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Opportunities and Challenges of Rehabilitation of Degraded Land in the Case

of Offa Woreda, Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia

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Texas Journal of Multidisciplinary Studies ISSN NO: 2770-0003
[Link] Date of Publication:18-09-2021
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Opportunities and Challenges of Rehabilitation of Degraded

Land in the Case of Offa Woreda, Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia
Elias Bojago1
1
Department of Environmental Science, College of Natural Computational Sciences, Wolaita Sodo
University, Wolaita Sodo, Ethiopia

Abstract: In Ethiopia, land degradation has become a serious problem affecting all spheres of the social,
economic and political life of the population. It is one of the major challenges to the agricultural
development and food security of the country. In order to solve the problem of land degradation, a lot of
efforts have been made since the 1970s. This research was conducted in the Case of Offa Woreda selected
kebeles. The major purpose of this study was to assess opportunities and challenges of degraded land
rehabilitation and the specific objectives of this research were to identify major opportunities and challenges
of degraded land rehabilitation in the study area. The study was undertaken in Offa Woreda selected kebeles
in the SNNPR region. In the study area the number of total households would be are 2155 and of the total
9% (82) was selected for this research study in order to achieve the objective of the study was gather, For
this study both primary and secondary data was generated. The primary data collection was started with a
preliminary survey followed by a key informant interview, focus group discussions, and a household survey
with questionnaires. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The quantitative data were
analyzed using frequency and percentage when appropriate. The qualitative data was discussed to
substantiate the study. And the results were expressed in the form of tables and graphs. The findings of the
study indicated that limited labour availability, high cost of maintenance. Lack of knowledge, topography,
soil conditions, high rainfall, high surfaces runoff, poor vegetation coverage, poor monitoring and
evaluation, poor implementation and poor training on the technology use are major challenges encountering
the land rehabilitation practices in an effective way.

Key words: Land Rehabilitation; Land Degradation; Challenges; Opportunities

Introduction
Background
In Ethiopian, land degradation has become a serious problem affecting all spheres of social,
economic and political life of the population. It is one of the major challenges to agricultural development
and food security of the country. The rate of the country's land degradation is very high. A large portion of
the agricultural land, which is mainly located in the highland part of the country, is affected by severe to
moderate land degradation (Kruger et al., 2001. However, is impairing the capacity of forests and the land to
contribute to food security and to provide other benefits such as fuel wood and fodder.
Soil degradation increases worldwide, especially in the tropical countries. Management of arable
areas by farmers and grazing areas by livestock owners is one of the major causes of soil degradation.
Natural hazards including land topography and climate factors such as: steep slope, frequent floods and torn
does blowing of high velocity wind, rain of high intensity strong leaching in humid regions and drought
conditions on dry regions. Deforestation of fragile and land over cutting of vegetation, shifting cultivation,
over grazing, unbalanced fertile use and non-adoption of soil conservation management practice (FAO,
2010).
Ethiopia for the last couple of decades has faced serious ecological imbalances because of large scale
deforestation and soil erosion caused by improper farming practices, destructive forest exploitation, wild fire
and uncontrolled grazing practices. This has resulted in a declining agricultural production, water depletion,
disturbed hydrological conditions, and poverty and food insecurity. Over the past three decades, many
governmental and non-governmental organizations have been involved in massive soil and water
conservation activities. However, the results achieved in reducing soil erosion problem and improving
agricultural productivity has been unsatisfactory (Daniel, 2002).

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As fertile soil is degrade, these who rely on the land are less able to grow or harvest sufficient food,
and their hope of improving their livelihoods are diminished. In this edition of new agriculturist, we focus
on some of the approaches and policies that can help successfully rehabilitate degraded land. While each of
the articles high light different approaches, the common one for successful restoration of farm land is the
importance of involving Local communities and the need to change existing agricultural practices (Tadess,
2001).

Objective of the study

General objective: The general objective of the study is to assess the opportunities and challenges of
degraded land rehabilitation practices on study area.
Specific objectives
❖ To identify major causes and consequences of land degradation in study area.
❖ To identify major opportunities for degraded land rehabilitation in the study area.
❖ To assess major challenges and shortcomings in undertaking land rehabilitation practices.

