Local People's Perception on the Development of Large Scale Plantations in Ethiopia and Its Implications in Success: A Case Study of Nazareth Fuelwood Plantation Project

Abstract

Plantation forestry is a long time experience in Ethiopia. But, large scale plantations as national programs have been initiated recently. However, the attempts have not been very successful as expected. There have been formidable challenges to sustainable management of plantation projects following conflict of interest with local people. Most often, afforestation programs over emphasize technical solutions to wood scarcities leaving aside the human dimension. Nazareth fuel wood project (NFWP) is one of the most conspicuous one in this regard. Efforts made so far to reverse the situation have been unsatisfactory whilst there is an increasing demand for the woody biomass. Realistic assessment of what determines the success of such projects is too often neglected. Therefore, this study was carried out on NFWP, in Eastern Shawa Zone of Oromia to examine perceptions of the local people towards the plantation project and its implication in success. Peasant Associations (PAs) and households surrounding the project area were randomly selected for quantitative and qualitative data collection. Formal interviews, rapid appraisals and forest surveys were conducted to gather the required data. Descriptive statistics, multiple regression, chi-square test and Area Production Model (APM) were used in the analysis of the data. From the analysis, perceptions of the local people towards NFWP were found to be affected by the impact of the project on the local people, land tenure, project management system and institutional gaps. Accordingly, two major views and responses of the local people towards the project were identified. 1. Antagonistic perception and response - since the project had taken over their farm and grazing land without compensation and benefit sharing mechanism. Consequently, 55% of the informants were found to perceive the plantation project negatively – demanding for complete destruction to the forest and their land back. 2. Use response – as a means of livelihood security, people resorted to destruct the forest for firewood and construction materials including for income generation. Hence, most of the forest dependent poor and the women generally perceive the plantation project positively. These groups believe that they would become more vulnerable to serious food insecurity, fuel-wood and construction materials shortage if the plantation forest doesn’t exist. Currently, about 56% of the plantation in terms of volume has been totally destroyed at about 2.5% mean annual rate of destruction, which could lead to a complete deforestation within 15-20 years. The failure of the project is mainly attributed to the conflict of interest between the project and the local people. Thus, effective participation of the local people in such projects is a key to success. Harmonizing the conflict of interest through effective local participation, benefit sharing mechanism, tenure security and adequate institutional support is essential for the success of plantation projects. Hence, joint management system should be designed with active participation of the local people and other key stakeholders as a matter of urgency so as to save the project from total destruction. This could be the future pathway to sustainable forest management system.