Farmers’ perceptions of climate change and its implication on livestock production in mixed-farming system areas of Bale highlands, Southeast Ethiopia; Challenges and extents of Soil and Water Conservation measures in Guba-Lafto Woreda of North Wollo, Ethiopia; Evaluation of milk production performance of lactating Fogera cows fed with urea and effective micro-organisms treated rice straw as basal diet.

E3 Journal of Agricultural Research and Development

E3 Journal of Agricultural Research and Development Vol. 5 (1) pp. 0101-0107, January 2015; © E3 Journals; ISSN 2276-9897

Community perception on rangeland degradation: a case study in two differently settled areas of northern Ethiopia.

Solomon Gebreyowhans 1 *
1 Animal nutrition research, Humera Agricultural Research Center, P.O. Box 62, Humera, Ethiopia
*Corresponding Author E-mail: solax1999@gmail.com
Accepted 28 December 2014

Abstract

The study was conducted in 2013 in western zone of Tigray regional state in northern Ethiopia in two settlement areas that differed in terms of duration of settlement from = 8 years (hereinafter referred to as New) to =18 years (hereinafter referred to as Old). The objectives of the study were to assess and analyze farmers perceptions about rangeland degradation and investigate farmers conservation strategies in the new and old settlements. The farmers perception was studied through semi-structured questionnaire (a total of 90 households for both settlements) and group discussions (containing seven to twelve members) in six peasant associations (three from each old and new settlement). The entire respondents of both settlements replied that the current condition of the rangeland declined severely overtime. Some important and palatable grasses such as Rottboelia cochinchinensis, Topaz (local name), Dinebra retroflexa, Pennisetum spp, Echinochloa spp and Setaria pallide-fusca which were dominant species of the rangelands mentioned to be in threat of extinction from most of the grazing lands. Following the reduction of these palatable species, unwanted and unpalatable plants for livestock such as Acanthospermum hispidum, Xanthium abyssinicum and Senna obtusifolia started to dominate most of the grazing lands and the main problems were expansion of cultivation, overgrazing and population pressure. The study confirmed that rangeland degradation is more pronounced around settlements. Therefore, in order to improve the condition of the rangeland, extension service must be given to the community on proper rangeland management and improvement measures.

Keywords: Cover, Cultivation, Overgrazing, Re-settlement, unwanted species, vegetation

[Download Article - PDF]
ABOUT e3journals

E3 Journals is an open access initiative comprising hundreds of volunteers in many countries to enhance the dissemination of research. The heart of the project is a decentralized database, journal articles and software components. All articles published by E3 Journals will be peer-reviewed.

BOTTOM NAVIGATION