Abstract
Sustainable land management (SLM) is a leading policy issue in Ethiopia. However, the adoption and continuous use of SLM technologies remain low. This study investigates the interrelationship of adopted SLM technologies and key factors of farmers’ decisions to use SLM technologies in the North Gojjam sub-basin of the Upper Blue Nile. The study was based on the investigation of cross-sectional data obtained from 414 randomly selected rural household heads, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. Descriptive statistics and Econometric models (i.e., Multivariate Probit and Poisson regression) were used to analyze quantitative data, while a content analysis method was used for qualitative data analysis. Results indicate that at least one type of SLM technology was implemented by 94% of farm households in the North Gojjam sub-basin. The most widely used technologies were chemical fertilizer, soil bund, and animal manure. Most of the adopted SLM technologies complement each other. Farm size, family size, male-headed household, local institutions, perception of soil erosion, livestock size, total income, and extension service increased the adoption probability of most SLM technologies. Plot fragmentation, household age, plot distance, off-farm income, market distance, and perception of good fertile soil discourage the adoption probability of most SLM technologies. To scale up SLM technologies against land degradation, it is important to consider households’ demographic characteristics, the capacity of farm households, and plot-level related factors relevant to the specific SLM technologies being promoted.
Highlights
Land degradation is a major threat to improving rural livelihood strategies in SubSaharan African (SSA) countries, where the majority of the population depends on subsistence agriculture [1,2,3,4]
Land degradation is a grave environmental problem, as it leads to low agricultural productivity and persistent poverty in the Ethiopian highlands
Sustainable land management (SLM) technologies and to identify determinants of a household’s decision to adopt one or multiple SLM technologies. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from communities in the North Gojjam sub-basin of the upper Blue Nile basin
Summary
Land degradation is a major threat to improving rural livelihood strategies in SubSaharan African (SSA) countries, where the majority of the population depends on subsistence agriculture [1,2,3,4]. The country has struggled to feed its growing population, and the problem may become more severe in the near future if agriculture yields are not increased [9]. The problem is critical in the highland regions, where the majority of the population depends on crop–livestock mixed subsistence agriculture systems [9,14]. The major causes of land degradation in the Ethiopian highlands are rapid population growth, climate variability, top-down planning systems, poor implementation of policies, limited use of SLM technologies, and frequent organizational restructuring [9,15]
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