|
Addis Ababa University Libraries Electronic Thesis and Dissertations: AAU-ETD! >
Institute of Regional and Local Development >
Thesis - Regional and Local Development >
Please use this identifier to cite or link to this item:
http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/874
|
| Title: | ADOPTION OF PHYSICAL SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION STRUCTURES IN ANNA WATERSHED, HADIYA ZONE, ETHIOPIA |
| Authors: | Ertiro, Habtamu |
| Advisors: | Dr Woldeamlak Bewket |
| Copyright: | 2006 |
| Date Added: | 22-Apr-2008 |
| Publisher: | Addis Ababa University |
| Abstract: | The objectives of this study were to describe soil conservation measures introduced to
the area and to investigate how farmers have adopted introduced conservation
measures. It also aimed to assess factors that affect farmers’ adoption. The data for
the study came mainly from farmers in the study catchment. It was analyzed using two
methods: descriptive and regression methods.
Soil conservation measures introduced to the area can be grouped into three
depending on the land use type in which they are installed. The first; soil
conservation measures on cultivated fields, these are the most dominant ones. They
include, soil bunds and fanya juu. The second; soil conservation measures on
degraded hillsides, they include area closure, hillside terrace, micro-basins and
plantations. The third; soil conservation measures to rehabilitate gullies, they
include Brash wood check-dams and Rock fill/ loose rock check-dams.
Farmers responded to soil conservation measures introduced on cultivation fields
differently. From 110 respondents, 53% removed conservation structures completely,
20% removed selectively and the remaining 21% of the interviewee retained these
structures in their original state.
It was found that farmers’ decision to remove completely, to remove selectively or
retain in the original state is influenced by different factors. Farmers that perceive
the problem of soil erosion better, plan to continue in the farming, and try new
technologies are more likely to retain conservation structures. Likewise, farmers that
cultivate their own lands, attended soil conservation trainings and those perceived
traditional conservation measures to be less effective in retaining soil erosion
compared to the introduced soil conservation technologies are more likely to make
decision to retain conservation structures installed on their farmland. On the
contrary, farmers that are old, having large farmland, plowing black soil and
involved in off-farm activities are less likely to retain conservation structures.
Different measures need to be undertaken to address the problem of low level of
adoption of conservation structures. Appropriate conservation measures need to be
found out instead of heavy reliance on the physical conservation measures especially
on cultivation fields. Farmers also need to be made aware of the economic
significance of soil erosion on the cultivated fields better. Farmers that lack required
labor need to be provided with supports that enable them to retain conservation
structures. Farmers that try new technologies by themselves on their own land also
need to be targeted.
Farmers need to be provided with trainings on impact of soil erosion and available
conservation measures. Information on ineffectiveness of traditional conservation
measures has to be disseminated among farmers. Furthermore, farmers have to be
made remain on the agricultural sector, by making the sector more productive, and
cultivate their own land. |
| Description: | A THESIS SUBMITTED TO THE SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES OF ADDIS ABABA UNIVERSITY IN PARTIAL FULFILLMENT OF THE REQUIREMENTS FOR THE DEGREE OF MASTERS OF ARTS IN REGIONAL AND LOCAL DEVELOPMENT STUDIES |
| URI: | http://hdl.handle.net/123456789/874 |
| Appears in: | Thesis - Regional and Local Development
|
Items in the AAUL Digital Library are protected by copyright, with all rights reserved, unless otherwise indicated.
|
