Household Livelihoods and Economic Activities in the Birbo Watershed, Central Ethiopia

Baseline characterization is essential to measure project performance and impact evaluation before making many interventions to project processes. The main objective of the study was to investigate the socioeconomic characterization in the Birbo watershed. Both quantitative and qualitative data were used. Quantitative data were collected using a structured questionnaire with face-to-face interviews with households at the catchment site. One hundred twenty (120) households were selected randomly and interviewed. Major constraints and opportunities were identified by using key informant interviews and focus group discussions. The quantitative data analysis was carried out by using descriptive, inferential statistics and STATA software. Results of the study showed that the majority of the sample households (83%) were male-headed households. In the Birbo watershed mixed farming systems (crop and livestock raring) are the major (93%) occupation of the sampled households. According to the survey result, Wheat, Barley, Teff, Faba Bean, Field peas, and Potato are the major crops produced in the Birbo watershed, 91, 81, 83, 46, 30, and 19%, respectively. In terms of land degradation, the watershed is characterized by high land degradation caused by deforestation, overgrazing, continuous cultivation, and inappropriate cultivation. Low adoption of improved crops and livestock technologies is also the other problem identified in the watershed. Livestock feed shortage, no AI service, low adoption of improved forage, and low access to the cattle market were major problems in the watershed. Institution services such as training, extension advisory, field day, financial services (access to loans), and rural roads were other constraints in the watershed. Therefore, the study suggests that an integrated approach is more important and necessary for the sustainable use of watershed resources, and further development in all aspects of the watershed should be implemented. It is necessary to put appropriate rural land use policy by identifying proper land for specific purposes so that marginal and degraded lands are given urgent measures to recover and would not be put under cultivation. It is recommended to formulate strategies for sustainable management of the current study area and other areas with similar geographic settings.