COLLEGE OF AGERICULTURE

DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT

RESEARCH ON

EFFECT OF POPULATON GROWTH ON LAND DEGRADATION; IN CASE OF

WEST BADAWACHO WOREDA, WADA KEBELE

SUBMITTED TO DEPARTMENT OF NATURAL RESOURCE MANAGEMENT FOR

THE PARTIAL FULFILMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR BSC DEGREE IN
NATURAL RESOURSE MANAGEMENT

BY; BEREKET SULAMO ID.NO; 322/10

ADVSIOR: AFEWORK A (MSc)

DEC, 2020

WOLAITA SODO, EHIOPIA

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ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First of all thanks to GOD for his protection, guidance and provision of wisdom and strength
during my entire education. Secondly, my deepest gratitude goes to my advisor Mr. Afework for
his critical, careful and valuable advice starting from topic selection till the completion this
research project work. I would like thank him for his genuine and energetic encouragement,
suggestion, insight and guidance to complete this research project. Finally, I would like to thanks
extend to all friends who helped me in one way or another.

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ABBREVIATION

ATP----------------------------------------Adonsine Triphosphate

BNF------------------------------------------ Biological Nitrogen Fixation

CEC ------------------------------------------Cation Exchange Capacity

CSA------------------------------------------Central Statistics Agency

FAO------------------------------------------Food and Agricultural Organization

GEF------------------------------------------Global Environmental Facility

HH------------------------------------------Household

HA------------------------------------------Hectare

IPCC----------------------------------------Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change

MoA-------------------------------------- Ministry of Agriculture

NGO---------------------------------------Nongovernmental Organization

SOM---------------------------------------Soil Organic Matter

SPSS----------------------------------------Statically package for Social Scientists

UNCCD----------------------------------United Nation Convention to Combat Desertification

USDA-------------------------------------United States Department of Agriculture

WCED-----------------------------------World Commission on Environment and Development

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

Table page

ACKNOWLEDGEMENT................................................................................................................i
ABBREVIATION...........................................................................................................................ii
ABSTRACT...................................................................................................................................vi
1. INTRODUCTION.......................................................................................................................1
1.1. Background.......................................................................................................................................1
1.2. Statement of the problem..................................................................................................................2
1.3. Objectives.........................................................................................................................................3
1.3.1. General objective.......................................................................................................................3
1.3.2. Specific objectives.....................................................................................................................3
1.4. Research questions...........................................................................................................................3
1.5. Significance of the study...................................................................................................................3
1.6 Scope and limitation of the study.......................................................................................................4
2. LITERATURE REVIEW............................................................................................................5
2.1. Concept of land degradation.............................................................................................................5
2.2 .The major cause of land degradation................................................................................................5
2.2.1. Deforestation and over exploitation...........................................................................................6
2.2.2. Over grazing..............................................................................................................................6
2.2.3. Improper agricultural management............................................................................................6
2.3. Effects of land degradation on land productivity..............................................................................6
2.4. Effect of population growth on land degradation..............................................................................7
2.5 Mechanisms to prevent land degradation and restore degraded lands................................................7
2.5.1. Land degradation improving strategy........................................................................................8
3. METHODS AND MATERIALS.............................................................................................13
3.1. Study area description.....................................................................................................................13
3.1.1. Location...................................................................................................................................13
3.1.2. Climate....................................................................................................................................13
3.1.3. Population................................................................................................................................13
3.1.4. Land Use System.....................................................................................................................13

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 3.1.5 Soil type and vegetation............................................................................................................14
3.2. Methods of data collection..............................................................................................................14
3.2.1 Sampling techniques.................................................................................................................14
4. RESULT AND DISCUSSION..................................................................................................16
4.1 .Characteristics of Sampled Farmers................................................................................................16
4.1.1. Personal characteristics............................................................................................................16
4.1.1.1. Family size........................................................................................................................16
Source, field survey (2020)............................................................................................................16
4.1.1.2 Age of the house hold........................................................................................................16
4.1.1.3 Sex and marital status........................................................................................................17
4.1.1.4. Educational statues of the house hold head.......................................................................18
4.1.1.5. Farm experience................................................................................................................18
4.1.2. Farm characteristics.................................................................................................................19
4.1.2.1. Farm Size..........................................................................................................................19
4.1.2.2 Crop production.................................................................................................................19
4.1.2.3. Farm house hold Income...................................................................................................19
4.2. Nature, Type and problem of erosion in the study area...................................................................20
4.3 Traditional soil conservation methods being practiced in the study area................................21
4.3.1: Soil bund..................................................................................................................................22
4.3.2: Animal dung............................................................................................................................22
4.3.3 Crop Rotation...........................................................................................................................22
5. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS....................................................................23
5.1. Conclusion......................................................................................................................................23
5.2. Recommendation............................................................................................................................24
APPENDIX....................................................................................................................................29

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LIST OF TABLE pages

Table 1: Distribution of sample household by the family size ----------------------------------16

Table 2: Distribution of sample house hold by the age group -----------------------------------16

Table 3: Distribution of sample house hold by their sex ratio-----------------------------------17

Table 4: Distribution of sample house hold head by marital status ----------------------------17

Table 5: Distribution of sample Households by their educational level [status] ---------------18

Table 6: Distribution of sampled house hold head by farm experience -------------------------18

Table 7: sampled households by farm size --------------------------------------------------------19

Table 8: Distribution of sample household income source-------------------------------------20

Table 9: Types of common soil erosion in the study area…………………………………20

Table 10: The type and extent of traditional soil conservation practice----------------------------21

