Determinants of Smallholder Farmers’ Dependency on Forest Products: the case of PFM at Kaffa Zone, Southwest Ethiopia

Forest are one of the most essential types of resources for the existence of life which regulates environmental and ecological system, provides environmental services and economically valuable products. Significant percentage of world population relied on forests resources for subsistence, livelihoods, employment and income generation. The objective of this study was to identify and examine factors determining level of households’ dependency on forest product income. It is conducted in Gawata and Tello districts of Kaffa zone southwest Ethiopia. Data was collected by household survey, key informant interview and focus group discussion. Multistage sampling method was employed to select sample households. Sample household collect wood from the forest for fire, construction, furniture production, as well as fiber, spices, ferns, stimulants, honey, wild Rhamnus prinoides for home consumption and income generation . They generate a mean income of 12,511.32Ethiopian Birr (ETB) from forest products collection and member of Participatory forest management (PFM) generate 13,263.43ETB more income than  non-member households. The dependency level of sample households on forest products’ income was 25.87% of total annual income. Land size of household, PFM membership of household, availability of forest land and year of residence in the area positively and significantly affect level of household dependency on forest product income. Promoting forest plantation on own land and engaging households on alternative income sources minimize the dependency level of households on PFM forest