Land degradation in Pishin Sun-basin, Pakistan: an analysis of socio-economic determinants and conservation measures | |
| Author | Qasim, Said |
| Call Number | AIT Diss. no.NR-11-02 |
| Subject(s) | Land degradation--Pakistan--Pishin Sub-basin--Sociological aspects Land degradation--Pakistan--Pishin Sub-basin--Economic aspects |
| Note | A dissertation submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Doctor of Philosophy in Natural Recourses Management, School of Environment, Resources and Development |
| Publisher | Asian Institute of Technology |
| Series Statement | Dissertation ; no. NR-11-02 |
| Abstract | Land degradation is a global concern, particularly in countries, where crop farming and livestock rearing is the mainstay of the rural population. Land degradation is caused not only by biophysical factors but also by underlying factors that are linked with the farmers' socio-economic characteristics. Land degradation is often triggered by socio-economic factors and therefore, it is essential to identify the socio-economic factors contributing to land degradation. Farmers are the main actors in land related issues and their knowledge and perceptions about degradation and conservation of land are valuable, especially in areas faced with scarcity of data. Therefore, a study was conducted in Pishin sub-basin of Pakistan with an aim to understand what socio-economic factors drives land degradation and what kind of conservation measures are practiced, if there are any in this ecologically fragile landscape of Pakistan. Since the research was conducted through household survey, data were collected from 200 farm households from three districts namely Pishin, Killa Abdullah and Quetta in Pishin sub-basin, using proportionate and random sampling technique. Farmer's socio-economic characteristics such as family size, educational and occupational information, land tenureship, land use, crop production, cropping pattern, livestock production, sources of earning, expenditures, extension and credit services were analyzed through simple statistics such as frequencies, percentages and p1iority indices. All the farm households surveyed were fully aware about land degradation problems. 55% farmers perceived that land degradation exist in their area. Farmers also perceived that land degradation was more severe on rangelands as compared to farmlands. To identify the socio-economic determinants of land degradation, 13 variables were hypothesized to affect land degradation. The logistic regression model predicted seven out of thirteen socioeconomic determinates of land degradation, and the variables were family size, educated male family members, extension agents' frequency of visits, security of tenure, access to credit, cropping pattern and livestock population. Regarding the use of conservation measures, majority (76.9%) of the households were using agronomic measures, such as such as manures and composts. 17. 7% of the households were using structural measures, such as construction of ten-aces and water harvesting structures. The remaining of the households (2.7%) had adopted vegetative measures, such as windbreaks. The use of management measures for grazing lands like fencing and/or rotati0nal grazing were totally lacking in the area. The findings of this study led to specific recommendations for combating the problems of land degradation and suggested policy measures to reduce pressure on land resources in the area, such as provision of alternative income sources to the agriculture dependent rural population. The extension agents need to raise farmer's awareness on the use of improved conservation measures. Although the farmers were fully aware about the problems of land degradation and some indigenous conservation methods, provision of trainings on sustainable land management will further enhance their capabilities of controlling land degradation. Mechanism for providing credits to the farmers should be developed. ·Initiatives for rangeland management, using fencing,- eontrolled grazing and cultivation of shrubs to increase the feed sources for livestock can be helpful for controlling overgrazing and reducing land degradation. |
| Year | 2011 |
| Corresponding Series Added Entry | Asian Institute of Technology. Dissertation ; no. NR-11-02 |
| Type | Dissertation |
| School | School of Environment, Resources, and Development (SERD) |
| Department | Department of Development and Sustainability (DDS) |
| Academic Program/FoS | Natural Resources Management (NRM) |
| Chairperson(s) | Shrestha, Rajendra Prasad; |
| Examination Committee(s) | Shivakoti, Ganesh Prasad ;Tripathi, Nitin Kumar ;Bajracharya, Roshan Man; |
| Scholarship Donor(s) | University of Balochistan Quetta, Pakistan - AIT Fellowship ; |
| Degree | Thesis (Ph.D.) - Asian Institute of Technology, 2011 |