Abstract:
The aim of this study is to assess factors that affect the watershed development and the
Impact of Watershed Development on livelihood of rural farm households in Burie Zuria
District, and to draw possible conclusions and provide policy suggestions. The source of
data which is used in the study comes from primary and secondary data. The study used
multi-stage sampling procedure to select sample households to distribute survey questioners
for analysis. Using systematic random sampling, 147 Households (program users) and 175
program non-users are selected randomly from 1651sample households in six sample kebeles
of Burie Zuria District from identified six micro-watersheds. Sample household-based
interview and key informants’ interviews were used in order to collect the data. In the study,
demographic characteristics, social services, negative and positive relations of different
variables were assessed.
The study was applied both qualitative and quantitative data. The researcher was uses
STATA Version15 for the purpose of estimating demographic and expected outcome results
extensively for the analysis of the data collected. The determinant factors that affect the
watershed development are estimated based on the watershed development indicators and
different household participation parameters using Heckman two stage and logistic
regression models. And the impact of watershed development on livelihood of rural farm
households is evaluated by comparing the watershed participant and non-participant
households. Hence, this study applies a propensity score matching technique, which is
appropriate when cross-sectional data are used and also revealed by using Heckman two
stage regression model. The result revealed that, Watershed development program in the
study area has brought positive impact on livelihood diversification and annual household
income score for program user.