Materials And Method

Research Methodology
Description of Study Area
This study was conducted from December 04 to March 10, 2021 in three kebeles, Offa Woreda.
The selected study area was one of the Wolaita zone Woreda, SNNPR and the research was conducted to
estimate the opportunities and challenges of degraded land rehabilitation practices on study area. Gesuba is
the capital town of Offa Woreda which is 29 km from Wolaita Sodo and 414 Km from Addis Ababa capital
city of Ethiopia. The Woreda is bounded with Kindo Koysha Woreda in the north, Gamo Gofa Zone in the
south, Humbo and Sodo Zuriya in the East and Kindo Didaye Woreda in the west. Based on National
Census the projected total population of the Woreda in 2017 was 132,054, out of which, 65,765 and 66,291
were male and female, respectively. There are 21 rural and 2 urban kebeles in the Woreda. The total area of
the Woreda is 38,557 hectare. The cultivated proportional land according to the Woreda agriculture Office
information was 22,912 hectare or (59.4%). According to CSA (Central Statistical Agency) the Woreda is
situated at 6o37’07.63’’N-- 6o50’07.10’’N, latitude and Longitude: 37o24’18.06’’E-37o89’13.27’’E and
altitude: ranges 1200 -2800 meter above sea level. Geo-ecology of Offa Woreda: Kola, Weynadega and
Dega (22, 62 and 16%) respectively. The Woreda’s annual average rainfall is 800-1400 mm and annual
average temperature, 14 oC-34 oC (Offa Woreda Agriculture Office).
Study design
The study was designed in such a way that data could be gathered on biophysical (vegetation and soil)
in the land rehabilitation and in the open site. Community perception towards rehabilitation development
will be assessed. Reconnaissance survey will be made before the actual survey operation in order to
obtain a general picture about the land and the open site. Details of both biophysical and
community perception evaluation surveys was conducted after the preliminary survey.
Sampling Techniques
For the purpose of this study simple random sampling technique was employed to select the
respondents. This is by considering or understanding of the distance, the second reason is since there is
shortage of time and budget so it is difficult to conduct research in other far places. In the simple random
sampling will be used to select the sample household for household survey.
These techniques was employed with the assumption of it avoids bias of representative and it create an
opportunity to the all people in the population equal chance of being selected. The sample size for this study
was determined by using The Slovin's Formula, which is as follow:
Slovene formula:
𝑛 = 𝑁/(1 + 𝑁𝑒 2
𝑛 = 2155/ (1 + 2155 ∗ 𝑒2)
n=82 Therefore actual sample size for this research is 82.
Where: n = sample size
With 90 degree confidence level
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N = total number of household from k (2155)
e = margin of error (is the level of precision with the 9% of sampling intensity).

Method of data collection

Both primary and secondary data was used for this study. The primary data will be collected using
interview and semi structured questionnaires. In addition, observation and focus group discussion will be
done.
The secondary Data was collected from three selected Kebeles (Yakima, W/Dekeya and Galako) and
Woreda Agricultural offices, books, Journals, unpublished thesis, project report, and workshops.

Data Analysis
The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and the results expressed in the form of
tables and charts.

Results And Discussion

In this chapter the researcher tried to discuss and analyzes the date from questionnaires, observation
and discussion. The researcher has interviewed 82 respondents from selected Keble’s to get information
about the problem that was.

