LAND DEGRADATION ASSESSMENT AND ITS SOCIO-ECONOMIC IMPACTS IN META WOL KITE WOREDA WEST SHOA OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA.

Abstract

Land degradation is a negative trend in land condition, caused by direct or indirect human – induced processes, expressed as long term reduction in biological productivity, ecological integrity, or value to humans. It is the common environmental problem in Ethiopia as well as in Meta Wol- Kite woreda since the study area is a part of Ethiopia. In addition, land degradation directly affects socio-economic activities. The major causes of land degradations are rapid population increases, sever soil loss, deforestation, low vegetation cover, over grazing and unsustainable land use. Efforts to combat land degradation is focused on physical conservation structures such as agro forestry, contour framing, afforestation, reafforestation, sustainable land use management .The general objective of the study was Land degradation assessment and its socio-economic impacts in Meta Wol-Kite woreda. Specifically the study were to identify the causes of land degradation, determine the magnitude, rate and extent of land degradation in the study area, identify the effects of land degradation and finally, to identify strategies to reduce land degradation in the study area specifically in three selected kebeles .Necessary information was collected through questionnaire, interview, focus group discussion, key formant interview from sample of 192, households. In order to address the stated objective, the researcher used both qualitative and quantitative research approaches .For this study, necessary data were collected through primary and secondary data sources and the collected data were analyzed by using descriptive statistics. From field observation and data obtained from farmers of the study area, there were widespread of land degradation that results affect socio economic activity in the study area. The results of this study show that, land degradation is a serious problem which negatively affects the socio economic condition of the study area. About 96.87% of respondents replied that, there was land degradation in the study area and the problems of land degradation is increasing from time to time .The study area would have improving soil fertility status and sustainable forest-land management through introduction of soil and water conservation strategies. Prohibit excess number of livestock with limited grazing land that results in over grazing which leads to land degradation in addition to poor productivity from the sector and protection of the land against over grazing