Geography and Environmental Studies

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Assessing Integration Indigenous Practices with Modern Technologies for Sustainable Land Management; the Case of Soil Conservation and Fertility Improvement in Debremitimak Kebele, East Gojjam
(Addis Ababa University, 2014-09) Admasie, Adimew; Abegaz, Assefa (PhD)
The population of Debremitmak kebelele performs traditional subsistence agriculture. But, agricultural practice has been affected by land degradation mainly through soil erosion and soil fertility decline. In this rural kebele the problem has become more severe since recent times. It is being aggravated by the nature of the slope and population pressure. Factors of the problems are manmade and natural which are interrelated. The magnitude of the problem is also severe. To solve the problem farmers of the study area have been practicing their own practices but fertility of the soil is declining. So the study had attempted to assess the widely implemented land management practices. So that the study had focused on the integration of indigenous and modern land management practices of the study area to solve the problem of land degradation. To address the objective qualitative research method had largely employed sublimated by quantitative figures to describe proportions in percentages. To achieve this into effect 99 samples households were selected by using random cluster sampling from a total of 1080 households in the study kebele. From these 56 were non model male farmers, 22 were female farmers and 21 model male farmers. Primary and secondary data collection methods have been used among the primary data collection methods focus group discussion, interview, observation, and questioner has been used. From secondary sources different documents have been also used. The indigenous land management practices of the study area include traditional ditches, terrace, check dams, traditional cut-off drains; On the other hand modern land management practices were introduced to farmers by experts and development agents. The modern land management measures include modern cut –off drains, micro basin and forestation of indigenous plant, artificial fertilizers and compost. Even though these are applied the problem of land degradation has severely continued. As a result, its productivity is declining and people of the study area are not securing their food demand. The level of integration among indigenous and modern soil conservation practices is low in most villages of the study area. Factors that affect the integration of indigenous and modern measures include land fragmentation, decrease of cattle, limitations of modern land management measures and economic factors
Assessment of Farmers‘ Perception on the Status , Classification and Management Practices of Soil Fertility in Comparison to Scientific Practices: in the case of Ada‘a district, central highlands of Ethiopia
(Addis Ababa University, 2017-06) Kindihun, Amelework; Abegaz, Assefa (PhD)
A field study was conducted in Kumbursa village, Ada’a district, Central highland of Ethiopia to assess farmer’s perception of the status of soil fertility and the accompined management practices and then to compare the result with scientific criteria used by researchers.To address this issue, three farm wealth groups (rich, medium and poor) were distinguished based on farm size, number of oxen and grain stocks through stratified random sampling method. From a total of 277 households 83 Households were interviewed using structured questionnaire to gain insight into soil fertility management practices, local methods used to assess the fertility status of a field, and perceived trends in soil fertility. Farmers were asked to identify their most fertile, moderately fertile and infertile fields. Characteristics of the fields in terms of the indicators that were mentioned by the farmers in the interviews are recorded. The SPSS software has been used for data analysis. This study indicates that Farmer's local knowledge of soil fertilitystatus were based on observable plant and soil related characteristics namely; soil colour, soil texture, soil depth, crop productivity, soil water holding capacity, stoniness and difficulty to work. 30 soil samples were taken at a depth of 0-15 cm and15-30cm to characterize the fertility status of each soil types classified by farmers as fertile, moderately fertile and infertile. The soil sample analyses results indicated that the soil types perceived as fertile by farmers are in a favorable ranges of pH and clayey in texture with medium organic matter, medium organic carbon, medium total nitrogen and High available phosphorus,potassium and medium Sodium content and have good bulk densities than soils classified as moderately fertile and infertile. The overall result shows that there is good agreement between the soil physical and chemical analysis and farmers’ assessment of soil fertility status.Therefore, the study shows the importance of recognizing farmer’s knowledge and perception about assessment of soil fertility status to design more appropriate research and to facilitate clear communication with farmers. So inorder to design more appropriate research and to facilitate communication with farmers, researchers need to understand farmers’ perceptions and assessments of soil fertility status. Keywords: soil fertility, farmers’perceptions, indicators, soil color and texture
