Assessment of the Effectiveness of Tree Plantation Using Participatory Monitoring, Evaluation and Learning in Walmera District Oromia, Ethiopia

Abstract

The main focus of this study was to the assessment of the effectiveness of tree plantation project in Walmera district using Participatory Monitoring Evaluation and Learning. The samples were taken from two administrative kebeles. The sample size of the study was 180 co m m u n i t y r ep res en t a t i ve households, of which 8 5 were from Telecho Kebele and 9 5 were from Ilala Gojo kebele; and 52 government staffs and 13 non-government staffs were involved. The sampled respondents were interviewed by using structured interview. Group discussion was also undertaken with selected farmers, development agents and government line department officers to gather the qualitative data in the selected kebeles administration. Questionnaires were coded by respondents’ category to facilitate analysis of questions on which respondents were required to specify their opinions and to facilitate analysis of the open-ended question from the questionnaires. Major themes were identified and analyzed thematically in line with research questions and summarized for use in descriptive analysis. In project locations where the field survey was conducted, finding indicates that the communities are not satisfied about provision of tree plantation development project. Research results clearly showed that as the capacities of communities were not built in terms of social-economic as well as environmental protection of initiating, implementing and managing. The overall findings of the study underlined that tree plantation in the study area was not as effective as expected by all stakeholders. Community participation on tree plantation is not even for all community segments. The whole process, particularly on participatory monitoring, evaluation and learning the project is expected to move extra miles, which directly affects the impact of the project. Involvement of different stakeholders is crucial to strengthen existing result and in the formation of new afforestation schemes