Background of the Respondents

Demographic characteristics of household
In demographic parameters: age, sex, educational status, marital, family size and land size status of
respondents are discussed as baseline for study since land rehabilitation practices are participatory
programmers encompasses all parameter of the respondents is important to determine which have
opportunities and challenges of land rehabilitation practices .As presented in Table 1, among the interviewed
households 91.463℅were males headed households and remaining 8.537℅ were female headed households.
Among them 86.55 % were productive age classes and 13.45 % were unproductive. Age classes of <15 and
>65 ℅ are categorized as unproductive and 15-65 are productive class. The productive age class is playing
very important roles in any development activities including of land rehabilitation practices activities in the
study area.
Based on the below table 1. About 1.2℅ single, 78.0 % married, 8.5 % divorces and 12.2℅ were
widowed. Marriage characteristic have the effect up on development initiatives. The households’ that have
head and husbands and their children undertaking collective participatory action on their agricultural land,
But those who have the single, divorced or widowed can undertake the action individually cannot easily
complete the rehabilitation action in on farm lands. Below table 1 reviled that more than half which covers
3.65℅ single, 82.537.0%, married client among respondent. The number of widowed respondent covers
4.878% of the total respondents and remaining 8.53% were divorced. This shows that the largest groups of
community who were participate on rehabilitation practices were married. The educational status is one of
the factors on the community land rehabilitation practices .The community having large number educated
individual easily accept technology regarding rehabilitation practices and undertaking and implement it
practically. The below table 1 shows that among total numbers of respondents that attends school currently
and educated including who are able to write their name is almost 96.59 % and remaining respondent almost
13,41% was can’t read and write. This shows that most of the respondents who participate in the area land
rehabilitation practices were educated.
Religion is one of the factors which affect rehabilitation practices in the case of Ethiopian context.
There are different religious holidays that do not allow the labor work regarding respective religious.
Majority of the People in the study area were dominantly protestant and they enforced to celebrate this
holiday in the month. This may have negative effect on the rehabilitation practices. The below table 1
shows that among total number of respondent the dominant group almost 96.3.% were protestant and the
remaining 3.7% follows orthodox. This reveals that most of the people who participate on the area of
rehabilitation practices were protestant.

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Table (1) Demographic characteristics of Respondents
parameter Status number %
Sex Male 75 91.463
Female 7 8.537
Total 82 100
Age 18-30 30 36.55
31-45 41 50
Above 65 11 13.45
Total 82 100
Education Can’t read and write 11 13.41
Elementary 50 60.9756
High school(9-12) 17 20.731

Diploma and above 4 4.878

Total 82 100
Religion orthodox 3 3.7
protestant 79 96.3
Total 82 100
Marital status Married 68 82.9268
Single 3 3.6585
divorces 7 8.53
Widow 4 4.878
Total 82 100
Source: structure interview in 2021

Land owned size

As shown on the figure 2 below. Respondents were requested to give feedback on their estimated
total size of their own farm lands. Based on this, around 46.3 % of individuals in the study area owned plot
of land less than 1ha, 40.20. % Were owned 1-2 ha of plot land, 11.0% were owned 3-4 ha and remaining
2.4 % had plot of land above 4ha. This represents that majority of the individual in the study were owned the
plot of land less than 1ha and few of them owned land above 4ha. This replays that there is shortage of farm
lands in the study area.

50.00% 46.30%
45.00%
40.20%
40.00%
35.00%
percentage

30.00% less than 1ha

25.00% 1-2ha
20.00% 3-4ha
15.00% 11% above 4ha
10.00%
5.00% 2.40%
0.00%
less than 1ha 1-2ha 3-4ha above 4ha
size of the plot land

Figure 2: Size of the owned lands.

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Topographic positions of the plot lands owned by individuals in the study area
Figure3 shows topographic positions of plot lands owned by individuals in the study area. Based on
this figure, about 64.6 % of individuals owned farm land which is found topographically on slope area,
29.3 % of individuals owned the plate land and remaining 6.1 % had land that found in valley area. This
indicates that majority of respondents in the study area owned slope land which can be easily affected by
erosion and were also susceptible for degradation by water erosion.

64.60%
80.00%
percentage of the
respondents

60.00%
29%
40.00%
6.10%
20.00%

0.00%
In vally land on sloppy land in plate land positions
Figure 3: Positions of the plot lands.