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ABSTRACT

Land degradation is a major global environmental problem with significant adverse impact on
agricultural production. Loss of land resource productivity in Ethiopia is due to the continued
population growth. The fast growing population of Ethiopia is playing significant role in
hastening land degradation in a way that the increasing population abused land by deforestation
and overgrazing for more cropland and grazing area. In study area populations are cultivating the
land by traditional farming method that makes a serious problem in farming areas such as
economic decline of livelihood. The study was conducted in Wada which is located in West
Badawacho woreda. The major purpose of this study was to assess the effect of population
growth on land degradation in the study area, with the specific objectives to identify the
population activities with their effects in the study area, to assess how land degradation will be
formed and to describe the local land management practice in the study area. For this research
both primary and secondary data source were used. Primary data were collected from selected
respondents using structured questionnaire. Secondary data were collected from published and
unpublished sources. The collected data was analyzed using descriptive analysis and the result
would explain in the form of tables. Population growth in study area were high, these leads to
decreasing farm land, pasture land, wood land and environmental degrading when it is exceeding
carrying capacity. In the study area the population growth increases, the demand to clear more
forests also increase because of the increasing population needs lands for cultivation and needs
for fuel wood collection from the area of forest. In the study area several conservation measures
were practiced by the farmers to solve land degradation such as physical, biological and soil
management practices were done. Due to these measure most of the area in the Kebele were
rehabilitated from land degradation.

Key Word: Land Degradation, Population Growth

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Background
Land degradation is a major global issue for the 20th century and will remain high on the
international agenda even for the 21st century. It is a major global environmental problem with
significant adverse impact on agricultural production.In Ethiopia, land degradation, declining
agricultural productivity and poverty are severe and interrelated problems. In the light of the
increasing population, land degradation in Ethiopia is bound to proceed at aggravated rates
unless significant measures are made in conservation and rehabilitation (MOA, 2007). Moreover,
Paulos (2001) argued that the fast growing population of Ethiopia is playing significant role
inhastening land degradation in a way that the increasing population abused land by
deforestation and overgrazing for more cropland and grazing area. Berry (2003) also reported
that the loss of land resource productivity in Ethiopia is due to the continued population growth.
Similarly, Fitsum et al. (1999) pointed out that the major causes of land degradation in Ethiopian
highlands are resulted from the growing population which is manifested in terms of overgrazing,
deforestation, poor farming practices and using dung for fuel. Additionally, Desta et al. (2000)
also argued that the Ethiopian highlands have been experiencing severe land degradation
problems that are emanating from the demands from the growing human and livestock
populations. In this regard, Tilahun et al. (2001) also argued that declining vegetative cover and
increased levels of farming on steep slopes in Ethiopian highlands is associated with population
pressure have eroded and depleted soils in the area, so that soil degradation is now a widespread
environmental problem. moreover, studies conducted at longer time scales has shown that land
degradation still has tremendously been influenced by both the increase and decrease of a given
population (Lambin et al. 2003).Contrary to this arguments, there are studies which has shown
that population growth does not always result in land degradation (Kiesling,1993).

The study conducted by Amare (2007) and Amareet al. (2011) in Eastern escarpment of Wello,
Ethiopia and Munro et al. (2008) in Tigray highlands disclosed that vegetation cover improved
since the 1980s owing to land rehabilitation efforts of the community supported by the
government and multilateral donor agencies. While, Muluneh (2003) reported that population
pressure in west Gurage land is both a cause of land degradation in the form of soil erosion and a
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factor for environmental enhancement in the form of increased tree density and other land
conservation activities. Generally, even though a study conducted by Temesgenet al. (2014a) in
Oromia region Dera wored are reported that population growth is one of the major driving forces
for the expansion of cultivated and degraded land at the expense of forest, shrub and grass land.
Desta et al. (2000) also argued that the Ethiopian highlands have been experiencing severe land
degradation problems that are emanating from the demands from the growing human and
livestock populations. And similarly, Tilahunet al. (2001) ststed that declining vegetative cover
and increased levels of farming on steep slopes in Ethiopian high lands is associated with
population pressure have eroded and depleted soils in the area, so that soil degradation is now a
widespread environmental problem. But still there is a limitation on population increament effect
on land degradation in case of Wada kebele, West Badawacho woreda. As a result of this, the
purpose of this paper is to look into in what way the growing population of the woreda
specifically Wada kebele accelerate land degradation by taking typical evidence from different
targeted respondants of the kebele.

1.2. Statement of the problem

Ethiopia is one of the most densely populated countries in Africa with over 80% of the
population deriving their livelihood from agriculture and natural resource-based enterprises
(Bekele and Holden, 1998).This implies that land degradation, declining agricultural
productivity, and poverty are severe and interrelated problems. An increasing rate of population
growth is among the major causes of land degradation in Ethiopia particularly in the study area.
According to Paulos (2001) argued that the fast growing population of Ethiopia is playing
significant role inhastening land degradation in a way that the increasing population abused land
by deforestation and overgrazingfor more cropland and grazing area.As a eresult there should be
appropriate land management system to improve the productivity of land particularly in high
land areas where the problem of land degradation is series (Berhanu, et al.2004, cited in Desta,
2009). Furthermore, Farmers in Wada kebele are cultivating the land by traditional farming
method that makes a serious problem in farming areas such as lack of adequate knowledge about
land degradation; poor agricultural practice, deforestation, overgrazing, lack of fallow peried and
population pressure are the bases of land degradation. There for in attempt to contribute in

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bridging the stated gap, this study will be focused on assesing of the effect of over populationon
land degradation in the land use of Hadiya zone West Badawacho woreda in Wada kebele.