Assessment of the Practices and Aspects of Farmland Management in Gozamen Woreda, East Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia
(Addis Abeba University, 2011-06) Dejenie, Tadesse; Abegaz, Assefa (PhD)
Farmland is so matchless precious natural resource which is vital for gainful agricultural production that calls for improved and efficient management practices. Thus, in order to utilize it in a sustainable manner, numerous management practices can be involved at a given farmland. The intention can be to control soil erosion, insects and weeds and /or to maintain its fertility which is vital to maximize productivity. There are various time-honored indigenous farmland management practices in Gozamen Woreda (District) which serve as a base to carry out improved land management systems. There are some newly introduced methods in practice as well. Nevertheless, the Woreda is still characterized by poor farmland management practices. Accordingly, this research was aimed to assess the practical indigenous and modern farmland management practices and aspects, to examine positive and negative impacts of each of the land management practices in terms of agricultural productivity and environmental protection and to assess the major determining factors of adoption and implementation of improved farmland management practices in the study area with special reference to two sample Kebeles (Chertekel and May Angetam). Through employing questionnaires, key informant interviews, field observation and case studies, it was found that although different introduced farmland management methods are put in practice in Gozamen, traditional management practices take the dominant share with respect to their intensive implementation, and some of environmentally adapted and less costly indigenous management methods have not gotten attention. Organic fertilizers help to maintain long run soil fertility with less cost on farmlands and the surrounding environment, but require long processes. On the contrary, inorganic fertilizers help to achieve crop productivity within a short period of time but maintain short term soil fertility (usually for a single cropping season). Likewise, insecticides and pesticides have tremendous impacts on the environment and health of animals, plants and human beings. Age, sex, number of labor forces, number of livestock, number of farm plots, contact with DAs and farmers’ participation on community forums and panel discussions with regard to farmland management are the main determinants of the adoption and implementation of improved farmland management practices. Government policies, sources of fuel energy, problem of properly integrating indigenous and introduced management practices, absence of other alternative engagements, animal feeding systems, grazing and plowing systems and farmers’ reluctance for carrying responsibility are the other constraining factorsS
Climate Change impact on Food Security and Farmers Coping Mechanisms: in Ginir Woreda, Bale Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia
(Addis Ababa University, 2014-10) Megersa, Gizaw; Abegaz, Assefa (PhD)
This study examined climate change impact on food security and farmers coping mechanisms in Ginir woreda, Bale zone, Oromia Region. The study aimed at assessing the climate change condition and its impact on framers food security. It assessed perception of local people on climate change, impact of climate change on food security, and farmers coping mechanisms and adaptation strategies. The study utilized semi-structured questioner, key informant interviews, focus group discussions and discussion with government officials in collecting primary data and secondary data collected from published and unpublished sources, and qualitative and quantitative studies were employed in data analysis. The study results showed that temperature and rainfall have shown change trend. As the analyzed 31 years (1982-2012) meteorological data indicated, in the area, rainfall was declining with 3.72 mm while maximum and minimum temperatures were increasing by 0.043°C and0.001°C respectively. Farmers and government officials in the area also agreed with the meteorological data result. All FGDs and 98% of the interviewed farmers recognized as climate change already occurred in the area. About 95% and 100% of the interviewed farmers respectively thought that temperature and rainfall were changing in the area comparing with that of 10-20 years ago. The study showed that climate change affect food security condition of the area through affecting crop production and livestock rearing. 100%, 50% and 20% of the respondents respectively reported that climate change resulted in declined in food production, increased in food item prices and decreased in food item availability in a market. In respond to climate change impacts, different coping mechanisms and adaptation strategies have been utilized. 