Determinants of farmland degradation among farming households in West Guji Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

This paper aimed to examine the determinants of farmland degradation in the West Guji Zone. The study employed data collected in 2020 from a sample of 385 farm households selected using a simple random sampling technique. An ordered probit model was run to examine the association of explanatory variables with the severity of farmland degradation. Farm plot assessment results indicate that most farm plots were categorized as slightly degraded, followed by moderate, non-degraded, and severe degradation statuses. The study indicated that the main causes of farmland degradation were intensive cultivation without fallow, deforestation, high precipitation, overgrazing, steep slopes, and wind. The ordered probit results revealed that age of household heads, number of plots, and slope of the farmland positively and significantly influenced the severity of farmland degradation, while sex of household heads, soil conservation status, family size, education, land-to-labor ratio, and extension contact were negatively and significantly associated with the severity of farmland degradation. Therefore, the study suggests the provision of training to farming households, promotion of cost-effective modern feed resources and homemade biogas, implementation of a participatory management approach, scaling-up existing land management practices, ensuring the sustainability of natural resource use, and a close linkage between farmers and extension agents to minimize farmland degradation.

Keywords:

• Farmland degradation
• deforestation
• overgrazing
• soil conservation
• extension contact
• participatory approach

Public interest statement

Land degradation is posing a critical challenge to humans, the environment, and the economy. Its impacts are severe in Africa, where the vast majority of populations primarily rely on natural resources as means of livelihood. Thus, it is crucial to understand the underlying causes of farmland degradation to design and implement appropriate strategies that offset its impacts. To this effect, this study generated relevant information regarding the state of farmland degradation, the extent to which local farmers are participating to mitigate its impacts, and analyzed the socioeconomic, institutional, and biophysical causes of farmland degradation in the West Guji Zone. The study results are expected to be used by experts of the agricultural and natural resources office to address the problem of land degradation and maintain sustainable agricultural production.

Ethical considerations

As this study employed a survey approach, ethical approval and informed consent were not required for this study. This is because ethical approval and informed consent are most often reported by experimental research involving human and animal subjects in Ethiopia. In this study, participants were included based on their willingness to participate after the details of the purpose of the study were briefed before the interview, including a promise to keep the confidentiality of information provided by them. Moreover, codes were assigned to the samples during the survey with a little emphasis on the participants’ names. Materials from other sources other than the findings of the study have been duly acknowledged through citation.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the author(s).

Notes

1. The smallest administration unit in Ethiopia.

Additional information

Funding

This work was financed by Bule Hora University.

Notes on contributors

Mengistu Bululta

Mengistu Bululta is a lecturer at Bule Hora University, Ethiopia. He has a BSc and an MSc degree in Agricultural Economics. His areas of research are farm management, value chain analysis, agribusiness management, and food security.

Haile Tamiru

Haile Tamiru is a lecturer at Bule Hora University, Ethiopia. He has a BSc degree in Geography and Economics, and an MSc degree in Agricultural Economics. His area of research includes food security, farm management, resource economics, climate change, and technical efficiency analysis. He has published papers in different journals.

Tariku Ayele

Tariku Ayele is a lecturer at Bule Hora University, Ethiopia. He is graduated with a BSc degree in Agricultural Resource Economics and Management and an MSc degree in Agricultural Economics. His areas of research are agribusiness management, agricultural marketing, agricultural technology adoption, economic efficiency, and impact analysis. He has published papers in different journals.