Adoption of agroforestry, which is a combination of growing perennial trees along with crops and/or livestock in spatial and temporal arrangements, is recommended for improving the livelihoods of smallholders. Alike several other technologies, the adoption status of agroforestry innovations in sub-Saharan Africa is considered poor. Studies have shown that plethora of biophysical and socioeconomic variables affect adoption of agroforestry innovations. In these studies, the contribution of psychological variables determining the voluntary decision-making on agroforestry adoption decisions is often neglected and marginally explored. This paper aims at exploring the role of psychological variables for the sustained agroforestry adoption intention. We employed the Theory of Planned Behavior (TPB) to predict sustained agroforestry adoption intentions of 327 farmers in the Amhara region of Ethiopia. Intention for sustained agroforestry woodlots adoption is assessed by employing the confirmatory factor analysis. Farmers’ intention to sustain adoption of agroforestry woodlot innovations is principally driven by their positive evaluation of the cash and livelihood benefits of the innovations (attitude) compared to traditional farming, their own capability to produce the innovations and accessibility of resources (perceived behavioral control), and the farmers’ perception of pressure and expectations from experts and important others (subjective norms). By employing TPB, this study brings a theoretical contribution to the TPB framework and measurement guidelines, unveils limitations of applying confirmatory factor analysis in a ‘new’ (woodlots) context and suggests data-based policy and development implications.

Sustainable management of communal grazing lands in Ethiopia is crucial to sustain livestock productivity and reduce land degradation. This study was conducted in Dera district, Ethiopia, to assess local communities’ perceptions of the degradation and their attitudes on the management of communal grazing lands. Household surveys, group discussions, and the contingent valuation method were used to gather data. Results indicated that local communities are aware of the degradation and are willing to participate in the management of communal grazing lands by contributing labor and cash. Labor contribution is positively and significantly correlated to total livestock units (TLU) and credit, and negatively correlated with household size and extension service. Significant correlation between the willingness to contribute cash and TLU was also detected. Community participation and discussions, demarcation of boundaries, equity in benefit sharing, and engaging both formal and informal institutions are crucial to sustain and enhance the effectiveness of grazing land management.

The rural population of Ethiopia entirely depends on biomass for everyday energy needs except for light. The traditional system, particularly during cooking, incurs among others huge energy loss that could have been used otherwise. The system has been recognized as having significant effect on natural resource degradation, harmful health hazards and negative economic consequences. As a result, the government has been encouraging the use of energy saving technologies. Mirt and Gonze stoves are the two most dominantly promoted technologies. Promotion and efficiency evaluations were conducted. The result of the evaluation confirmed that households that use Mirt and Gonze stoves can save more than 33% and 20% of wood biomass that could have been used if traditional open stove was used, respectively. The time efficiency, length of time the stoves gave energy to bake additional Injera for Mirt and Gonze was increased by 63% and 50%, respectively. Thus, Mirt and stoves are efficient than the traditional open stoves. Due to durability, farmers preferred Mirt stove over Gonze. Utilization of Mirt stove can save 15% of wood biomass over Gonze. Promotion of Mirt stove in rural Ethiopia is vital to enhance biomass energy efficiency.