COLLEGE OF NATURAL AND COMPUTATIONAL SCIENCE

DEPARTEMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

TITLE: OPPORTUNITES AND CHALLENGES OF REHABILITATION

DEGRADED LAND IN DEBRE MARKOS TOWN DEJEN WOREDA

BY

1. BIRTUKAN MULIE (NCS/R/205/11)

2. BEZAWIT WENDIMU (NCS/R/204/11)

3. MELKAM WALE (NCS/R/225/11)

4. MULU BAYIH (NCS/R/231/11)

5. YENATFENTA CHERU (NCS/R/253/11)

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 Table of Contents

1. INTRODUCTION………………………………………………………….. 1

1.1 Background 1

1.2 Statement of the problem………………………………….……………... 1

1.3 Objective of the study…………………………………………………….. 2

1.3.1 General objective 2

1.3.2 Specific objectives 2

1.4. Research question .........................................................................................................2

1.5 Significance of the study ……………………………………………………………………...2

1.6 Limitation of the Study………………………………………………...…. 3

2. LITERATURE REVIEW………………………………………………….. 3
2.1 Definition and concept of land degradation……………………………... 3
2.2. Major Cause of land degradation………………………………………... 4

2.2.1 Natural causes (biophysical causes)…………………………………. 4

2.2.2. Land management practices (anthropogenic cause)………………..4

2.3. Land rehabilitation……………………………………………………….5

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2.4. Opportunities of degraded land rehabilitation…………………………..5
2.5. Challenges of degraded land rehabilitation……………………………..6
2.5.1. Socio-economic and institutional challenges………………………6
2.5.2 Environmental challenge…………………………………………….6
2.6. Consequence of land degradation…....7
3. MATERIALS AND METHODS…………………………………………..8

3.1 Description of study area……………………………………………...…8

3.1.1 Location……………………………………………………………..8

3.1.2 Climate…………………………………………………………….…8

3.1.3 Population…………………………………………………………....8

3.1.4 Topography…………………………………………………………..8

3.1.5 Soil type………………………………………………………………8

3.1.6 Land use………………………………………………………………9

3.1.7 Production system……………………………………………..…….9

3.2 Sampling technique and sampling size………………………….….......9

3.3 Method of data collection………………………………………………10

3.4Method of data analysis…………………………………………………10

4. WORK PLAN AND BUDGET PLAN…………………………………..11

4.1 Budget Plan……………………………………………………………..11

4.2 Work plan (Gantt chart)………………………………………………..13

5. REFERENCE……………………………………………………………...14

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List of abbreviation

UNCCD United Nations Conations to Combat Desertification

FAO Food and Agricultural Organization

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1. INTRODUCTION

1.1 Background

In Ethiopian, land degradation has become a serious problem affecting all spheres of
social, economic and political life of the population. It is one of the major challenges to
agricultural development and food security of the country.The rate of the country's land
degradation is very high. A large portion of the agricultural land, which is mainly
located in the highland part of the country, is affected by severe to moderate land
degradation (Kruger et al., 2001).

Ethiopia for the last couple of decades has faced serious ecological imbalances because
of large scale deforestation and soil erosion caused by improper farming practice
agricultural production, water security.

As fertile soil is degrade, these who rely on the land less able to grow or harvest
sufficient food, and their hope of improving their livelihoods are diminished. In this
edition of new agriculturist, we focus on some of the approaches and policies that can
help successfully rehabilitate degraded land. While each of the articles high light
different approaches, the common one for successful restoration of farm land is the
importance of involving Local communities and the need to change existing agricultural
practices (Tadess, 2001).

1.2 Statement of the problem

Land degradation is one of the most serious problems in the developing countries with
its having variety of different effects. The decreased agricultural productivity, gradual
decline of soil fertility, and vegetation cover are the major consequences of land
degradation. As mentioned in Blay,et al 2004 land degradation is one of the
biggest problems in sub-Saharan Africa, threatening the lives of millions of people
(Blay, et al2004). The author out lined the main consequences of land degradation
which impact negatively on human livelihoods and the environment as shortages of fire
wood. Scarcity of timber products, increased sediment deposits, flooding and
landslides, drying up of springs and water bodies, siltation of dams, increasing
incidence of water-borne diseases, loss of biodiversity, climate change and
desertification. Deforestation and land degradation in Ethiopia, however, are impairing
the forests and the land to contribute to food security and to provide other profits
such as fuel wood and fodder (Badege, 2001).

1.3 Objective of the study

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1.3.1 General objective
The general objective of the study is to assess the opportunities and challenges of
degraded land rehabilitation practices on study area.

