Journal of
Agricultural Extension and Rural Development

  • Abbreviation: J. Agric. Ext. Rural Dev
  • Language: English
  • ISSN: 2141-2170
  • DOI: 10.5897/JAERD
  • Start Year: 2009
  • Published Articles: 484

Article in Press

DETERMINANTS OF EUCALYPTUS WOODLOT MANAGEMENT THE CASE OF WOGERA DISTRICT, NORTH GONDAR ZONE, ETHIOPIA

Abebe Dagnew

  •  Received: 11 November 2018
  •  Accepted: 12 February 2019
This study was conducted in Wogera District, North Gondar zone, Ethiopia. The study was conducted to assess determinants of Eucalyptus woodlot management. The objectives of this study were; i) to investigate rationales of farmers and productivity effects of using the management practices in the study area and ii) To examine factors affecting farmers decision of adopting different woodlot management practices. To achieve these objectives 116 respondents were selected from three Kebele administrations. Data was collected through focused group discussion, interview schedule, key informant interview, observation and review of secondary sources. Descriptive statistics such as mean, frequency, percentage and standard deviation were used; Multivariate probit model (MVP) was employed for the identification of factors influencing households’ decision to use Eucalyptus woodlot management practices. Generally, the result of the study showed that Households were rational to use woodlot management practices so as to enhance the production and productivity of Eucalyptus. On the other hand, the result of multivariate probit model showed that the likelihood of households to adopt management practices was generally hoeing (59.4%), pruning (68.9%), fencing (63.5%), spacing (51.3%), clear cutting (52.7%) but lower likelihood for thinning (45.5%).The result also showed that the joint probability of using all management practices was only 5.2% and the joint probability of failure to adopt all of the management practices was 1.2%. The probit model also confirms that sex, family size, farm size, active labor availability, land tenure arrangement, access to extension service, Eucalyptus woodlot land size and off farm employment had a statistically significant influence on the farmers decision to use Eucalyptus woodlot management practices. Therefore, Eucalyptus like any other tree species and crops should be managed with the right management practices; planted in the conducive site and cultivated properly to maximize its positive values and reduce possible negative effects.

Keywords: smallholder, woodlot, adoption, management practices