Factors determining the participation of natural resource cooperative members in forest management: A study of dry forest area in Ethiopia

Abstract

For realizing sustainable forest resources management, participatory forest management (PFM) program has been implemented in different areas of Ethiopia for the last two decades. However, the success of PFM program largely depends on the active involvement of local community in the different activities of the PFM program. This study examines the determinants of household's level of participation in different activities of the PFM program in Metema and Quara districts of Amhara region, Ethiopia, with information obtained using a structured questionnaire survey of 156 member households of natural resource conservation cooperatives employing ordered logistic regression analysis. The results of the regression analysis reveal that gender, age, educational level of cooperative members and their regional provenance, income from NTFPs, access to extension service, perception on the proper implementation of the forest management plan and living distance from the community forest are important factors which explain the participation level of cooperative members in forest conservation, forest utilization and decision-making activities of the PFM program. The study suggests for empowerment of all members in decision-making process including improvement in women's participation through a policy reform in the organizational structure of natural resource conservation cooperatives in order to enhance local community participation in the PFM program. Hence, this policy reform may help ensuring the success of the PFM program. Moreover, effective mechanisms should be developed to ensure equitable benefit-sharing among members of cooperatives for the success of the PFM program.