Causes of land degradation in study area

As shown on the table below 2&3, we classified the cause of land degradation as immediate and
underlying and interviewed individual to give feedback by ranking as 1st, 2nd, 3rd, and the like. Then among
the immediate causes, no fallowing (13.4%) of their farm land was the and 2nd a most immediate cause of
slopes land cultivation, (71.1%),overstocking (4.88%) ,deforestation (7.31%) and limited use of
conservation measures(6.15%) which was the last and least concern from community point of view.
And regarding underlying causes poverty (47.6%) was the base and fundamental underlying cause of
our land degradation followed by, land shortage (48.8%), steep topography (47.1), heavy rainfall (45.1.1%),
economic pressure (50.0%) population growth (41.3%) and as 1st ,2nd,3rd,4th, 5th, averty were the dominant
immediate and underlying cause of land degradation in the study area respectively. Cultivation is the major
immediate cause of land degradation in the study area and population pressure is dominant underlying cause
but in our finding lack of fallow was dominant immediate cause and poverty was the major underlying cause
(mesfine desalegn 2010). This indicates that poverty aggravates other related causes of land degradation in
the study area.
Table 2: Immediate causes of land degradation (n=82)
Parameter Frequency % ranking
Slope cultivation 59 71.1 1st
Lack of fallow 11 13.4 2nd
Deforestation 6 7.31 3rd
Over grazing 4 4.88 5th
Limited use of conservation 5 6.1 4th
Source: structure interview in 2021
Table 3: Underlying causes of land degradation (n=82)
Parameter Frequency % ranking
Poverty 21 25 1st
Land shortage 18 21.1 2nd
Economic pressure 15 18.3 3rd
Population growth 14 17 4th
Heavy rain fall 9 10.1 5th
Steep topography 5 6.1 6th
Total 82 100
Source: structure interview in 2021
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Forms of land degradation in the study area
According to the below Table 4, Individuals in the study area were requested to rank which of the
above forms of land degradation is common in their farm land. As it is clear that erosion by water (45.22%)
is the top of all forms and ranked as 1st followed by soil fertility decline (42.7%), forest degradation (12.2%)
and erosion by wind (0%) as 2nd, 3rd, and 4th rank respectively. this shows that the dominant form of land
degradation was water erosion and wind erosion was the no concern from community point of view in the
study area.
In the research conducted in high land of Kambata Tambaro zone, the researcher concluded that
erosion by water and deforestation were major forms of land degradation in the study area (mesfin desalegn
2010) which was the same as what we did found.
Table 4: Forms of land degradation (n=82)
Parameters Frequency % ranking
Water erosion 37 45.22 1st

Forest degradation 10 12.2 3rd

Wind erosion -- 0 -
Soil fertility decline 35 42.7 2nd
Source: Structure interview in 2021

Common types of erosion by water in the study area

The graph 4 shows the major types of erosion by water. About 42.7 % of respondents replied that
rill erosion is the dominant form of erosion by water and they also responded that rill erosion is visible and
helps us to recognize whether our land is being affected by erosion or not. Others around 23.2 % replied that
sheet erosion is dominant form of erosion in our farm land, 17.1 % responded that all form of erosion is
recognized in our farm land and remaining 13.4 % recognized gully erosion on their farm lands. Therefore
this shows that majority of respondents in the study area recognizes rill erosion as a dominant as compared
to the others.
In the research conducted SNNPR in Kambata Tambaro zone, researcher found that sheet erosion is
dominant type of erosion in the study area (mesfin desalegn 2010). But in our finding the rill erosion is the
dominant as compared to others. So the deference is in that sheet erosion in the area was research conducted
is easily recognizable by farmers

45.00% 42.70%
40.00%
35.00%
30.00%
percentage

25.00%
20.00% 23.20%
15.00% 17.10%
10.00% 13%
5.00%
0.00%
sheet erosion rill erosion gully erosion all forms of erosion

Types of erosion
Figure 4: Types of erosion

Indicators of land degradation

As shown on the below figure 5. We tried to interview about what were the indicators of land
degradation and how they recognize whether their land is being affected by erosion or not. However around
43% of individuals in the study area replied that visible rills on the cultivated plot of land is the major
indicator of land degradation that helps us to recognize our land which being affected by erosion and about
23.2% also responded that decreasing of soil depth observed when ploughing indicates us to recognize soil

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erosion, beyond this about 19.5 % replied that deposition of sediments below edge of plot forces us to
identify lands being affected by erosion and remaining 14.6 % responded that observed color changes after
run of leaving the plot is major indicator of soil erosion in our farm land.

50.00% 43%
Percentage 40.00%
30.00% 23.20%
20.00%
19.50%
10.00% 14.60%
0.00%
decrease in soil sedment visible rills observed color
depth deposition changes
Indicators

Figure 5: Indicators of land degradation

Common Land Rehabilitations Practices

As table 5 below shows that all individuals in the study area actively involved in land
rehabilitation practices listed below. Accordingly starting from the most dominant land rehabilitation
practices in the study area, around 30.5 % of individuals in the study area replied that use of ditches to slow
down surface run off and to divert it in to appropriate water ways is the dominant land rehabilitation
practice in our area followed by use of vet ever grass strip which constitutes around 22.0 % to trap sediment
and slow down over land flow, individuals in the study area were familiar with graded bunds(18.3%) which
is important to divert excess water to water way from farm land. In the study area use of agro forestry
(15.9%) as means of land rehabilitation was common but its primary objective is to improve their
livelihoods. Beyond this area closure which accounts 9.8% as means of land rehabilitation practice was
common but least concern from community point of view.
According to the result obtained from the finding conducted in kambata zone (mesfine 49esalegn
2010) , contour ploughing is the major land rehabilitation practice in the area but in our finding use of
ditches and vet ever grass strip is the dominant as compared to the others.

