Analysis of Land use and Land Cover Change, Drivers and Impact on Agricultural Productivity in Esera Woreda, Dawro Zone, Southwest Ethiopia

Land use and land cover (LULC) change is one of the challenges which strongly influence the process of agricultural development in the study area. Change in land use can negatively affect the potential use of an area and ultimately lead to soil and vegetation degradation that have an impact for loss of agricultural productivity. Land use land cover change analysis was conducted in Esera woreda, Southwest Ethiopia between 1986 - 2014, on an area that covers 106021.26 hectares using Remote Sensing satellite image and Geographic Information System with field verifications. Hence, this study was conducted to examine land use change, its drivers and impacts in agricultural productivity in Esera woreda .In the study, land use/land cover maps of 1986, 2000 and 2014, and change maps of 1986-2000 and 2000-2014 were produced. Results from land use and land cover change analysis shown an increase in agricultural land from 33.3 % in 1986 to 63.03 % in 2014. The increase of agricultural land was mainly at the expense of forest cover change.  Forest cover decreased from 61.89 % in 1986 to 22.41 in 2014. Built up area was 3.83 % in 1986 that increased to 13.52% in 2014 and water body which was 0.96% in 1986 increased to 1.03 % in 2014. The study also found that the main  causes of land use and land cover changes were mainly, demand for agricultural land, increased demands for forest products such firewood and charcoal. Thus, it is highly recommendable for all concerned bodies to introduce modern farming system that allows farmers to get more agricultural products from small farming land plot and to use alternative fuel sources to reduce the dependence of rural community on forest products.