1.3.2 Specific objectives

 To identify major causes and consequences, of land degradation in study area.
 To identify major opportunities for degraded land rehabilitation in the study area.
 To assess major challenges and shortcomings in undertaking land rehabilitation
practices.

1.4. Research question

Based on the above specific objectives, the research attempts to answer the following
question:

What are the main causes of land degradation in the study area?

What are opportunities for degraded land rehabilitation in the study area?

What are challenges and shortcomings in undertaking land rehabilitation practices?

What are the main socio-economic, institutional and natural factors that affect the
practice of land rehabilitation?

1.5 Significance of the study

The outcome of the study will generate information for different stakeholders,
researchers, policymakers, governmental and nongovernmental organization, and
farmer’s local level organizations to design develop effective land rehabilitation
practices and strategies.

1.6 Limitation of the Study

This study has some limitations and faced some constraints: From these, a financial
constraint was the main drawback during conducting this study. The data collection

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time (May to June) was found to be inconvenient for most of the farming population in
the study areas as it was peak agricultural activity season. Most farmers were reluctant
to spare their scarce time for interview. The time allocated for the survey was found to
be insufficient to arrange and integrate some of the questions in the questionnaire and to
make proper follow-up and control of the data collection process. Even though the
household questionnaire interviewed to each household was designed to be concise, it
was lengthy and in some areas some of the questions were not understood .However, the
researchers have attempted and took all the best to make study effective and valuable
work.

2. LITERATURE REVIEW
2.1 Definition and concept of land degradation
Land degradation is defined differently by different authors. Some regard it as a
synonym of soil degradation, while others explain the difficulty to define it because of
its wider range and scope. According to the United Nations convention to combat
desertification (UNCCD), land degradation is defined as a natural process or a human
activity that causes the land to be unable to provide intended services for an extended
time (FAO, 2004).
i. Land degradation is a concept in which the value of the biophysical environment
is affected by one or more combination of human induced processes acting upon
the land. Land degradation which is also seen as a decline in land quality caused
by human activities, has been a major global issue since the 20th century and it
has remained high on the international agenda in the 21st century. Land
degradation can be viewed as any change or disturbance to the land perceived to
be deleterious or undesirable of land (Eswaran, 2001).

In general, the extent of land resources degradation in Ethiopia, especially the degree of
soil erosion, nutrient depletion and deforestation in highland areas, above 1500 m.a.s.l
of the country is very high. A significant amount of arable land in the highlands of the
country is lost due to land degradation, which has different causes behind it (Lakew, et
al., 2000). Due to the high degree of degradation, important renewable natural resources
such as soil, water, forest and other forms of biodiversity are highly deteriorating in the
Ethiopian highlands. This problem is further aggravated by the expansion of agriculture
to marginal areas (Gete, 2002). Land degradation particularly soil degradation has
significant negative impact on productivity of land. This is because soil degradation and
soil productivity are inversely related. That is, where degradation is taking place at a
higher rate the productivity is less and vice versa, other things remain the same. It is
manifested by a reduction in the actual or potential productivity of soils. This
productivity of soil is significantly affected in Ethiopia due to the serious soil
degradation in the country (Moped 1994, cited in Desta 2009).

2.2. Major Cause of land degradation

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2.2.1 Natural causes (biophysical causes)
Natural causes include high slope, unstable geology, high speed of wind flooding,
drought, topography, which determines soil erosion hazard, and climatic conditions,
such as rainfall, wind, and temperature. In addition to socio economic and institutional
factors, there are also natural factors that are contributing to land degradation in
Ethiopia. The most important one are slope of land and high intensity of rainfall. Steep
relief is among the major natural causes for land degradation in the country. Rain with
high intensity on bare, unprotected soil is also resulting in erosion by water in the
Ethiopian highlands (lakew 2000). The erosive capacity of rainfall is a function of its
intensity and distribution. Intense tropical storm, which is poorly distributed (only with
in the months of June to September) is the major cause of erosion in most highlands of
the country. Theerodibility of soil, which is a function of its intrinsic properties
(texture, structure, organic matter content) and, degree of vegetation cover are other
determining factors for loss of soil through run-off. Mountains and undulating terrain
characterize relief in most highlands of Ethiopia; this coupled with poor physical and
chemical properties of some soils make the high lands erosion prone (lakew et al.,
2000)

2.2.2. Land management practices (anthropogenic cause).

Unsustainable land management practices (anthropogenic causes), such as deforestation,
forest degradation, soil nutrient mining, and cultivation on steep slopes, population
density, poverty, land tenure, access to agricultural extension, infrastructure, as well as
policies that promote the use of land degrading practices (for example, bio energy
subsidies that encourage the conversion of land use at the expense of
biodiversity).Underlying causes of land degradation often have self-perpetuating
characteristics. For example, poverty can lead to underinvestment in sustainable land
management practices. At the same time, poverty can be induced or increased by
degraded soil productivity. The relationship between immediate and underlying causes
is complex; empirical evidence shows that the impact of underlying factors is context
specific (lambin et al., 2003).

