Determinants of Land Degradation in case of Genji Woreda Western Wollega Zone Oromia Region, Ethiopia.

Abstract

Land degradation is the common environmental problem in the world. It is one of the major causes of low and declining agricultural productivity and continuing food insecurity and rural poverty. In addition, land degradation directly affected the type of plant growth on the area, reduced availability of potable water, lessened volume of surface water, depletion of aquifers and biodiversity loss. The major causes are rapid population increase; sever soil loss, deforestation, low vegetative cover and unbalanced crop and livestock production. Topography, soil types and agro- ecological parameters are also additional factors affecting the land degradation process in Ethiopia influenced by man. Throughout, history, efforts to combat land degradation is focused on physical conservation structures. However, use of vegetative measures, is very much limited. In order to overcome this problem the researcher conducted this thesis with the determinants of land degradation in Ganjiworeda,oromia region Ethiopia. Purposive and systematic random sampling techniques were employed to obtain three selected rural kebele administration and 332 household heads from sample kebeles respectively. To meet the objective, primary data was collected through questionnaire, interview, focus group discussion and observation from households, DA experts and leaders as well as NGO, while secondary data were collected from published and unpublished materials. By the use of SPSS software version 20, the researcher analyzed data through descriptive, inferential statistics and binary logistic regression model.Major problems land degradation is shortage of farm land size, loss of biodiversity, soil degradation, soil erosion, climate change. This negative effect was attributed mainly to traditional fuel wood consumption, construction material, low income, population growth & lack of effective rules and regulations on protecting land resources. Moreover, failures to relate land policy to overall development, lack of commitment at individual and organizational level in land conservation are some of prevailing constraints of land resources.