Nature and causes of land degradation in the Oromiya Region: A review

Socio-economics and Policy Research Working Paper 36

Bezuayehu Tefera, Gezahegn Ayele, Yigezu Atnafe, M.A. Jabbar and Paulos Dubale

International Livestock Research Institute
P.O. Box 30709, Nairobi, Kenya

Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization
P.O. Box 2003, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Oromiya Natural Resources Development and Environmental Protection Authority
P.O. Box 8770, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

Working Papers Editorial Committee

Mohammad A. Jabbar (Editor)
Simeon K. Ehui
Steven J. Staal

LPAP working papers contain results of research done by ILRI scientists, consultants and collaborators. The author(s) alone is (are) responsible for the contents.

Authors' affiliations

Bezuayehu Tefera, Oromiya Natural Resources Development and Environmental Protection Authority, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Gezahegn Ayele, Ethiopian Agricultural Research Organization (EARO), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Yigezu Atnafe, International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Mohammad A. Jabbar, ILRI, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
Paulos Dubale, EARO, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia

© 2002 ILRI (International Livestock Research Institute)
All rights reserved. Parts of this document may be reproduced without express permisssion for non-commercial use but with acknowledgment to ILRI.

ISBN 92–9146–103–9

Correct Citation: Bezuayehu Tefera, Gezahegn Ayele, Yigezu Atnafe, Jabbar M.A. and Paulos Dubale. 2002. Nature and causes of land degradation in the Oromiya Region: A review. Socio-economics and Policy Research Working Paper 36. ILRI (International Livestock Research Institute), Nairobi, Kenya. 82 pp.

Table of Contents

Acknowledgements

Summary and conclusions

1 Introduction

2 A conceptual framework

3 The resource base and production systems

3.1 Physical and climatic features

3.2 Physiography, soils, land and water resources

3.3 Economy and production systems

4 Land degradation: Form, extent and related factors

4.1 Soil erosion as a form of land degradation

4.1.1 Topography affecting erosion

4.1.2 Rainfall and wind affecting erosion

4.1.3 Soil properties affecting erosion

4.1.4 Vegetation and land cover affecting erosion

4.1.5 Land use and management affecting erosion

4.2 Biological degradation of soil

4.3 Chemical degradation (nutrient depletion) of soil

4.4 Physical degradation of soil

5 Bio-physical impacts of land degradation

6 Institutional and policy factors influencing land management and land degradation

6.1 General government policies and programmes on agriculture

6.2 Land tenure

6.2.1 Land tenure during feudal era

6.2.2 Post-feudal land tenure

6.3 Agricultural research and extension policy

6.4 Agricultural credit and fertiliser distribution

6.5 Agricultural conservation policies and programmes

6.6 Infrastructure development

6.7 Farmers' organisations, perceptions and participation

7 Responses to land degradation and pathways of development: Some hypotheses

References