EFFECTIVENESS AND CHALLENGES OF PARTICIPATORY FOREST MANAGEMENT PRACTICES AND THEIR CONTRIBUTIONS FOR LOCAL COMMUNITY'S LIVELIHOODS IN THE CASE OF ADABA DISTRICT, WEST ARSI ZONE, ETHIOPIA

ABSTRACT This study assessed the effectiveness, challenges, and contributions of participatory forest management (PFM) in improving local livelihoods in Adaba District, West Arsi Zone, Ethiopia. The research, conducted in three kebeles, Bucha-Raya, Baseta-Bubisa, and EjersaChumulugo compared PFM and Non_PFM households. A sample of 376 households (188 PFM and 188 Non_PFM) was selected using a multistage sampling technique, and data were collected through structured questionnaires, interviews, and focus group discussions, analyzed using Microsoft Excel 2013 and SPSS version 20.The findings revealed significant demographic and socioeconomic differences between PFM and Non_PFM households. PFM participants were predominantly male (64.9%) and younger, while Non_PFM households were mostly female (60.6%) and older. PFM members significantly value community participation, secure land tenure, access to resources, and training for sustainable forest management, with 94 (50%) strongly agreeing that participation is critical, compared to 22 (12%) of Non_PFM members (p < 0.001). They also recognize the importance of land tenure security, with 80 (43%) strongly agreeing that it is essential for sustainability, while only 51 (27%) of Non_PFM members agreed (p < 0.001), and similarly, 85 (45%) of PFM members emphasized the need for training and capacity building (p < 0.001). Regarding socioeconomic impacts, 75 (40%) of PFM members strongly agreed that PFM practices improved their status, and 85 (45%) noted the significant contribution of income from PFM activities to their livelihoods (p < 0.001). PFM members also highlighted the effectiveness of governance structures, cultural traditions in conservation, and the importance of conflict resolution and stakeholder involvement, with stronger agreement seen in PFM members compared to Non_PFM members (p < 0.001). Statistical analyses confirmed these results, showing significant relationships for community participation (B = 0.309, p = 0.012), resource access and tenure security (B = 0.639, p = 0.003), and institutional governance (B = 0.803, p = 0.006). ANOVA results indicated higher effectiveness (F = 15.234, p = 0.00) and greater contributions to forest management (F = 20.543, p = 0.00) among PFM members. Furthermore, PFM frameworks demonstrated higher explanatory power (R² = 0.744) than Non_PFM frameworks (R² = 0.423). These findings highlight the transformative role of PFM in promoting community participation, governance, and socioeconomic outcomes while emphasizing the need for inclusive strategies to address challenges faced by Non_PFM households 1