36%, 11% ,5% and other 5% of the respondents respectively reported that they have been using drought resistant crops, early cropping/planting, livestock migration, casual labor and petty trade as their coping mechanisms and other 42% reported as they have been using combination of two or more mechanisms in respond to climate change impacts. Diversify income source, use improved agricultural input, sale livestock, temporarily migrate to other areas for casual labor or in getting assistance and use irrigation were major adaptation strategies employed by farmers. In study, various analyses indicated that the area is severally impacted by climate change and the climate change is negatively affecting the food security of the community. Thus, the study suggests, improving agricultural production and productivity, enhancing irrigation agriculture and promoting establishment of market networking to minimize climate change impact on food security
The Contribution of Soil and Water Conservation Practices towards Sustainable Rural Livelihoods in Tigray Region, Northern Ethiopia
(Addis Ababa University, 2015-12) Gidey, Abebe; Abegaz, Assefa (PhD)
Severe land degradation affects the livelihood of many farmers in the Ethiopian highlands. In response, the current government has invested in soil and water conservation practices, mainly in the degraded lands. The overall objective of the research was to assess the contribution of soil and water conservation practice towards sustainable rural livelihoods in Tigray region. Research was carried out in Adwa and Emba-Alajie districts. Data were collected from a survey of 300 rural households from December 2012 to May 2013. A multi-stage stratified random sampling procedure incorporating household’s survey questionnaires, focus group discussions, and key informants discussions were used to interpret the whole results in general. Data analysis included descriptive statistics, inferential statistical processed through one way ANOVA, t-test and Chisquare test, and Binary logistic regression model have been used. The first topic assesses the adoption of soil and water conservation practices and its benefits towards livelihoods, in the form of farm wealth groups and spatial gradients. Survey results indicate a considerable proportion of farmers were adopters of soil and water conservation practices among farm wealth groups on their farms. There is such a difference among three farm wealth groups in adoption of soil and water conservation practices. This implies that farm wealth groups are influence, by adoption of soil and water conservation practices. Adoption of soil and water conservation practices is perceived and valued as positive by all the farmers regardless of wealth differences. The findings show five main dominant sources of livelihoods with a small variation in their mean annual income of both farm and off-farm incomes of adopters and nonadopters of soil and water conservation practices. Moreover, the results reveal that there is variation in adoption of soil and water conservation practices and soil fertility management practices among farm wealth groups with respect to variations in plot’s spatial gradient and farm sizes. Therefore, to promote conservation efforts, policies should identify social and economic factors with respect to soil and water conservation and integrate them into the plans. Moreover, soil and water conservation practices should not only be aimed at minimizing soil erosion but should also cover other household objectives like securing economic and livelihoods, and follow up process on the proper maintenance and management of the soil and water conservation structures along with integrating agronomic measures using appropriate plant species. The second topic focuses on investigating the factors that influence natural resources management, perceptions of community benefit from soil and water conservation practices. Results revealed that a large-scale mass mobilization undertaken for more than three decades in soil and water conservation practices has minimized flooding and thus soil erosion or degradation both in the farmlands and off-farm conservation, although it was less in on-farm conservation compared to the off-farm conservation. Results of the study also indicated that perception of farmers towards benefits of conservation attempts in changing and hence important contribution towards livelihoods has been recorded. However, the benefits are not yet adequate. Free grazing and conflicts over communal grazing lands were the major problems, causing the destruction of the physical and biological conservation works. Thus, the local leaders should give accreditation to informal institutions, in order to empower the local community and minimize the conflicts among the society in relation to communal natural resource management. The last topic assesses determinants of farmers’ adoption that affect sustainability of soil and water conservation practice. The empirical results from binary logistic regression model showed, age, literacy, tenure, farm size, and credit access were positive and significant predictors ofadoption of soil and water conservation practices. Extension workers are urgently needed to give education for farmers to maximize public awareness for the sustainable use of soil and water conservation practices, and there is need for sensitization of farmers to form groups to benefit from institutional credit facilities to enhance adoption of soil and water conservation practices, and capacity building of farmers in other livelihoods areas to reduce burden on natural resources. Key words: contribution, livelihoods, sustainable, adoption, soil and water conservation, slope gradient, northern highlands of Ethiopia
