Abstract
Eucalyptus is one of the non-native species grown in Ethiopia. In the study area eucalyptus tree is expanding and
the species specific adoption decision analysis is needed. The main objective of the study was to identify
determinants of the farmers Decision making for Plant Eucalyptus Trees in Market District, North Willow,
Ethiopia. Multistage sampling techniques were employed. A total of 192 household head was surveyed that were
selected through systematic random sampling. For the data collection, qualitative (focus group discussion and
key informant interviews) and quantitative approach (household survey though questionnaires) were
instrumental. Data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, correlation and binary logit regression analysis.
The paper concludes that farm size, loan and credit facility; per capita income, age of the farmers, land
ownership of the farmers, availability of non-agricultural land was positive significantly affecting the farmer’s
adoption decisions. The dependency ratio and risk perception of farmers determine negatively. Proper site
selection, land use planning and approval of land ownership of the farmers, substitution and enhancement of
other means of income and material sources also forward as a recommendation
- INTRODUCTION
Tree plantations provide the benefits and purposes that are gathered from the natural forests (Ashraf et al., 2014).
In the tropics over 10 million ha of eucalyptus plantations at the close of 1990 (FAO, 1993). Ethiopia has the
greatest area of eucalyptus plantations in the east Africa and it is one of the 10 pioneer countries that stuck in the
eucalyptus. At the moment, Ethiopia has the largest area of eucalyptus plantations (more than 0.5 million ha)
(Amare Getahun, 2010). Meket woreda is one of the rural woreda which is found in the Amhara state, Ethiopia.
In the study area, in that location is a wonderful enlargement of the eucalyptus trees. But, the distribution of
eucalyptus trees in the study area is also uneven among the smallholder farmers (adopters and non-adopters) and
their determination is likewise struck by the different agents. In general, farmers decision making in tree planting
are influenced by socioeconomic characteristics of the farmers, institutional and policy characteristics,
biophysical factors, resource endowment and psychological factors.
The wide range of theoretical paradigm of factors influencing householders’ planting of trees and
adoption of agroforestry1 has been conducted. However, the analysis are not species specific and it is difficult to
infer results of tree planting or agroforestry adoption decisions for specific species like eucalyptus tree. Because,
an agroforestry systems and different tree woodlots have their basic features and purpose. For instance,
Agroforestry has multiple shared outputs and numerous economic characters and tree planting have different
purpose like to enhance the productivity of other food crops, fruits for the family, Supply of fuel and other forest
product. But, exotic species like Eucalyptus are not founded to enhance the productivity of food crops, edible
fruit to the household, or to supply fodder for livestock.
Referable to the above different characterizations, it is vital and better to undergo species-specific.
Therefore, how the socioeconomic characteristic, resource endowment, institutional characteristics and
physiological factors affect the farmer’s decision to plant or not to plant eucalyptus is still unclear. Thus, this
study aims to analyze factors affecting the farmer’s decision to plant or not to plant eucalyptus trees. The major
objective of this study was to identify the determinants of farmer’s decision making on planting eucalyptus trees
in Meket District, North Wello, and Ethiopia. - CONCEPTUAL FRAMEWORK
The conceptual framework of the study focused on linking between the interaction of farmer’s socioeconomic
characteristics, personal-demographic situation, resource endowments, institutional and policy framework,
Psychological factor, other supportive factors and their implication in the decision-making process of farmers
