FACTORS AFFECTING LOCAL FARMERS ADOPTION OF EUCALYPTUS WOODLOT IN JAMMA DISTRICT, SOUTH WOLLO ZONE, AMHARA REGIONAL STATE OF ETHIOPIA

Eucalyptus is one of the most widely planted exotic tree species grown in Ethiopia. The spices have been planted as a woodlot by local farmers and became one of the most economically important tree plants. The main objective of the study was to identify factors that determine the local farmers’ decision making of eucalyptus woodlot production in Jamma District, Ethiopia. The survey was carried out on 150 local farmers who were selected through systematic random sampling. The collected raw data were analyzed through descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression analysis. The result of the study shows that landholding size, Farmers' education level; the age of the farmers were positive significantly affecting the adoption of eucalyptus woodlot. On the other hand fertility of land, family size and distance from the market was affecting the farmer's adoption of Eucalyptus woodlot production negatively. To protect the forest from deforestation and increase the income of households, it recommends that policymakers should work with stakeholders to create an enabling policy environment to support Eucalyptus production in Ethiopia. KEYWORDS: Adoption, Eucalyptus Tree, Farmers, Plantation, Woodlot, Ethiopia.