Dermination of Soil Nutrient Balance on Barley Farm Land in Chencha District, Southern Ethiopia
(Addis Ababa University, 2017-06) Melese, Yewubdar; Abegaz, Assefa (PhD)
Soil nutrient depletion is fitting one of the major challenges of agricultural production for the small holder farmers in Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to determine the nutrient; nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K)) flows at barley land in gadha ditta village, chencha district southern Ethiopia. Throughout stratified random sampling three farm wealth groups (rich, medium and poor) were distinguished based on farm size. From a total of 323 households 129 Households were surveyed using structured questionnaire. Soil organic fertilizer sources, crop yield and crop residue samples were collected and analyzed for their nutrient content. The inflow nutrients are chemical fertilizer and manure while the outflow resources were crop yields and crop residues. The result of this research was the nutrient balance for barley land was -4.3 kg N, 13.6 kg P and -12.39kg K/ha/yr. The study noticeably recognizes the must for the development of included nutrient management systems to reduce the high rates of nutrient depletion. The achievable actions can be recommended foremost reduce crop residues removal from barley land and the farmers receive knowledge about application of more chemical fertilizer to the field. Keywords: soil fertility, nutrient flow, nutrient balance, nutrient depletion
Evaluation of Alternative Soil Amendments to Improve Soil Fertility and response to Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Productivity in Ada’a district, Central Ethiopia
(Addis Ababa University, 2015-06) Ayaye, Genizeb; Abegaz, Assefa (PhD)
Evaluation of Alternative Soil Amendments to Improve Soil Fertility and response to Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Productivity in Ada’a district, Central Ethiopia Key words: Dry matter compost, Dry matter bio Slurry, Inorganic Fertilizers, Soil Fertility, Soil Amendments, Wheat Productivity, Vertisols, Ada’a district, Central Ethiopia
Land Degradation and Adaptive Mechanism in Northeastern Wollega, Ethiopia
(Addis Ababa University, 2016-06) Adugna, Alemayehu; Abegaz, Assefa (PhD)
Ethiopia is facing serious land degradation (particularly soil erosion, nutrient depletion and land-use/land cover changes) due to natural and anthropogenic influences. This thesis examines forms and drivers of land degradation and adaptive mechanisms in Northeastern Wollega, Ethiopia. The changes in land-use/land cover were assessed based on time series image processing (from 1972 to 2015). Soil samples were collected from three adjacent soil plots under different land uses (forestland, grazing land and cultivated land) at top and subsoil. Cross-sectional surveys of 200 household heads randomly were selected by two-stage sampling from five farming communities. The data were collected using structured questionnaires, key informant interviews and group discussions. The studied land-use/land cover changes exhibited expansion of cropland and settlement at the expense of forest, shrub and grassland from 1972 to 2015. However, since 2005, shrubland and cropland experienced the highest gain and loss, respectively. These transitions were attributed to household size, productivity of cropland, total production of cereals, population growth, slope and agro climatic variations. The soil properties examined generally exhibited significant variations with respect to land-use/land cover changes and soil depths. Sand, silt, organic matter, total N, pH, CEC and Ca2+ content significantly decreased as forestland is converted into cropland/grassland/shrubland. Over all, cropland has the least concentration of soil physical and chemical properties. Results from household survey showed that rural households adapted livelihood diversification in response to problems of land degradation. Livelihood diversification was significantly influenced by sex of household head, household size, farm size and land tenure regimes. Therefore, agricultural policies aimed at encouraging diversification will likely reduce the vulnerability of rural households to land degradation. Greater, diversification may be achieved through the spread and implementation of existing knowledge, income, technology and best practices. Key words: agriculture, sharecropping, cropland expansion, deforestation organic matter, cation exchange capacity
Resources and Nutrient Flows in Smallholders Farming System of Kumbursa Village, Ada A District, Central Ethiopia
(Addis Ababa University, 2014-06) Gelana, Bogale; Abegaz, Assefa (PhD)
