than non-participant households. The area have a number of livelihood options with a great opportunities. Thus, eucalyptus woodlots should be planted in the right site and tended properly to optimize its positive values and reduce possible negative effects. Moreover, implementing alternative livelihood options of the area to each households of the district based on proper assessment of market and profitability are essential that could be diversify alternative income generations, and improve the livelihood of subsistence smallholder farmers. These are modernized livestock production, fattening of cattle and sheep, modernized poultry production, clustered plantation of eucalyptus woodlots and implement soil and water conservation technologies, fruit and vegetable production, irrigation and modernized petty production. To overcome the problems of serious land use competition between eucalyptus woodlot establishment and food crops in-depth community based participatory research is needed