Adoption of community-based land rehabilitation programs (CBLRP) and its effect on livelihoods in Offa district, southern Ethiopia

Land erosion is a major issue in Ethiopia and has a significant impact on agriculture and subsistence. Community-based land restoration projects are essential to address this issue. This study aimed to evaluate the implementation of a community-based land restoration plan and its impact on livelihoods in the Offa District of southern Ethiopia. Four Kebeles were randomly selected for the study and 133 household heads (52 program participants and 81 non-participants) were selected using a simple random sampling method. Information was gathered using an interview schedule, focus-group discussions, and key informant interviews. Data were analyzed using a binary logistic regression model, propensity score matching, participation index (PI), t-test, and chi-square test. The results showed that the implemented land rehabilitation measures had higher crop production and farm income for most adopter households compared to their counterparts. The logistic regression model revealed that the slope of farmland, gender of household heads, family size, perception of rehabilitation, access to training, and farm experience positively influenced household participation in the community-based land restoration programme (CBLRP) in the study area. However, the age of the respondents, access to education, size of farmland, frequency of extension contact, and ownership of livestock negatively influenced household participation. Propensity score matching revealed that CBLRP resulted in higher crop output and farm revenue for most participating families than for their peers. Based on these findings, it is recommended that agricultural and rural development offices, non-governmental organizations, and other stakeholders consider the factors that influence household participation in rehabilitation programs in the study area to effectively address the issue of household participation at various levels of rehabilitation programs.