1.3. Objectives

1.3.1. General objective

 To assess the effects of population growth on land degradation in the case of Wada
kebele.

1.3.2. Specific objectives

 To identify the population activities with their effects in the study area

 To assess how land degradation will be formed

 To describe local land management practice in the study area

1.4. Research questions

 What are the major effects of population growth on land degradation?

 How to describe effects of population on land use activities in the study area?
 What are the possible solutions to overcome land degradation effect in the study area?

1.5. Significance of the study

The outcomes of the study was regenerate information for different
stakeholders,researchers,policymakers,governmental&nongovernmentalorganization,farmers,loc
al level organizations to design & develop effective land rehablitaion practice & strategies. It
also changes farmers’attiude towards effective stackholders involvement on environmental
protection from any damage. Furthermore, it is used for increasing agricultural products
&sustainability by combating land degradation and pay attention for social &economic
development in the study aera. Moreover, the methodology that will be developed in this study
&the result of the study can serve as back ground information under taken in similar setting.

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1.6 Scope and limitation of the study
The scope of this study was limited to West Badawacho woreda, Hadiya zone of Ethiopia.
Among 28 kebeles of w West Badawacho woreda the study was focused on Wada kebele. The
study was attempted to assess the effect of population growth on land degradation. It considers
factor that affect population growth on land degradation which have indirect influence in the
surrounding communities.

The major constraints faced in conducting this research were shortage of time and money. In
addition to this shortage of secondary data and also some respondents may be careless in giving
information and oppress the research process

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2. LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1. Concept of land degradation

There is no single universally accepted definition for land degradation (Blaikie and Brookfied,
1987 cited in Hussien, 2006). It is a broad concept and defined by different people in different
ways. UNEP (1992 as cited in Desta2009) defined land degradation as “a reduction of resource
potential by one or a combination of processes including water erosion, wind erosion, a long
term reduction in the amount or diversity of natural vegetation, salinization, or sodification
acting on the land. (Young, 1998, as cited in Hussien, 2006) gave a more similar definition of
land degradation as the process that causes temporary or permanent lowering of current or future
productive capacity of land. In all of the above definitions, the common denominator is that land
degradation is actual or potential reduction in the productive potential of land. Almost all
countries, rich or poor; arid or humid; cool or tropical experience some form of land degradation,
but the rate significantly varies among different countries based on variation in their biophysical,
social and economic structure (WCED, 1987 as cited in Taffa, 2002). For this study, land
degradation is loss of soil fertility or substantial decreasing of land productivity and soil erosion,
deforestation and degradation of grazing lands.

2.2 .The major cause of land degradation

Direct cause of land degradation include deforestation, over grazing and improper agricultural
management of soil and water resources such as non adoption of soil and water conservation
practices, improper crop rotation and use of marginal land, insufficient and excessive use of
fertilizers, miss-management irrigation schemes and over pumping of ground water. The indirect
cause of land degradation is mainly population increase. These indirect causes are as such: - land
shortage, short-term land tenure, poverty and economic pressure (FAO, 2008). Similarly,
According to GEF, 2006, the direct causes of land degradation are deforestation,
overexploitation, over grazing and improper land cultivation.

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2.2.1. Deforestation and over exploitation
The destruction of forest is caused the most part by land clearance for agricultural purpose. To
maximize their production the forest resources can be slash and burn when the land is scarce to
cultivate crops and different agricultural productions. Shifting cultivation entails “cutting trees
and shrubs and tall grasses, burning the little growing crops 2 to 5 years on the cleared land and
then allowing the natural cover to turn to generate vegetation (FAO, 1983). Such operation are
estimated to have contributed some 60% of the expansion cover land starts or accelerates soil
erosions under rain and wind action; burning weed control encourages leaching and soil loss
(Gruz, 1994).

2.2.2. Over grazing

Excessive pressure on the vegetable cover by animal can be crucial problem , especially in
developing countries where range land usually are much more crowded than in the developed
world (FAO, 1983).While livestock does not necessary cause environmental problems. Over
grazing can be a major factor in land degradation causing half of the damage assessed in Africa
and one forth in other developing country with the reduction of fallow and advance of agriculture
(Little, 1992).

2.2.3. Improper agricultural management

Asset of improper practice has to do with land extension. An important population factors
thought, is the growth of neighboring population, such as it leads sedentary farmers to expand
the cultivated area, in general so called “marginal areas”. These are common phenomena in
situation of land huger of high population density vis-à-vis arable land population growth
requires the extension of interferences (blaik, 1987). Degradation then sets in unless particular
measures are taken to protect soil structure and maintain fertility ,examples of population driven
up land by the saturation of low land resources with ensuring degradation and at a time
ecological collapse are numerous (cleaver,1992).

2.3. Effects of land degradation on land productivity

Land degradation and low agricultural productivity are severing problems in Ethiopia. Although,
Ethiopian soils were considered to be among the most fertile in the tropics. Problem of soil
nutrient depletion is among the highest in sub-Saharan Africa (stoorvesl and smaling, 1990); and
soil erosion is series problem, especially in highland area (bagooras, 1988).Land degradation has
been high at large areas of the regions crop lands, grass land, wood land and forest are new

6
seriously degraded, water and wind erosion is major problems, water tables have been over
exploited; soil fertility has been cleared for agriculture or urban expansion has become a major
form of land degradation. The effect of these form of land degradation on cereal production has
now began to decline it is no coincidence these crops are grown on land with the low production.
Potential, where rate of land degradation are highest forever it’s (Jonson, 2006).

