Land tenure, cropping patterns and reforestation in gambella region of southwest Ethiopia

This study analyzes the relation between land tenure system, cropping patterns and reforestation in Gambella of Southwest Ethiopia. The study area was one of the most densely forested areas in the country in the past few decades. As a result of various factors the degree of deforestation appears to be growing exponentially. After specifying the general and specific objectives along with the hypotheses, the dissertation develops a microeconomic household production model. The relevant econometric methods including bivariate and Probit and/or Logit model are discussed. The results show that market incentives (where price is proxied by distance to nearby road) plays a significant role in increasing areas devoted to perennial crops. Access to roads will not only help increase forest cover via perennial crop but would also enhance farmers’ income and wellbeing. Deforestation can also be arrested through keeping a large portion of agricultural land as fallow. Most important the education variable (a measure of the quality of human capital) needs to be highlighted. Communities with more access to education (from elementary all the way to high school and above) are likely to be engaged in modem agricultural activities and are aware of the virtues of reforestation as well as long term investment. In general the study clearly shows that rehabilitating deforested areas is a multifaceted undertaking and a win-win situation some of which are highlighted in this study.