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In Sub-Saharan Africa, agriculture is vital for food security and economic stability, yet faces challenges like land degradation and limited adoption of modern practices. Ethiopia, heavily reliant on agriculture, struggles with soil erosion and declining fertility, particularly in regions like Benishangul Gumuz, where sustainable land management practices are underutilized. The study emphasizes the need for context-specific strategies to enhance land productivity and address the socio-economic and environmental factors influencing land management.

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4 views

30

In Sub-Saharan Africa, agriculture is vital for food security and economic stability, yet faces challenges like land degradation and limited adoption of modern practices. Ethiopia, heavily reliant on agriculture, struggles with soil erosion and declining fertility, particularly in regions like Benishangul Gumuz, where sustainable land management practices are underutilized. The study emphasizes the need for context-specific strategies to enhance land productivity and address the socio-economic and environmental factors influencing land management.

Uploaded by

muhammedseid2946
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© © All Rights Reserved
We take content rights seriously. If you suspect this is your content, claim it here.
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In Sub-Saharan Africa, where agriculture employs the majority of the population, land

management practices play a pivotal role in determining food security and economic stability.
However, the region faces significant challenges, including fragmented landholdings, traditional
farming practices, and limited adoption of modern technologies (Ayieko, 2018). These
challenges are exacerbated by land degradation, which reduces soil fertility, limits water
availability, and diminishes the overall productivity of farmlands. For instance, studies indicate
that soil fertility loss in East and West Africa can reach up to 100 kg per hectare annually,
primarily due to inadequate land management practices (UNCCD, 2022).

Ethiopia, like many other African nations, relies heavily on agriculture, which accounts for a
significant portion of its GDP and employs the majority of its workforce (World Bank, 2017).
However, the country faces persistent challenges related to land degradation, including soil
erosion, deforestation, and declining soil fertility, which threaten agricultural productivity and
food security (Woldamlak, 2018). Despite government efforts to promote sustainable agricultural
practices, the adoption of effective land management techniques remains limited, particularly
among smallholder farmers who dominate the agricultural sector.

Sustainable land management practices, such as soil and water conservation, agroforestry, and
integrated crop-livestock systems, have been identified as key strategies to address these
challenges (FAO, 2023). These practices not only enhance land productivity but also contribute
to climate resilience and ecosystem restoration. However, their successful implementation
requires context-specific approaches that consider local socio-economic conditions, cultural
practices, and environmental factors (Yilkal, 2007).

1.1. Statement of the Problem


Land is a fundamental resource for agricultural production, economic development, and
environmental sustainability. In Ethiopia, where agriculture is the backbone of the economy,
effective land management practices are critical for ensuring food security, reducing poverty, and
promoting sustainable development. However, despite the importance of land management, the
adoption of sustainable practices remains limited, particularly in regions like Benishangul
Gumuz, where agriculture is the primary livelihood for the majority of the population (FAO,
2017).
While land degradation is a significant challenge in Ethiopia, it is not the primary focus of this
study. Instead, the study centers on land management practices specifically, the strategies,
techniques, and systems used to maintain or enhance land productivity while preserving
ecological balance. Land degradation is acknowledged as a contributing factor, but the emphasis
is on understanding how land management practices can mitigate its effects and promote
sustainable agricultural development.

In the Benishangul Gumuz Region, particularly in Aburamo Woreda, land management practices
are shaped by a combination of ecological, social, and economic factors. The region's fertile soils
and favorable climate make it a key agricultural area, but unsustainable farming practices,
population pressure, and limited access to modern technologies have led to significant
challenges. These include deforestation, soil erosion, and declining soil fertility, which threaten
the long-term productivity of the land (Gizaw et al., 2021).

Despite these challenges, there have been notable efforts to promote sustainable land
management in the region. For example, community-based watershed management initiatives in
the Bambasi district have demonstrated the potential of integrated soil and water conservation
practices to rehabilitate degraded lands and improve livelihoods (Wondimagegn et al., 2022).
However, such initiatives are often localized and lack scalability, highlighting the need for a
more comprehensive understanding of the factors influencing land management practices at the
household and community levels.

While numerous studies have examined land degradation in Ethiopia, there is a significant gap in
research focusing on the institutional, social, and economic factors that influence land
management practices, particularly in the context of Benishangul Gumuz. Existing studies have
primarily focused on the extent and causes of land degradation, with limited attention to the
strategies and systems used by farmers to manage their land sustainably (Teshome & Kassa,
2020). Furthermore, there is a lack of research on how local knowledge, cultural practices, and
institutional frameworks interact to shape land management decisions.

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