2.4. Effect of population growth on land degradation

An increasing rate of population growth is among the major causes of land degradation in
Ethiopia. This is because the increasing population leads to the requirement of more agricultural
production, which requires more land with the existing technology level. Getting this new
agricultural land is not a simple task and it resulted in the expansion of Farming activities to
erosion prone marginal areas, serious deforestation, a decrease in fallow period and continuous
cultivation (Habtamu, 2006). The high population growth made steep fragile areas to be included
into cultivation, thus accelerating rate of soil erosion (Betru, 2003). The country has already lost
its forest resources, mainly due to population pressure. in the study of Hussien, (2006) also
indicate that the declining trend of forest cover in Ethiopia through time.The increasing
population, which leads to increasing demand for more agricultural land, fuel wood, construction
material and other forest products, is the major cause for this deforestation (Gete, 2002).This
deforestation caused shortage of firewood and other forest products. Consequently, people are
using animal dung and crop residue for household fuel rather than being added to the soil to
improve soil fertility. This in turn reduces the quality of soil and thus further exacerbates the
problem of environmental degradation (Badeg et al, 2003; Aklilu, 2006). Nevertheless,
population pressure can also have positive impact on land improvement and environment
protection. By increasing the value of land relative to labor, population growth may induce labor-
intensive investments in land management and soil management. These include planting trees,
constructing terraces, composting and mulching, etc (Pender, 1998 cited in Desta, 2009).

2.5 Mechanisms to prevent land degradation and restore degraded lands

Land degradation can be prevented through different mechanisms depending up on the nature
and form of degradation. Most types of soil degradation can be prevented or reversed by adding
nutrients to nutrient depleted soil, rebuilding topsoil through soil amendments, reestablishing
vegetation, or buffering soil acidity (Scherr andYadav 1996). However, some aspects of land
degradation are less easily reversed than others. For example, terrain deformation by gully

7
erosion, or total topsoil loss from erosion, is more irreversible than a negative nutrient balance,
or surface sealing and crusting (Cox head and ygard 2008). In parallel, Scherr and Yadav (1996)
illustrated that some types of land degradation are, for all practical purposes, irreversible.
Examples are severe gulling and advanced salinization. Displacement of soil material (erosion) is
also irreversible, although its long-term effects on productive capacity depend on the depth and
quality of soil remaining. According to Cox head and ygard (2008),the main environmental
principles for reducing land degradation are to maximize vegetation cover to prevent erosion,
replace nutrients removed, and to put in place structures (terraces, bunds, vegetation strips) so as
to reduce the speed and volumes of water flow over the soil. From this perspective, tree crops,
perennial crops, intercropping and reduced-tillage systems are preferred. Similarly, UNCCD
(2004) revealed that forests and tree cover combat land degradation and desertification by
stabilizing soils, reducing water and wind erosion and maintaining nutrient cycling in soils.
Therefore, sustainable use of goods and services from forest ecosystems and the development of
agro forestry systems can contribute to poverty reduction, making the rural poor less vulnerable
to the impacts of land degradation. Broadly speaking, land degradation can be controlled,
reduced or even reverted if the land is used wisely, if all functions of the land are taken into
account, and if long-term interests of all segments of human kinds replaces hort-term vested
interests of privileged group globally, naturally and locally (Getachew 2005). Scherr andYadav
(1996) also pointed out that rehabilitating degraded landscapes depend on the costs relative to the
value ofoutput or environmental benefits expected. Throughout history, efforts to combat land
degradation in Ethiopia isfocused on physical conservation structures (Woldeamlak 2003).
Similarly, Temesgenet al. (2014c) reportedthat farmers in Dera woreda, Ethiopia heavily depend
on physical soil conservation structures. However, usingof vegetative measures are very much
limited. However, it is agreed that, land degradation should be treated according to the type of
land degradation.

2.5.1. Land degradation improving strategy

 Physical soil management and Earth structure

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Soil management practices refer to the practices, which improve the physical, chemicaland
biological properties of the soil for enhancing germination, establishment and crop growth.
Where as the agronomic soil conservation practices described below contribute tothe restoration
and maintenance of soil properties. Soil organic matter management and conservation tillage
practices are key tools in soil management practices (Ministry of Agriculture, 2001).Physical soil
management measures are justifiable in moisture stressed area of Ethiopian high lands.Where
moisture conservation plays any important role in increasing yield, such soil management
technologies such as stone band, soil band, tracing are promoted in Ethiopia many other country
(IPCC, 2007).

 Terracing

Terracing reduce slop steepness and avoid the slop in to short gently sloping sections
(Morgan 1986).Terraces are created to intercept surface runoff encouraging it to infiltrate,
evaporate or be diverted to wards a predetermined and protected a safe outlet at a controlled
velocity to avoid soil erosion (USDA soil conservation services,1992:FAO,2000).The
principle objective of terracing is generally to reduce runoff and the loss of soil, but it also
contribute to increasing the soil moisture content through improve irrigation and to reducing
peak discharge rate of rivers. (Beach and Dunning1995) stated that terracing also could
promote rock weathering and eventually increase crop growth.How evere, as in 1993 (Scott
man and white, 1993).There are hardly in any figures showing significant increase yields in
the first five to ten years after terracing.

 Cover crop

Soil loss can also prevented or reduced by appropriate crop management.r crop cover also
positively influence physical soil properities such as the infiltration rate ,moisture content and
bulk density (Hulogalle et al 1986),they increase organic matter content,nitrogen fixing
legume,the cation exchange capacity and hence crop yield(Obiagwu 1995).

