Bamboo market in Ethiopia is not well developed and bamboo marketing as a viable alternative for farmers has become a very challenging issue. In the Homosha district, despite the abundant and valuable lowland bamboo resources, the income contribution of bamboo is very low and livelihood of smallholder farmers in the area is desperate due marketing challenges. Thus, the study was initiated to identify and analyze factors influencing bamboo culm market supply as well as its opportunities and challenges. Both primary and secondary data were used in this study. The primary data were collected from 141 household heads in three villages via household survey, key informant interviews, field observation, market assessment and stakeholder consultation workshop. The data were analyzed using STATA13. It was found that family size ( in working age) and experience of culm selling were positively and significantly related to quantity of bamboo bundles supplied for sale at 5% significance level, whereas, education level, access to market information, marketing linkages and prices were positively and significantly related to quantity of bamboo bundles supplied for sale at 1% significance level. But, age of harvesters is significantly and negatively related to quantity of bamboo bundles supplied for sale at 5%. In spite of high bamboo resource in Homosha district, it is declining due natural and anthropogenic related activities. Reverse to this government and non-governmental organizations are working on rehabilitation activities in some areas of the district. Bamboo utilization is confined to household level and products are manufactured traditionally and there was a low local demand for these bamboo products. Market actor lack training and is few researches conducted on bamboo production, processing and utilization. Therefore, in addition to toughening interaction among harvesters and buyers, spreading of relevant information and establishing bamboo product market center and cooperatives, and engagement of relevant institutions to assist bamboo marketing, it is encouraged to train market actors on bamboo economic benefits and marketing as well as conduct research on production, processing, management and utilization. Key words: Bamboo bundles, determinants, harvesters, marketing linkages.

This study examines the factors influencing household participation in participatory forest management (PFM) in the Bench-Sheko Zone of Southwest Ethiopia. The study was conducted in two woredas (Gurafarda and Sheko) where PFM has been implemented. Two kebeles where PFM has been implemented were selected from each woreda. For the interview, household heads in the sampled kebeles were stratified based on the membership status into members and nonmembers of PFM. Then, a sample of 408 household heads were interviewed from the selected kebeles. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Access to forest-related extension services, marital status, benefits derived from the forest, understanding PFM goals clearly, access to market information on forest products, and the size of livestock held by household heads had a positive and significant effect on the participation of the household heads in PFM. To achieve the promise of PFM, it is critical to provide forest-related extension services on forest resource management and use that specifically promote PFM, for example, by creating awareness of the economic value and benefits of forests among household heads.

This study was conducted in the Sheyebench and South Bench districts of the Bench-Sheko zone and Masha district of the Sheka zone in southwest Ethiopia. Chega-Gawussi wetland from Sheyebench, Chonkie-Shinkie wetland from South Bench, and Lake Dembi from Masha districts were selected for the study. Respondents in the vicinity of studied wetlands were interviewed to assess the benefits of wetlands and attitudes of local communities towards the benefits and conservation practices of wetlands. This study revealed that wetlands provide a wide range of uses for local communities, such as livestock grazing, irrigation, recreation, grass and forage harvesting, water sources for livestock and domestic uses, fish harvesting, and firewood collection. The total livestock holdings of the respondents as measured and the family size are significantly and positively associated with the frequency of wetland resource harvest/utilization. The result of the study revealed that the majority of respondents agreed with the benefits offered and the importance of conservation practices of wetlands. Despite the studied wetlands offering numerous benefits to the local communities, they were under threat due to the factors of land expansion deforestation, eucalyptus plantation, silting from adjacent farmlands, and overgrazing. The results of the study show that the local community has a positive attitude towards wetland conservation, and therefore the Office for Agriculture and Natural Resources, Forestry and Environmental Protection, and Biodiversity Conservation Organizations should work collaboratively to initiate and mobilize local communities to reduce the burden on wetland over-exploitation.