Abstract:
This study examined the impacts of deforestation on the livelihoods of smallholder farmers in
Meta-Walkite, Ethiopia. Deforestation was found to have significantly affected rural households,
leading to reduced land productivity, increased dependence on natural resources, and heightened
vulnerability to climate change. Limited adaptation options further hindered their ability to cope
with these challenges. The study used both primary and secondary data. The sample was selected
from the sample frame using systematic random sampling. A total of 342 household heads from
four kebeles of Meta-Walkite District were sampled, and questionnaires were administered. In
addition, 7 key informant interviews and 18 focus group discussions were conducted. A
multinomial logistic regression model was employed to analyze the major factors influencing the
households’ livelihoods. Results showed that age of household head, land size, market distance,
access to agricultural extension services, access to credit, and cooperative membership all had
statistically significant effects (p < 0.05) on household livelihoods. From the key informant
interviews and focus group discussions, deforestation was found to be highly affecting the
livelihood of small farmers in the study area. Therefore, the study recommends mitigating
deforestation, improving access to credit services, ensuring availability of agricultural extension
services, and promoting reforestation to overcome its impacts on the livelihoods of small farmers
in the area.
