Mountain Farmers' Perception of on-farm Environmental Degradation, the Case of Damota, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Mountain people understand environmental degradation only at times when they lost the production options of their farmlands that sustained them in the past. This study was conducted to assess the farmers’ perception of on-farm environmental degradation in mount Damota, Southern Ethiopia. Data collection techniques used in this study was interviews, focus group discussions, field observations and questionnaires. Multi-stage Purposive and Systematic sampling technique methods were used to select study sites and households, respectively. Using systematic sampling technique from all the four kebeles of the Woreda a total of 200 households was selected. Data were presented in descriptive statistics. The result of the study shows that almost all households appreciate the causes, indicators and problems of on-farm environmental degradation. 69% of the respondents agree that their land is severely eroded while 24.5% say it is moderate on their land holding. Only 6.5% say the erosion rate is slight on their land holding and none of the respondents doubt the problem of soil erosion on their agricultural productivity and natural resource base. The main reason of depletion of the natural vegetation as perceived by the respondents is clearance of the forest for farming, over grazing and timber cutting. About the climatic problems of farm lands on the mountain, flood during the rainy season (which is also the growing season) is their main problem and windstorm and drought were also seen by the study population as the main climatic problem of the area.