 Conservation tillage

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Conservation tillage describes the method of seedbed preparation that includes the presence
residue mulch and an increase in surface roughness as akey criteria (Lal 1990).There fore the
practice range from reduced as non till to more intensive tillage depending on several factors,
such as climate, soil properties, crop characterstics, and socio economic factors (David S, 2004).
All conservation tillage operations are aimed at controlling soil degradation and improving soil
productivity (Ministry of Agriculture, 2001).

 Natural Forest protection and conservation

Forest protection can be defined as predominantly natural areas safeguarded by law or custom
where species and ecosystems are conserved for current and future generations. Since the best
way to maintain species is to maintain their habitats; protected areas are an essential means for
sustaining diversity. Protected areas also help in stabilizing the local climate, protecting
watersheds and preventing erosion. Protected areas constitute the most widespread mechanism
used to conserve the remaining natural forests of Ethiopia. However, the present coverage of
natural forest is generally inadequate (Hoekstra et al., 1990). Conservation must be a part of a
broader process of managing the whole landscape. Thus, protected areas will contribute to the
conservation of the remaining natural forests in Ethiopia, if they are able to meet the legitimate
developmental aspirations of the people that live in and around them (Sayer et al. 1992).

 Field Boundaries

It is also common to see ridge covered with grasses between plots of farm land. The dividing
line, boundary, and the land before and after the ridge are the property of two different
individuals. This structure is important for soil conservation which can reduce the intensity of
erosion in the farm fields. But the uses of this structure are not noticed by most farmers
(yeshambel, 2013).
Soil (stone) bund is an embankment or ridge built across a slope along the contour. Soil bunds
are made of soil or mud. On moderately sloping areas the farmers construct the soil bunds for
erosion control. On steep eroded bare lands stone terraces are most used structures. As it is stated
by key informants during focus group discussion the stone terraces are considered effective in
erosion control in steeply areas (Alemayehu, M, 1992). Cut off drains are one of the physical

10
structure constructed by digging the soil deep in order to divert the runoff before reaching the
farmland (Mushir, 2010).

 Community Forestry and Soil Conservation

Community forestry has been defined by FAO (1978) as any situation, which intimately involves
local people in a forestry activity. It embraces a spectrum of situations ranging from woodlots
inareas with short of wood and other forest products for local needs, through the growing of trees
atfarm and community level to provide cash crops and the processing of forest products.
Despitemajor problems of deforestation and land degradation, massive soil conservation
andafforestation programs have been going on in Ethiopia since the early 1970’s (Hurni, 1990;
Gamachu, 1990). These programs were undertaken by various agencies of the government
through the assistance of international and bilateral organizations. The community forestry and
soil conservation department of the Ministry of Agriculture is the main government agency
involved in the planning and execution of soil conservation measures and afforestation
programs.The department is involved mainly in three main activities: farm forestry, community
forestry and soil conservation.

 Soil biology management and Biological methods

Biological method measures are coverages of land with vegetative whether grass, legumesshrubs
or tree are ideal condition for enhancement of crop production by reducing erosion and
absorption of rainfall, closely growing vegetation and vegetative debris such as crop reduce are
highly effective in checking soil and water loss Tafa (2000). Some of the biological methods are
biological nitrogen fixation, soil organic matter, mulhing and afforestation and reforestation are
someexamples of biological method measures (Amanuel, 2002).

 Mulching

Mulching is natural or artificial applied layer of the plant residues or other materials on the
surface of the soil with objective of moisture conservation, reduction of erosion and soil
losses.Surface mulching has the advantage of providing protective cover at a time when crops
cover is not practical. It improves in filtration and reduce soil temperature and the possible

11
disadvantages are; the amount of crop residues required more than is available from the low level
of production, problem of pests, diseases or nitrogen lack up, lack of implements which can plant
or drill through the mulch, organic mulches are liable to be rapidly oxidized in high temperature
(Brand, c, 1996). Mulching is one of the most effective methods to minimize erosion. A crop
residue covering the ground intercept raindrop impact, preventing splash erosion, slow down the
water flows and increases the infiltration rate. It also encourages insects and worms to take holes
into the ground, thus increasing the permeability of the soil (Ministry of Agriculture, 2001).

 Soil Organic Matter

Soil organic matter is plant and animal residence in the soil in various stage of decomposition
(Gardiner and Miller, 2004). It has a number of positive effects such as itis a sources of 90 to 95
percent of the nitrogen in unfertilized soil, is the major source of both available phosphorous
andavailable sulfur, contributes to the cation exchangecapacity (CEC): often furnishing 30 to 70
percent, increases water content and air and water flow rate, supply carbon for many microbes
that perform other beneficial functionsin soil, when it is left of top of soil against changes in
acidity on toxicity (Gardiner and Miller, 2004).So, that help to sustain soil fertility by
improvising retention of mineralnutrients of soil flora and fauna. It’s also a key factor associated
with improvement of decline of soil fertility (Brawn et al,. 1994), which plays an important part
in establishing the intrinsic property of soils.
 Afforestation and Reforestation

Vegetation has a curative and protective value. Theotherwise abandoned land may regain
importance as aresult of a carefully planned and efficiently administeredscheme of afforestation.
Girma, (1988) states, that “themost important measure to restore the disturbed ruralecology is the
implementation of afforestation and reforestation. on a scale large enough to cope with
theproblems of soil erosion and water wastage”. An estimated 500 million tree seedlings were
plantedand about 80,000 hectares of hillsides closed for regeneration between 1976 and 1985
(EPA, 1997).

12
3. METHODS AND MATERIALS

3.1. Study area description

3.1.1. Location
The study was conducted in wada kebele, at West Badawacho woreda, Hadiya zone, SNNPR
region.T his kebele is located at 328km south of AddisAbaba. The kebele shares boundary with
different neighbours& West Badawacho town. The attitude of the kebele ranges from 2000-
2200meter above sealevel (West Badawacho woreda report, 2020).

