DETERMINANTS OF FARMERS’ PARTICIPATION IN REFORESTATION PROGRAM: THE CASE OF CHIRO DISTRICT, WEST HARARGHE ZONE, OROMIA NATIONAL REGIONAL STATE

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.