EFFECTS OF FARMLAND FRAGMENTATION ON CROP PRODUCTION OF THE SMALLHOLDER FARMERS: EVIDENCE FROM ARSI ZONE, SOUTH EAST ETHIOPIA

Ethiopia has low crop production in the agriculture of smallholder sector where farmland fragmentation is one of the major factors behind this problem. This study aimed at assessing the effects of farmland fragmentation on crop production of smallholder farmers in Arsi zone of South East Ethiopia. Data were generated by using survey questionnaire, focus group discussion, and interviews. Farmland fragmentation was measured by Simpson index and both descriptive and inferential statistics were used for data analysis. Sample sizes of 314 households were selected by using systematic random sampling technique from sampling frames. Simpson index was applied to compute farmland fragmentation. Multiple linear regressions were also employed to test how well fragmentation was able to predict crop production per hectare with relative contribution of each variable in the model. Results indicated that the study area has 3.54 average numbers of plots, 0.55 fragmentation indexes, 0.45 ha mean plot size, and 28 quintals total mean crop production per hectare. The qualitative data results also revealed that land transaction via dividing smaller plots was the major factor for land fragmentation. Multiple regression models established that land fragmentation had negative relationships with crop production per plot. Thus, the study suggested that the local government should curb the need for scarce farmlands by initiating nonfarm livelihood strategies among the farming households.