Factors affecting farmers’ decision to participate in Campaign-Based Watershed Management program in Boset District, Ethiopia

The sustainability of the ongoing national Campaign-Based Watershed Management (CBWM) program of Ethiopia depends on active participation of farmers in the planning and implementation activities. This study analyzes farmers’ participation level in CBWM program and factors that determine their participation, using mixed research methods. Key informant interviews were conducted with 29 purposively selected actors (excluding farmers) to discern their decision-making processes and to gain insight into the factors influencing farmers' participation in the program. Additionally, individual case studies were conducted with 15 farmers to explore their personal experiences. Furthermore, a household survey was administered to 351 households to explain key factors shaping their decisions to participate in the program. Our study shows that the farmers’ level of participation in the CBWM program was quite low (53.0%). Compared to the implementation and post-implementation stages, the level of participation was lowest at the planning stage of the program. Three key factors influenced the farmers’ level of participation in the program: location or proximity of farmers to the micro-watersheds during campaign works, the commitment of local leaders, and awareness and motivation of farmers. This suggests the need to (1) focus on smaller watersheds to minimize the effect of distance between farmers’ homesteads and the micro-watersheds, (2) include local livelihood opportunities to mitigate the impact of location or out-migration and ensure their availability for campaign works, (3) enhance the performance/commitment of local leaders, (4) improve farmers’ awareness and motivation through capacity building. However, given that the effect of these factors varies across the studied villages and stages of the program, a more bottom-up planning approach that considers socio-economic and biophysical contexts should be introduced in the study area and other similar localities where watershed management activities are carried out through community participation.