Determinants of farmers, perception towards forest conservation in western low lands of Ethiopia

ABSTRACT

This study was conducted in North Western Ethiopia to identify key factors that explain farmers’ perception towards forest conservation using primary data, collected from 135 respondents. Descriptive statistics, factor analysis, and regression analysis techniques were used to analyse the data. The findings of the study revealed that education level was positively correlated with low perception of farmers towards conservation of forest at the 5% level of significance. Land size had a negatively explained low perception of farmers towards conservation of forests. Diversity of income sources has explained forest conservation positively. Forest conservation initiatives should promote education, alternative livelihoods, and intensive land management.

KEYWORDS:

• Perception
• forest
• conservation
• attitude
• forest value
• economic
• environmental

Acknowledgements

The authors wish to express their sincere gratitude to thank the farmers and local administrators of the study area for their assistance during the field work and the University of Gondar for providing financial support to carry out this research. Thanks to the district offices of Agriculture and all the technical staff of the respective districts of West North Gondar, Amhara Region Ethiopia.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1 According to Ethiopian administrative hierarchy, a kebele is the lowest administrative unit.

Additional information

Notes on contributors

Degsew Melak

Degsew Melak. Department of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia. Email: [email protected]

Abebe Dagnew

Abebe Dagnew. Department of Agricultural Economics, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia. Email: [email protected]

Sisay Yehuala

Sisay Yehuala. Department of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia. Email: [email protected]

Adugna Gelaw

Adugna Gelaw. Department of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension, University of Gondar, Gondar, Ethiopia. Email: [email protected]