Table 5: land rehabilitation practices in the study area.

Parameters (%)

Area closure 9.8

Agro forestry 15.9
Graded bunds 18.3
Contour ploughing 3.7
Vet ever grass strips 22.0
Ditches 30.5
Source: Structure interview in 2021

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Figure 6: Common Land Rehabilitations Practices in the study area.

Soil fertility Management Practices in the Study area

Farmers at individual level practice different land management activities mainly to increase
agricultural yields and to conserve the natural environment on their plot of land. Farmers apply chemical
fertilizers to obtain high agricultural yield. Chemical fertile Inorganic chemical fertilizer application is a
prerequisite in the study area (29.27) as many parts of the country experience due to loss of soil fertility
which is caused by erosion. According to survey results, Agroforestry and compost (29.27% and 13.41%
respectively were one of the most important methods of improving soil fertility as well as conserving soils
on cultivated fields. Manure is used to be important input for promoting the fertility status of the soil. Its
application to farmland raises the nutrient level of the soil, increases infiltration and reduces soil erosion.
But only3.7 % of the respondents in study area use manure to improve soil fertility but its utilization as
means of soil fertility improvement was less as compared anthers .this shows that individuals in the study

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area does not give attention to manuring as means of improving soil fertility rather they impasses on use of
vet ever grass strip (26.8%) as means of soil fertility improvement.

Table 6: Soil fertility management practices (n=82)

Parameter frequency %
Chemical fertilizer 24 29.27
manuring 3 3.7
Agroforestry 17 20.73
Compost 11 13.4
Crop rotation 14 17
Inter cropping 5 6
Grass strip 8 9.8
Total 82 100
Source: Structure interview in 2021

Opportunities of degraded land rehabilitation

Family members motive to involve in land rehabilitation practices.
Regarding the involvement and support of household members to land rehabilitation practices,
and 45.22% of sampled household of selected kebeles confirmed that their family members are willing
to participate in any natural resource conservation activities.

Assistance/cooperation of neighborhoods for land rehabilitation practice

Respondents were also asked to tell the assistance and cooperation of the neighboring people
to land rehabilitation practices. Accordingly 14.63 respondents in indicated that there is cooperation
among the societies to rehabilitation degraded areas on their farm plot and community lands. 57.3% of
respondents in show that some people in their localities are willing to perform any resource management
practices.
Table 7: Involvement of the society on land rehabilitation practices.
Item Frequency %

Involvement of the society of society’s population increase 12 14.634

Involvement of society as population decrease 10 12.2

No changes 6 7.31
Family members motive to involvement as increase 47 57.3
Family members motive to involvement as decrease 2 2.44
No changes 5 6
Total 82 100
Source: Structure interview in 2021
Focus group discussions:
A number of reasons were indicated by the Focus group discussions as to why the assistance gained
increase over time. The sampled household heads who indicated increase in assistance overtime gave the
following reasons:
❖ People give more attention for long-term benefits rather than working for short-term benefits.
❖ The fact that many people are trying to focus on their social gains rather than personal benefits
❖ Increase in the level of awareness among some communities to minimize problems of land
degradation in cooperated manner than performing at individual level.
❖ The increase in awareness among communities regarding the problem of land degradation. As a
result, there are extensive efforts made by all stakeholders to conserve natural resources and to
perform land restoration practices in the study area.

