Abstract:
The main objective of the study was to determine factors influencing farmers’ participation in
reforestation program and to examine factors influencing extent of farmers’ participation in
tree planting areas the case of Chiro district of West Hararghe Zone Oromia National
Regional State. For this study three stage sampling procedures was applied in selection of
120 farmers and analysis was done using STATA. Heckman two stage sample selection model
was used in analyzing socioeconomic, institutional, psychological and bio-physical factors
that determine decision on participation and extent of participation. Descriptive statistics
were used to determine the relationship between independent variables and participation. The
results indicated that the model with an overall Wald chi2 was significant at p<.001% level of
significance where as Sex, age, total prior experience in different organization, perceived
autonomy and scarcity of forest resource product positively influenced participation and were
significant at 5% level of significance . Variable land size showed positively influenced
participation and was significant at 1% level of significance. The inverse mills ratio (lambda)
was also seen to be positive and significant at 10% level of significance. Therefore,
development intervention in the region in general and Chiro district in particular need to go
beyond the mere focusing on male, targeting younger households, large holder and
experienced households; increasing awareness about consequences of deforestation using
formal and informal methods and more autonomous system centered strategies that leads for
the viability of the program in sustainable manner. More efforts need to be constructing trust and
cooperation among farmers towards supporting reforestation program and small holder need to
engage on other alternatives.