The causes of land degradation are complex. Nevertheless, they are similar in many
developing countries. Population pressure has been the major driver of the problem, and
has resulted in extensive conversion of forest and vegetation-covered lands into
cultivation and grazing land. Conversion of forest and marginal lands to cultivation is
followed by severe erosion. It was reported that severe deforestation in Ethiopia
occurred between1900´s and the 1980´s that resulted in a forest cover decline from 40%
to less than 3%, and consequently, soil erosion reached an alarming rate. The annual
topsoil loss due to erosion in the Ethiopian highlands is estimated about 1 billion m3
(Daniel, 2002). Unsounded management practices;uncountrolled and excessive
garaging ,poor soil management practices ,improper forest harvesting ,shifting

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cultivation, micro policy-relate factor ;land ownership problem, unplanned
organization,inappreoppriates land use practices ,lack of environment protection
,measure in infrastructures development activities the cause contributing for land
degradation in Ethiopia is complex and diverse. It is the result of complex interaction
between physical, chemical, biological, socioeconomic and political issues of local,
national or global nature. Among the cause of land degradation, some are population
growth, expansion of agriculture to forests and marginal lands, poverty, land ownership
problems which are related to land tenure and government policy, political instability
and land administration, overgrazing, inappropriate agriculture, and large scale
expansion of irrigated agriculture ( Taffa, et al., 2002).

2.3. Land rehabilitation

Land rehabilitation is process of rehabilitating the land in a given area to some degree
of its former state. It’s a re-engineering process that attempts to rehabilitate an area of
land back to its natural state after it has been damaged as result of some sort of
disruption. In this study, land restoration implies regeneration of degraded lands
through structural and biological strategies . Land restoration practices in the
context of this study refers to the practices that people in the study area modern
environmental conserve forest, soil and water resources and through the knowledge
that they acquire through education that could be from agricultural experts. It also
indicates the activities carried out by local community to restoration degraded areas.
Conservation is applied maintain enhance and wise manage or reduce resource
depletion. The conservation of natural resources improves livelihoods productivity of
production (Clark, 1985: desta, 2009).

2.4. Opportunities of degraded land rehabilitation

Traditionally through time, farmers have developed different soil conservation and land
management practices of their own. With those practices, the farmers are able to sustain
their production for centuries. Until now, those technologies are playing a significant
role in the production of subsistence agriculture. Among the traditional land
rehabilitation techniques that have been practiced by Ethiopian farmers, the major ones
include: ploughing of narrow ditches on sloping fields to control run-off, farmland
terraces, traditional ditches and furrows, contour ploughing, fallowing, crop rotation,
farmyard manure and agro-forestry (Betru,2003). Large-scale efforts for implementing
natural resource conservation and development programs had taken place to reverse the
problem of land degradation in study area starting from the1970s. The programs mainly
focused on soil and water conservation and rehabilitation of degraded land of
conservation approaches in the development and transfer of technologies considerably
contributes to the ineffectiveness of the strategies and the failure of the projects
, et al., 2003). Moreover, various socio-economic, cultural and political constraints,
improper planning; inadequate efforts, (yeraswork, et al., 2000) .Although, Ethiopian

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has made commendable effort in term of policy and strategy responses to address to
land degradation , 2003).
2.5. Challenges of degraded land rehabilitation
2.5.1. Socio-economic and institutional challenges
There were many challenges associated with land rehabilitation practices in the study
area. Regarding socio-economic challenges about that lack of materials like stone to
undertake land rehabilitation practices is the major challenge followed by high cost of
maintenance and lack of knowledge how to perform and maintain the structures are
major socio-economic challenges from community point of view (Tadess, 2001).
Institutional gaps resulting from outsiders or from higher authority are also other
factors challenging land rehabilitation practices in the study area. An individual’s
confirmed that poor monitoring and evaluation of introduced technology is fundamental
institutional factor that affects our land rehabilitation practices. Majority of them also
narrated that one’s outsiders introduce given technology and they poorly examine what
is the effect of introduced technology in our way of life. An introduction of new
technology, they poorly put the introduced technology in to the ground and poor
training on technology use affects our land rehabilitation practices. As the result shows
that poor monitoring and evaluation of introduced technology is the major institutional
challenge of land rehabilitation (Tadess, 2001).
2.5.2 Environmental challenge
Regarding environmental challenges almost all factors are dominant in the study area
that topographic formation is the major environmental challenge followed by climatic
conditions such as high rainfall, high surface run of and others which constitutes are
soil conditions like water logging are also another environmental challenges associated
with land rehabilitation practices in study area that poor vegetation cover is another
environmental challenge that in bits our land rehabilitation practices. This shows that
topography is the dominant factor affecting land rehabilitation practices in the study
area and poor vegetation cover is least concern from their point of view (Hessen H,
2006).
2.6. Consequence of land degradation

