The Impact of Population Pressure on Agricultural Land Use in Dirashe Special District, Segen Area People’s Zone, Southern Nations, Nationalities and People's Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Population growth and economic development are contributing many serious environmental blows such as land degradation, deforestation, habitat destruction and loss of biodiversity. The impact of population pressure on agricultural land is a major problem in developing countries, including Ethiopia. Therefore, the intention of this research was to identify the major cause and consequences of population pressure on agricultural land use in Dirashe special district, Segen area People’s Zone, Southern Nations Nationality and Peoples Region, Ethiopia. Study sites were selected using purposive sampling techniques, whereas respondents were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Data were collected through household survey and direct filed observation during September 2020. All the collected data were analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 software. The difference in land holding size between sampled households as well as population distribution were computed by Chi-Square test at P<0.05 and percentage. Results are presented in the form of table. According to the respondents’ response, high dependency on agriculture 19 (27.14%), uneven population distribution 16 (22.86%) and high population growth rate 15 (21.43%) are the three dominant factors causing population pressure on agricultural land use in the current study area. Land degradation, soil erosion, deforestation, overgrazing, improper cultivation practice, declining of crop yield and food shortage/famine are the predominate consequences of population pressure on agricultural land in the study area. So that, it is important to consistently implement food diversification program based on technology-oriented sustainable agricultural approaches to overcome such food shortages and to reduce population pressure on agricultural land in the area.