Household- and plot-level impacts of sustainable land management practices in the face of climate variability and change: empirical evidence from Dabus Sub-basin, Blue Nile River, Ethiopia

Sustainable land management (SLM) is a leading policy issue in Ethiopia. However, the adoption and continuous use of SLM technologies remain low. This study investigates the interrelationship of adopted SLM technologies and key factors of farmers’ decisions to use SLM technologies in the North Gojjam sub-basin of the Upper Blue Nile. The study was based on the investigation of cross-sectional data obtained from 414 randomly selected rural household heads, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews. Descriptive statistics and Econometric models (i.e., Multivariate Probit and Poisson regression) were used to analyze quantitative data, while a content analysis method was used for qualitative data analysis. Results indicate that at least one type of SLM technology was implemented by 94% of farm households in the North Gojjam sub-basin. The most widely used technologies were chemical fertilizer, soil bund, and animal manure. Most of the adopted SLM technologies complement each other. Farm size, family size, male-headed household, local institutions, perception of soil erosion, livestock size, total income, and extension service increased the adoption probability of most SLM technologies. Plot fragmentation, household age, plot distance, off-farm income, market distance, and perception of good fertile soil discourage the adoption probability of most SLM technologies. To scale up SLM technologies against land degradation, it is important to consider households’ demographic characteristics, the capacity of farm households, and plot-level related factors relevant to the specific SLM technologies being promoted.

Download Full-text

Assessing the Economic Benefits of Sustainable Land Management Practices in Bhutan

SSRN Electronic Journal ◽

10.2139/ssrn.2483995 ◽

2014 ◽

Cited By ~ 9

Author(s):

Ephraim Nkonya ◽

Raghavan Srinivasan ◽

Weston Anderson ◽

Edward Kato

Keyword(s):

Land Management ◽

Management Practices ◽

Economic Benefits ◽

Sustainable Land Management

Download Full-text

Role of Sustainable Land Management (SLM) in Adapting to Climate Variability Through Agricultural Practices—Experiences from Ethiopian Highlands

Climate Change Management - Climate Change Adaptation in Africa ◽

10.1007/978-3-319-49520-0_29 ◽

2017 ◽

pp. 475-492 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Georg Deichert ◽

Ashenafi Gedamu ◽

Befikadu Nemomsa

Keyword(s):

Climate Variability ◽

Land Management ◽

Agricultural Practices ◽

Sustainable Land Management ◽

Ethiopian Highlands

Download Full-text

Insights on the relationship between total grazing pressure management and sustainable land management: key indicators to verify impacts

The Rangeland Journal ◽

10.1071/rj19078 ◽

2019 ◽

Vol 41 (6) ◽

pp. 535 ◽

Cited By ~ 6

Author(s):

C. M. Waters ◽

S. E. McDonald ◽

J. Reseigh ◽

R. Grant ◽

D. G. Burnside

Keyword(s):

Land Management ◽

Management Practices ◽

Temporal Trends ◽

Grazing Intensity ◽

Grazing Pressure ◽

Environmental Stewardship ◽

Grazing Management ◽

Sustainable Land Management ◽

Key Indicators ◽

The Impact

Demonstrating sustainable land management (SLM) requires an understanding of the linkages between grazing management and environmental stewardship. Grazing management practices that incorporate strategic periods of rest are promoted internationally as best practice. However, spatial and temporal trends in unmanaged feral (goat) and native (kangaroo) populations in the southern Australian rangelands can result land managers having, at times, control over less than half the grazing pressure, precluding the ability to rest pastures. Few empirical studies have examined the impacts of total grazing pressure (TGP) on biodiversity and resource condition, while the inability to manage grazing intensity at critical times may result in negative impacts on ground cover, changes in pasture species composition, increased rates of soil loss and reduce the ability for soils to store carbon. The widespread adoption of TGP control through exclusion fencing in the southern Australian rangelands has created unprecedented opportunities to manage total grazing pressure, although there is little direct evidence that this infrastructure leads to more sustainable land management. Here we identify several key indicators that are either outcome- or activity-based that could serve as a basis for verification of the impacts of TGP management. Since TGP is the basic determinant of the impact of herbivory on vegetation it follows that the ability for rangeland pastoral management to demonstrate SLM and environmental stewardship will rely on using evidence-based indicators to support environmental social licence to operate.

Download Full-text