Ethiopia, the issue of land degradation is so vital since the livelihood of the biggest
portion of the country’s population and the overall economy of the country depend on

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agriculture. Land degradation is seriously affecting agricultural production and food
security of the country’s population. nowadays, it is becoming one of the important
problems of food security in the country (Akililu, 2006).This is for the reason that, the
high degree of land degradation in Ethiopia, especially the degradation in the form of
soil erosion is one of the major environmental problems that have negatively affected
the performance of agricultural sector as the overall economy. Accordingly, the
livelihood of Ethiopian population is threatened by the increasing trend of land
degradation,et(Aklilu al.,2006). The impact of land degradation on Ethiopia’s
agricultural economy is very large. Ethiopia is losing 30,000 hectares of land on annual
basis due to degradation and so far more than 2 million hectares have already been
severally damaged (WB 2007b). The country is losing a significant volume of soil every
year due to soil erosion. the annual loss of soil in highlands of Ethiopia was estimated
to range from 20 to 100 tons/hectare per year which leads to an annual productivity loss
on cropland of 0.1% to 2% of total production for the country (lakew et al., 2000).In
general, the agricultural economy of the country is highly threatened by land
degradation induced by specifically accelerated soil erosion.

3. MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1 Description of study area

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3.1.1 Location

Bichena is a worda in west centeral Ethiopia.Located in the Misraq

Gojjam Zone of the Amhara Region on the hillside overlooking the
Abay river,it has a latitude and longitude of 1027N 3812E and an
elevation of 2541 meters above sea level.It is the administrative center of
Enemay woreda.

3.1.2 Climate

In Bichena,the wet season is mostly cloudy,the dry season is partly

cloudy and it is comfortable year round.Over the course of the year , the
temperature typically varies from 47 F to 77 F and is rarely below 42F
or above 82F.
.

3.1.3 Population
The total population of Bichena Woreda was 21,824 from those, 10,833are female
and 10,824. are meal out of the total population of 783 are household
(CentralStatisticalAgency, 2007).

3.1.4 Topography
The topographic within 2 miles of Bichena contains only modest varitions in
elevation,with a maximum elevation change of 469 feet and an average elevation
above sea level of 8,157 feet.Within 10 miles contains only modest varationsin
elevation(3,812 feet).

3.1.5 Soil type

In Bechena woreda, these were two type of soil such as clay soil covered 25% and
silt soil covered 75%. Among these the dominated soil type is silt soil (Asemelash
A, 2009).

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3.1.6 Land use
The study area of the land coverage is 1248 hectares from these the cultivated
land is 65% ha, grazing land 8.5%, forest land 2.5%, home steady land 15%
building of nongovernmental institution 1.5%, building of governmental
institution 2% shrub land 2.5% and non land use 1% and permanent coverage of
land by rock 2% (Ayaleww2009).

3.1.7 Production system

The production system of study is mixed farming system which includes both
crop production and live stock husbandry. The dominantly cultivated annual crops
are cereals like; maize, tiff, wheat, bean, peas, chat and vegetable like; tomato,
cabbage, potato and carrot. The dominant live stock productions are sheep, goat,
cow, ox, horse, mule, donkey and hen. These types of farming systems are the
major sources of income and increase the living standard of the community.

3.2 Method of data collection

The data would be collected from primary and secondary data sources. The
primary data collected from field observation, interview and secondary data
collected from different written document that gives the relevant information,
public book, internet and Woreda agricultural office.

3.3 Method of data analysis

The information gathered from different data source that would be both
quantitative and qualitative. The qualitative data should be analyzed through
percent, mean and table descriptive statistics but quantitative data should be
analyzed would be summarized in number.

4. WORK PLAN AND BUDGET PLAN

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4.1 Budget Plan
I have proposed the following budget in order to accomplish this thesis work in table
blow the units for all budgets that are listed in the table are in Ethiopian birr. The full
details are shown in the following.