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Access to extension services related to land rehabilitation practices
Any new agricultural practices in particular area need adequate mechanism for transmitting
information. Lack of relevant and timely information can prevent a widespread practice of natural resource
conservation activities. Access to extension services helps farmers to gain better understanding of the
potential effects of soil erosion and benefits of soil and water conservation practices as well as
enhancing knowledge on the application of soil and water conservation technologies. In the study area, as it
can be seen from Table 8 respondents were asked whether they have access to any extension services related
to land management practices. Accordingly, 79.3% of the respondents replied that they have access to
extension services that promote land management practices. Significant number of respondents (19.9%)
reported that they have no any access to extension services related to land restoration practices. Those
respondents who have access to extension services were asked whether they implemented it on their land or
not. The services they got as a result of extension programs include technical advice on the utilization of
chemical fertilizer, improved seed and pesticides, better farming methods and soil and water
conservation practices (terraces and check-dam construction, water harvesting and compost preparation).
However, as they reported, the services were not enough to effectively minimize or halt natural resource
degradation as compared to the magnitude of the problem.
Table 8: Access to extension service related to land restoration practices
Access to extension service related to land restorati on practices Frequency %
Access to extension program Yes 65 79.3
No 17 19.9
Total 82 100
Extension programs Yes 69 84.15
implemented by HHs No 13 15.9
Total 82 100
Source of information Traditionally 68 82.7
for land management From Das (development agency) 7 8.53
From NGOs 7 8.53
Total 82 100
Source: Structure interview in 2021
Table 8 shows the source of information for the respondents to carry out land rehabilitation
practices. In the study area, according to the survey report, development agency are the major source of
information for land rehabilitation practices followed by the traditional sources (own experience) by
82.7% which farmers use to carry out soil and water conservation practices. About 8.53 % and 8.53
% respondents indicated that Das and NGOs respectively are sources of information for land
rehabilitation practices in their own and communal lands. Regarding the work of development agency as
source of information, participants said that the number of development agency working in a Kebele is this
helped them to reach the society easily to give timely advice and technical support for SWC practices.

Government efforts in the rehabilitation of degraded lands in the study area

Land rehabilitation practices, as issues of special concern, are within the limit of the in Offa Worde
Agricultural and rural development office. Due to increase in human population pressure, terrain nature of
land, over-cultivation, deforestation and irregular rainfall pattern, the agricultural production in the study
area has been decreasing over time. In order to increase farm productivity and conserve the resource
base of the Woreda. Primarily, rehabilitation efforts were introduced with the objectives rehabilitation
degraded lands and as well increasing food security through increased food crop production (Ganta
1991). As a result, most of the restoration structures for the construction of physical soil and water
conservation measures and forestation and agro-forestry components, were practiced to protect land
degradation. Some widely used structural land rehabilitation measures are described in the following few
sections in the study area.

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The numbers of NGOs which are concerned with performing different development projects
in three selected kebeles are more as compared to other keble. Among these, World Bank is one local
NGO which widely involved in environmental rehabilitation works. According to the information
obtained from World Bank office, the activities of rehabilitating the degraded areas started in 2007. At
the beginning, the main activity of World Bank was sensitization and mobilization of the society
through panel discussion, Workshops, training and establishing community committees. Then
establishment of nursery and seedling production, plantation and distribution among the societies are the
main tasks of World Bank. In addition, distribution of fruits and coffee seedlings in order to introduce agro
forestry practice is part of the activities. Moreover, soil and water conservation structures are practiced on
individual lands to minimize soil loss and to increase productivity of farm land. With the involvement
of the society and government cooperation extremely degraded areas around hill side are enclosed to
protect from encroachment of livestock. World Bank, on the study area, to minimize the pressure Exerted
on natural vegetation by human being, is working on alternative energy sources. Among these activities,
training on biogas construction and fuel saving stove construction and distribution are the main ones. In
addition, an alternate way of constructing houses i.e. construction of model mud house block is being
introduced in the Keble and training has been given for the society on how to make a mud block and how to
construct it. Promotion of non-farm activities is another activity practiced in the Keble

Focus group discussions:

These activities help the society to earn their livelihood other than farm activity and reduce
pressures to be exerted on land resources by promoting conservation activities. The non-farm activities
currently being practiced in this study area by World Bank include and other NGO:
❖ Establishment of poultry farm and distribution of chickens
❖ Provision of beehives with accessories
❖ Provision of grafted high land fruit trees
❖ Purchase and provision of sheep and/or goat
❖ Treadle pump provision
❖ Training on business entrepreneurship Construction of bridges, land dug well etc.
Socio-economic, institutional and Environmental challenges of land rehabilitation practices in the
study area.
As it is shown on the below table 9, There were many challenges associated with land rehabilitation
practices in the study area. Regarding socio-economic challenges about 46.3% respondents replied that lack
of materials like stone to undertake land rehabilitation practices is the major challenge followed by high cost
of maintenance (41.5%) and lack of knowledge how to perform and maintain the structures (9.8%) are
major socio-economic challenges from community point of view. Regarding environmental challenges
almost all factors are dominant in the study area but among them around 32.9% of the individuals replied
that topographic formation is the major environmental challenge followed by climatic conditions such as
high rainfall, high surface run of and others which constitutes around (31.7%) and 26.0% replied that soil
conditions like water logging are also another environmental challenges associated with land rehabilitation
practices in our area and only 8.5% were replied that poor vegetation cover is another environmental
challenge that in bits our land rehabilitation practices. This shows that topography is the dominant factor
affecting land rehabilitation practices in the study area and poor vegetation cover is least concern from their
point of view. As we tried to show result on the above table, institutional gaps resulting from outsiders or
from higher authority are also another factors challenging land rehabilitation practices in the study area.
Accordingly about 56.1% of individuals confirmed that poor monitoring and evaluation of introduced
technology is fundamental institutional factor that affects our land rehabilitation practices. Majority of them
also narrated that one’s outsiders introduce given technology and they poorly examine what is the effect of
introduced technology in our way of life. Beside this around 40.2% of them replied that after being
introduction of new technology, they poorly put the introduced technology in to the ground and remaining
3.7% replied that poor training on technology use affects our land rehabilitation practices. As the result
shows that poor monitoring and evaluation of introduced technology is the major institutional challenge in
the study.
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Table 9: Socio-economic, institutional and environmental challenges (n=82)
Parameters /Types of challenges Frequency Percent (%)

Socio-economic challenges lack of knowledge 10 12.2

lack of materials cost of maintenance 72 87.8
Total 82 100
Institutional Challenge Poor training on technology 29 35.4
Poor implementation 27 32.93
Poor monitoring & evaluation 26 31.7

Total 82 100
Environmental challenges Topography 47 57.3
Soil condition 5 6.09
Vegetation cover 30 36.14
Total 82 100
Source: Structure interview in 2021

Conclusion And Recommendation

Conclusion
Based on the above result lack of fallowing, sloppy cultivation, deforestation and limited use of
conservation measures, poverty, land shortage and heavy rain fall are the major immediate and underlying
causes of land degradation in the study area respectively. As it was clearly indicated in the result and
discussion part different land scopes (Geographical features) such as valleys, slope, mountain as well as
level land have various effects on land rehabilitation practices.
According to the respondent perception the highest causes of the erosion is due to sloppy of land
being erodible. As the respondent indicated the major land rehabilitation practices undertaken by the farmers
are vet ever grass strip, ditches, agroforestry, area closure, graded bunds, and couture ploughing. In the study
area poor implementation and poor monitoring and evaluation of newly introduced land rehabilitation
technology is considered as major institutional gape and affects effective use of technology from community
point of view. Observed color changes, deposition of the sediments, visible rills and decrease of soil depth
when ploughing are important indicators of land degradation in the study area that helps farmers to
recognize their farm lands being affected by erosion.

Recommendation
Based on the finding, I would like to recommend the following point: The natural resources
manage cultivation is the major immediate cause of land degradation in the study area and population
pressure is dominant underlying cause. This indicates that poverty aggravates other related causes of land
degradation in the study area.
➢ Much afforestation should be active in implementing; monitoring and evaluating the farmers to be
effective in using newly introduced technology practices.
➢ The governmental and non – governmental organizations which focusing on natural resource
conservation should facilitate the way to create awareness about land rehabilitation practices for
farmers and with respect to benefits of environmental, economic and social impacts.
➢ Land rehabilitation practice should undertake by the whole society, because it contribute to improve
living standard of poor farmer as well as to improve the economy of the whole society.
➢ Participation by farmers during planning and implementation of introduced land rehabilitation
technology should be given a due attention which may create responsibility, accountability and since
of ownership.
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Government should expand the extension worker or DAs in the study area to cover the action for all
community.

Conflicts of Interest:
The authors declare no conflict of interest.

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