A study of wetland use in Kemise, central Illubabor, southwestern Ethiopia, shows food shortage as the main factor behind wetland cultivation in the locality. However, discriminant analysis results indicate that it is the wealthier farmers who tend to cultivate wetlands rather than the economically less fortunate ones. Household size, total holding size and ownership of wetland holdings are the leading factors discriminating between wetland cultivators and non-cultivators. The results of the study also suggest that the pent-up demand for wetland cultivation in Kemise is so large that it is an imminent threat to the sustainable use of these resources.