I Stationary and Miscellaneous expenses

No Item Unit Quantit Unit Total

y Price Price
1 Note book Pad 4 60 240
2 Internet service Hr 12 250 3000
3 CD RM Pcs 3 30 90
4 Printing of first draft of Page 15 2 30
proposal
5 Printing of first draft of Page 70 2 140
Thesis
6 Printing of final draft of Page 80 2 160
Thesis
7 Color Print of final draft Page 15 10 150
of Thesis
8 Binding of proposal Piece 2 20 40
9 Binding of Thesis Piece 5 50 250
10 Photo coping of page 30 1 30
proposal
11 Photo coping of Thesis page 160 1 160
12 Pen No 10 4 40
13 Flash disk(16GB) Pcs 2 300 600
Total 4930

II Personal and transport expense

No Item Price
(birr)
1 Personal expense 4000
2 Transport expense 4400
3 Per diem for data collectors 3400
Total 11800

III Communication and other

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No Cost Item Price
(birr)
1 Phone calling 2000
expense
2 Bead room expense 4000
Total 6000

IV Summary of the budget

No Cost Item Price

1 Stationary and Miscellaneous expense 4900
2 Personal and transport expense 11800
3 Communication and other 6000
4 Sub total 22730
Contingency (10%total) 2273
Grand total 25,000

4.2 Work plan (Gantt chart)

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 Months in which the activities will be carried out

Feb Mar April May Jun Jul August Septem

ber
Activity

1 Title Selection

2 Proposal writing *

3 Proposal
presentation

4 Synthesis of data * *

5 Characterization *

6 Submission of first *
draft of thesis

7 Submission of
thesis

8 Presentation of 
thesis

5. REFERENCE

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AkliluAmsalu (2006).Caring for the Land: Best Practices in Soil and Water,

Conservation in Beres Water Shade, Highlands of Ethiopia,

Tropical Resource Management papers, No.76

AlemayehuTafesse (2006) Water Shade Management Approach in

Reversing Soil Degradation; Ethiopian Experience and Lessons

Learnt. The Role of the River Nile in poverty reduction and economic
Development in the Region, Proceedings of the Conference held at the
United Nations Economic Commission for Africa Conference Hall
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, November 30-December 2, 2006, Nile Basin
Development Forum 2006 (NDBF- 2006).

AlemnehDejene (2003) .Integrated Natural Resource Management to

Enhance Food Security The Case for Community Based Approaches in

Ethiopia, Environment and Natural Resources Working Paper No. 16,
FAO, Rome.

BadegBishaw and Abdu Abdel Kadir (2003) Agro forestry and community

Forestry of Rehabilitation of degraded water shades on the Ethiopia

highlInternational Symposium on Contemporary Development Issue
in Ethiopia, July 11-12, 2003 Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

BekeleShiferaw, Okllo J., and Reddy, R.V. (2007). Adoption and

Adaptation of Natural Resource Management Innovations in

Smallholder Agriculture: Reflections on Key Lessons and Best
Practices, B.V. 2007

Belay Tegene (2002) Land cover/Land use changes in the Derekolli

Catchments of the South WeloZoneofAmhara Region, Ethiopia,

Eastern Africa social science Research Review 14, No 1:1-18

Betru Nedessa (2003). Principles and Techniques for Biological Soil

Conservation, Soil Water Conservation Division. Guideline

No.3,MoA.ETH/2488/III

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DestaDamena (2009); Determinants of Farmer’s Land Management

Practice: The case of Tole, South West Shewa Zone Oromia National
Regional State,

Feder, G.Onchan, T. Chalainwong, V. and Hongland a ron, C (2000) Land

Policies and far Productivity in Thailand. Johns Hopkins University

Press, Baltimore, MD

GeneneTsegaye (2006).Farmer’s Perception of Land Degradation and

Determinants of HouseholdFood Security Status at Middle

Catchments of Bilate Water shade.

GeteZeleke (2002).Resourse Use and Poverty in the Ethiopia Highlands. In:

TilahunAmede Proceeding of a conference on Natural Resource

Degradation and Environmental Concernsin the Amhara National
Regional State: Impact on Food Security.p 109-125.
BahirDar,Ethiopia

HabtamuErtiro (2006) Adoption of Physical Soil and Water Conservation

Structures in Anna WaterShade, Hadiya Zone Ethiopia,

HagosFistum, Pender John and NegaGeberssilassie (1999).Land

Degradation in the Highlands of Tigray and Strategies for

Sustainable Land Management. Addis Ababa

Hussen Haycho(2006). Land Use Change and Challenges of Land

Degradation in Adaba Area, Bale Zone,

KebedeTato (1989) Development of reclaimed land, Report of the second

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