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Impact of community-based exclosure to smallholder farmers’ livelihood and their willingness to pay: empirical evidences from Tigrai, Ethiopia

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Abstract

This study was designed to analyze the socioeconomic contribution of Exclosures to smallholder farmers. Many studies have been conducted on the biophysical impact of the Exclosures in restoring the degraded ecosystem. However, limited evidence is available about the perception of the community and the socioeconomic contribution of the Exclosures. Data were collected from primary and secondary sources. Household survey and focus group discussion tools were employed. The descriptive and qualitative results revealed that Exclosures have a positive effect in improving animal feed, mitigating microclimate of the community, and enhancing crop production and productivity of the community through increased water discharge and decreased soil erosion. Furthermore, it provides farm equipment and fuel wood. Thus, the majority (86 percent) were willing to pay to further expand the size of the Exclosures. Results of the ordered logit model showed that educational level of household heads, plot size, marital status, and distance traveled to the exclosure were affecting households’ willingness to pay. The involvement of the community in resource use and distribution was evaluated and found that there was inequitable distribution of resources among individuals in the community. Finally, it can be recommended that involving the community in decision making and ensuring an equitable share of the Exclosures’ resources among the communities must be considered for sustainable Exclosure management.

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Notes

  1. “Tabia” is a local administrative unit smaller than district.

  2. Households whose residence is within three kilometer radius were considered as adjacent to the Exclosure.

  3. 1 Ethiopian Birr(ETB) is Equivalent to 0.02356 USD.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Agricultural and Resource Economics, Mekelle University, P.o.Box:231, Mekelle, Ethiopia

    Gidey Kidu Mezgebo, Teklay Negash Gebrezgiabher, Metkel Aregay Gebreyesus, Leake Gebreslassie Weldegiwergis & Haileslasie Gebrezgiabher Hailu

  2. Department of Rural Development and Agricultural Extension, Mekelle University, Mekelle, Ethiopia

    Kidane Tesfay Gebrezgiabher

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  1. Gidey Kidu Mezgebo
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Mezgebo, G.K., Gebrezgiabher, T.N., Gebreyesus, M.A. et al. Impact of community-based exclosure to smallholder farmers’ livelihood and their willingness to pay: empirical evidences from Tigrai, Ethiopia. Environ Dev Sustain 24, 2598–2615 (2022). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10668-021-01547-1

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