3.1.2. Climate
The climate condition of the study area is characterized by unimodal rain fall pattern&
sometimes there is unexpected rain fall during winter season. The annual rain fall received with
in the area ranges from 900-1200mmper year and the mean annual temperature ranges between
13&27 degree celcious respectively. The main rainy season starts from June& lasting the end
September. The agroecological zone of the study area is characterized by woinadega. (West
Badawacho woreda report, 2020).

3.1.3. Population
Wada is one of the most densely populated kebeles of West Badawacho woreda. According to
population and house censes of 2003 the total population of the kebele is 3534 of these 1717of
them are male and 1817 of them are females those having 1600 house holds among this 849 of
them are femals 751 of them are male house holds. (West Badawacho woreda, 2015).

3.1.4. Land Use System

The majority of the people are depending on agricultural production. Most of the population are
practise mixed agricultural activity, that means mixed of crop production with livestock rearing.
The dominant crops which grow in the study area are teff, maize, wheat, corn & others.

13
3.1.5 Soil type and vegetation
The majority of the people in the study area are depending on agricultural activity. They generate
their income through crop production, livestock rising and small scale trade. The vegetation
cover of the area is some what vegetation dominant plant species that are most dominant in the
study area acacia species, Cordia Africana, Eucalyptus.Its soil type is Vertisol with 42%clay,
22%sand, 36%silt particle properties.

3.2. Methods of data collection

The study area was selected purposively because among 28 kebeles; Wada is relatively consist
high population.the consequence of this excess population was results every land degration due
to exploitation of natural resource they have. Based on the problem happening on the study area
there could be some soil and water conservation measure were taken to treat the exiting gap, of
those treatement measures some of them are; areaclouser, reforestation, awaerness creation about
land degradation and some physical soil and water conservation structure as much as possible
could reduce the consequent soil degradation in to the study area.

The study was conducted using primary and secondary data sources. The primary data was
collected from farmers using questionnaires, interview and physical observation. The secondary
data was collected from different written document materials that are available in the study area
and also from publish and unpublished material from different institution found in the woreda as
well as the University.

3.2.1 Sampling techniques

The study is conducted in Wada area. In the study area there are 1600 households from where 94
respondent will be selected by sampling size formula as shown below (cochran,G,1963)

Where n=sample size

N=total number of population
e=margent error
When n=?
N=1600
e=10%
n=N/1+ (N*e square)
n=1600/1+ (1600*0.1 square)

14
 n=1600/1+ (1600*0.01)
n=1600/17
n=94

3.2.2 Data analysis

The collected data was analyzed using descriptive statistics technique with Stastical Package for
Social Scientists (SPSS) software to analysis data drawn house hold suvery, descripitive stastics
like percentage, frequency, distribution was used to analysed the data. This technique of data
analysis was applied to show the number of respondents that involves in questionnaires;
interview and percentage was also be used to depict responses of the sample respondent and to
place them per hundred portions respectively.

15
4. RESULT AND DISCUSSION

4.1 .Characteristics of Sampled Farmers

4.1.1. Personal characteristics

4.1.1.1. Family size

The basic sampling unit for this analysis is the farm house hold, which had an average family
size of 6 which is above the national average of 5.2 CSA (2003). The largest family size is 11
and the smallest one is 1. Most household have a family size of 6.

Table 1: Distribution of sample household by the family size

Fanily size Ferquency Percentage

Up to 2 3 10
3-6 14 46.66
7-9 12 40
>10 1 3.33
Total 30 100

Source, field survey (2020)

4.1.1.2 Age of the house hold

Table 2, reviles 70% of the house hold are in age of 20-40 year in which 30% from the age of 41-
64.

Table 2: Distribution of sample house hold by the age group

Age of group(in year) Frequency Percentage

20-41 21 70

16
41-64 9 30
>64 - -
Total 30 100
Source, fileld survey (2020)

4.1.1.3 Sex and marital status

The total sampled house hold respondents of 80% were males and the remain 20% of them were
females.

Table 3: Distribution of sample house hold by their sex ratio

Sex rato Frequency Percentage

Male 24 80
Female 6 20
Total 30 100
Source, fileld survey (2020)

When I see their sex ratio male dominates females and the marital status of house hold heads
should that.

Table 4: Distribution of sample house hold head by marital status

Martial status Frequency Percentag

Single 4 13.33
Marrid 20 66.66
Divorced 2 6.66
Widowed 4 13.3
Total 30 100
Source, fileld survey (2020)

In the table shown that about 66.66% of the sample are married it is only 13.33% from the
sample respondents are single the divorced individual contains 6.66% of the sample respondents
they remain 13.33% are widowed as it represented from the above table.

17
4.1.1.4. Educational statues of the house hold head
Most of the house hold is similar in their status of education. The sampled Households who are
illiterate represent 73.33%. While 16.66% of them can only read and write. About 10% at the
sampled respondent have attended elementary school.

Table 5: Distribution of sample Households by their educational level [status]

Educational level

Illiterate 22 73.33
Read and write 5 16.66
Elementery school 3 10
Secondary school - -
Junior and abov - -
Total 30 100
Source, fileldsurvey (2020)

4.1.1.5. Farm experience

Farm experience is the number of years that the house hold involved in farming as a means of
living. The range of experience has layed between 3 and 60 year.

