Abstract:
Nowadays, Land degradation is threatening millions of people in the world. Particularly in
Ethiopia it is becoming one of the most important problems of food security in the country.
The overall objective of the study is to explore land degradation problems and management
challenges in Abichu Gnea Woreda. The study used both quantitative and qualitative
approach and a sample of 152 respondents were selected using simple random sampling
techniques. In this study questionnaire, interview and focus group discussions were used as a
means of primary data collection tools while published and unpublished reports were used as
a means of secondary data collection tools. The findings of the research showed that the
study area is suffering from land degradation. It is caused by population pressure,
continuous cultivation; free grazing/overgrazing, deforestation, unseasonal heavy rainfall
and steep slope cultivation. Land management strategies of farmers include: terracing, soil
bunds and contour plaguing are mostly practiced. The educational status of farmers and
their access to extension services as well as farmers’ training have significant positive effect
on farmers land management practices. The researcher concludes that even though the
Woreda have been practicing different types of land management practices, however, the
changes on the ground are very less and not continuous. The researcher recommends that the
Woreda should intensively work on provision of better alternative measures of natural
resource conservations like agro-forestry and work on capacity building of farmers to do so.
Government, NGOs, Institutions and community at large should work on the issue of land
management cooperatively on permanent manner. Different opportunities and supportive
activities are recommended for off farm activities and so on