Table 6: Distribution of sampled house hold head by farm experience

Year of farm experience Frequency Percentage

3-13 2 6.66
14-24 15 50
25-35 11 36.66
36-46 2 6.66
>46 - -
Total 30 100
Source, filed survey (2020)

18
4.1.2. Farm characteristics

4.1.2.1. Farm Size

The total farm size included cultivated and fallow land. The most frequent farm size 0.5 hectare.
The minimum and maximum farm sizes were 0.5 hectare and 2.0 hectare respectively.

Table 7: Destribution of sampled households by farm size

Farm size in hectar Frequency Percentage %

0.5-1.0 20 66.66
1.0-1.5 4 13.33
1.5-2 3 10
>2 3 10
Total 30 100
Source, filed survey (2020)

4.1.2.2 Crop production

Crop production is one of the sources of income in addition to livestock rearing. The major crops
grown in the study area are teff, maize, wheat, corn and others. In this area maize is the dominant
crop and profitable in the the respondents’ information.

4.1.2.3. Farm house hold Income

Crop production and livestock rearing are the major components of farming as a main source of
income in the study area. Farmers income is calculated from various earning including proceeds
from the sales of cerial and cash crops (chat,mango), animals, livestock products, poultry, trading
(trade income), sale of fire wood, and then participating by nonfarm(off farm) activities. Rural
communities in general are dependent on agriculture(on farm) activities to make their livelihood
local market prices were used to estimate the value of livestock rearing, crop production and
other sources of income.

Generally, the local community in the study area have a good income level by livestock
production and crop production a specially by producing (cropping) cash crops like that of chat
and mango.

19
Table 8: Distribution of sample household income source

Income source Frequency Percentage%

On farm 22 73.33
Off farm 5 16.66
Both 3 10
Total 30 100
Source, filed survey (2020)

As mentioned in the above table 73.33% of respondents can get their income from on farm
(agriculture and related to agriculture), 16.66 % of respondents were get income from off farm
(outside agriculture) and 10% of respondents can get their incomes from both off farm and on
farm. This indicates most of respondents can get their income from agriculture.

4.2. Nature, Type and problem of erosion in the study area

Table 9: Types of common soil erosion in the study area
Types of erosion Frequency Percentage
Splash 2 6.66
Sheet erosion 9 30
Rill erosion 12 40
Gully erosion 7 23.33
Total 30 100
Source: Field survey, 2020
According to the above table the type of erosion which are common in the study area are splash
erosion, sheet erosion, rill erosion ,and gully erosion .These all mentioned erosion types are
related to the water erosion. The researcher observed in the study area ,the extent and severity is
different based on magnitude ,intensity ,and impacts from all mentioned erosion ,the most sever
type and predominantly occurring erosion types are rill and sheet erosion and in some cases gully
erosion .Rill erosion occurs when the flow start ,concentrated ,and crate a defined flow path. It is
most dangerous types of erosion in the study area that damage crops especially at the time of
germination. These kinds of erosion are highly eroding the fertility of soil from the upper course
of the river .This removal of soil from higher ground is affecting crop cultivation practices.

20
Now a day the extent and effect of erosion is decreasing time to time due to the community
participation and having a great awareness towards those traditional conservation measures. The
extent of erosion in the study area is higher as compared to the surrounding Kebele due to its
topographic features .The extent of erosion in the study area is reaches higher during the rainy
season especially in June and August. During this time sever erosion occurs in the study area
especially on farm land.
According to the trend assessment of the study area, there was high rate of soil erosion, but this
time the rate is decreased because of the involvement of local people conservation strategies or
measures due to the increment of awareness of people about soil erosion, its effectiveness and
improved conservation mechanisms.

4.3 Traditional soil conservation methods being practiced in the study area

Table 10: The type and extent of traditional soil conservation practices applied in the study
area.
Conservation measure Frequency Percentage
Crop rotation 7 23.33
Soil or stone bund 13 43.33
Animal dung 10 33.33
Total 30 100
Source: field survey (2020)

The Wada kebele people are known by traditional soil conservation practice. As noted by the
kebele elder of Wada kebele began such practice in the earliest time in older to combat soil
erosion since people have been practicing to protect the soil from loss. There are also known as
by its biological and structural soil conservation methods ,the biological methods are used to
maintain soil fertility, such methods are crop rotation and application of animal dung .While the
structural methods the one that mainly used for the purpose of controlling soil removal ,such as
soil or stone bund, contouring.

21
4.3.1: Soil bund
Soil bund is an embankment constructed from soil along the contour with water collection
channels or basin at its upper side. These methods are used not only for control of erosion but
also for growth of grass because of the farmer’s plant at the bund. According to the above Table
soil bund in the study area applied (43.33%) of the respondent use this traditional soil
conservation practices use this structure and the material used for this type of structure is more
available in the study area (those farmers who lives in Wada kebele were give consideration for
traditional soil conservation because they require on farm incomes rather than off farm incomes).

4.3.2: Animal dung

Animal dung is widely accepted organic fertilizer in the society of Wada mbi kebele. Therefore,
the community of the study area often used the natural fertilizer to increase the fertility of the
soil thus it can possibly be said that natural fertilizer is widely accepted and widely used for
stabilization and increment of soil fertility and moisture of soil among the farmers in the kebele.
According to the field survey made for this study, about 33.33% of farmers living in this kebele
accept application of manure. Animal dung is mostly applied in the study area most likely due to
there is sufficient amount of livestock size including cattle, sheep, goats, horse and hens, the
community of the study area often used the natural fertilizer to increase the fertility of the soil
this natural fertilizer is widely accepted and widely used for stabilization and increment of soil
fertility and moisture of soil. Also the presence of greater average household size, in this kebele
is also expected to contribute some for adoption of greater adoption of animal manure in the
kebele since presence higher household size would yield greater labor size.

4.3.3 Crop Rotation

According to the above table 13, 23.33 % of respondents are user of crop rotation and some of
respondents are non users of crop rotation due to lack of awareness of the community and
problems related to culture for example wedding. Crop rotation has many agronomic, economic
and environmental benefits compared to mono culture cropping. Appropriate crop rotation
increase organic matter in the soil, improve soil structure, reduce soil degradation, and can result
in higher yields and greater farm profitability in the long term. It is used to control weeds and
diseases.

22
5. CONCLUSIONS AND RECOMMENDATIONS

5.1. Conclusion
The study indicated that there was land degradation in the study area which was caused by high
population growth. Population growth has reasulted an influence on land degradation in study
area; increased population is negatively related with size of land used for different activities,
when population size increased the amount and size of land that can be used for various
economic activity decreases. This is major problem investigated Wada Kebele administration.
Dense population and inappropriate farming practices combined with intensive rain and rugged
topography intensified land degradation problem in the kebele. The high population growth
made steep fragile areas to be included into cultivation, thus accelerating rate of soil erosion.In
the study area the population growth increases, the demand to clear more forests also increase
because of the increasing population needs lands for cultivation and needs for fuel wood
collection from the area of forest. There for by this activities land degradation was created. In the
study area the use of their land mostly for crop production rather than other because the high
population density and their limited land not enough to practice rather than crop but in some area
there is small amount of garden plants and forestation. Generally the population use their land for
crop intensively the land vernal able to water and wind erosion which leads to land
degradation.In the study area several conservation measures were practiced by the farmers to
solve land degradation such as physical, biological and soil management practices were done.
Due to these measure most of the area in the Kebele were rehabilitated from land degradation.

23
5.2. Recommendation
 I recommended that there were land degradation in the study area so the farmers must
control land degradation.
 Governmental and other NGOs help to educate about birth control mechanism for local
community.
 Government should be creating awareness for local community to mitigate land
degradation.
 Government could spread the contraceptive method for all the people and educating
people about their culture and flow the modern once. This reduces high fertility rate of
the kebele.
 The responsible body's should be control population pressure on deforestation, feed the
animals by cutting and carrying method on their house this is very important to protect
different conservation measures from any damage.

24
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APPENDIX

Dear housholds the main objective of this questionnaire is to identify the effect of population
growth on land degradation in Wada kebele and Specific objectives, identify the effects of
population growth on land degradation in the study area, show the relation between population
growth and the extent of land degradation in the study area, and indicate possible solution to
overcome land degradation in the study area .The correct responses you will provide largely
contribute to the successful completion of the study.

Part I: Back ground information of the house holds

1. Sex: male  female 

2. Age: <20  21-30  41-50 >50 

3. Marital status: Single  widowed  divorced  married 

4. Education level: Illiterate primary  secondary  above 

6. Farm size: indicated how much farm you have?

A. One hectare  B, Two hectare  C. Three hectare  D, >Four hectare 

7. Do you have family? A.Yes  B. No 

8. If your answer is the above question how many--------------------------------------------

9. Have you farm experience before this year? A.Yes  B. No 

10. If your answer is yes the above question how many years------------------------------------------

For the following questions provide your response by putting (X) in the box

Part II: Questionnaires

1. What are the causes for land degradation in your area?

A. Population growth  B, Over grazing 
C, Deforestation  D, Other please explain
why--------------------------------------------------------

29
2. For what type of activities you use your land?

A. Crop production B.Garden plants

C.Forestation D.Other specify-----------------------------------

3. Is there any continues fragmentation and dividing the farm land in the Kebele you live?

A. Yes  B. No 

4. Is the farm land being decreased in size?

Yes  B. No 

5. If your answer to question 4 is “yes” why do you think the reason for that?

A. increasing family size  B, population growth C, loss of soil

fertility
B. extension of forestation program
C. If others, please specify
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
---------------        

6. What is the cause of deforestation?

D. Need for cultivation

E. Need for fuel wood collection
F. If others, please
specify----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
------------------------        

7. Did you see any effect of population growth on land degradation in your area?

A) Yes  B) No 

8. If you say “yes” for question number 7 specify

then-----------------------------------------------------------           

30
9. Is there any effect of population growth on land productivity in your area?

A) Yes B) No

10. If you say “yes” for question number 9, what kind of effect did you observe in your
surrounding?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-        

11. Is the population size increasing from time to time in the area?

A, yes  B, No 

11. What would happentothe land if the population size rise?

----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

12. Have you seen the soil fertility loss in farm land?

Yes  B .No 

13. If you say “yes” to question number 12, how? Please

specify----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

14. What kind of mitigation measures are being used to solve the problem of land degradation
in your area?

A. Physical measure  B. Biological measure 

C. soil management  D.others……

15. What factors limit the implementation of those measures to decrease land degradation in your
area?        Please explain them
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

16. Have you received any traditional soil conservation practice on your farm land?

A, Yes  B, No 

17. If your answer yes in the above question, what are they?

31
A, Stone bund/soil bund  B, Water way 

C, Application of manure  D, Fallowing 

18. Do you apply plowing activities in your farm land?

A, Yes  B, No 

19. If your answer yes in the above question which type of plowing activities you apply on your
farm land

A, Modern  B, Traditional  C, Both 

20. Is there land degradation in your area?

A, Yes  B, No 

21. If your answer is yes for the above question what are the major forms of land degradation in
your area

A, Splash erosion  B, Sheet erosion 

C, Rill erosion  D, Gulley erosion 

22. What are the major sources of your income?

A, Crop production/on farm  B, Mixed farming/both 

C, Trading/off farm 

32
33