Inappropriate use of available resources and low nutrient application are among the major causes behind the current low agricultural productivity in the highlands of Ethiopia. To curb soil fertility depletion in these areas, it requires quantifying of available resources that are responsible for nutrient import into and export out of the farm system. The objective of this study was therefore to assess the resources and nutrient; nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P) and potassium (K)) flows at field and farm scales in Kumbursa village, Ada’a district central Ethiopia. Through stratified random sampling three farm wealth groups (rich, medium and poor) were distinguished based on farm size, number of oxen and grain stocks. From a total of 258 households 120 Households were interviewed using structured questionnaire. Soil, organic fertilizer sources, crop yield and crop residue samples were collected and analyzed for their nutrient content. The SPSS software and excel have been used for data analysis. The inflow resources are chemical fertilizer and animal feed concentrate while the outflow resources were crop yields and manure. At farm scale the amount of resources and nutrients flows into a farm system were more than the outflow of resources and nutrients from a farm system. The nutrient balance for animal production system and household were positive. This study also indicates that total input to farm fields of all three macronutrients does not counterbalance nutrient removal through crop yields and crop residues. The nutrient balance for crop production sub system was -93.46 kg N, 5.8 kg P and -97.47 kg K/ha/yr. The study clearly identifies the need for the development of integrated nutrient management systems to reduce the high rates of nutrient depletion. Three possible measures can be suggested first reduce crop residues removal from crop fields and improve livestock feed through improved forage management. Secondly, introduction of efficient energy sources to reduce use of cattle dung for fuel and consequently increasing manure availability for field application. Thirdly, application of more chemical fertilizer to the field, Key words: soil fertility, resource flow, nutrient flow, nutrient balance, nutrient mining Sustainable agricultural production.
Rural Households` Access to Domestic Water use in the Sebeta Hawas Disrict, Oromia Region, Ethiopia
(Addis Ababa University, 2015-06) Misgana, Meseret; Abegaz, Assefa (PhD)
The objective of this research is examining rural households` access to domestic water use in the Sebeta Hawas district, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. The major determinants to amount of water consumption are time from source of water and price. The paper analyzes households` water use both in the rainy and dry seasons. Via stratifying random sampling and purposive sampling techniques sorted the district in to four parts based on water accessibility. From total of 1764 households 120 households were interviewed using structured and semi structured questionnaire. SPSS software has been used for data analysis. Using the logit model for water demand that the paper found to be water demand is price inelastic. The vital determinates of water use are household size, education level, occupation of household head and distance. The survey result shows that more than half of the population consumed unsafe water in the dry seasons. Majority of rural household drinking water sources were surface water. It was contaminated by animals, birds, worm, insects and uncontrolled flooding. Maintaining and preserving of these sources is less compared to improved water source. The sampled rural households’ have the amount of water consumption in liters per day per household were 99.75liters in the rainy seasons and 118 liters in the dry seasons. Household apparently has small volume of available water per capital. The average water use was 14.25 and 16.86 Liters per capita per day in the rainy and dry seasons respectively. Amount of water demand liter per day exceeds supply in the study areas. Alternative water source of rural households` are protected and unprotected water sources. Many household uses unprotected sources. Water source required to be clearness of surrounding and protected from contamination. Households were dissatisfied with water supply services. The household satisfaction has been 34 percent in water supply service. Reliability of water supply sources was not good. Due to some water supply service was ceased
Soil Fertility Management in the Annual-Perennial Cropping System of Arsamma Watershed, Southwestern Ethiopian Highlands
(Addis Ababa University, 2016-05) Guteta, Dereje; Abegaz, Assefa (PhD)
The specific objectives of this study were to assess dynamics of selected physico-chemical soil properties under different land use types, examine the nexus between smallholder farmers’ resource endowment and soil fertility management, identify determinants of Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) adoption, examine factors influencing agroforestry upscaling and agroforestry-based spatial land use integration (inter-plot organic fertilizer transfer and inter-plot income flow) and assess farmers’ perception of soil fertility change and their preferences for soil fertility management techniques in Arsamma Watershed, Southwestern Ethiopian Highlands. Forty-two composite soil samples and 42 core samples were collected from forestland, multistory canopy coffee farm, coffee monoculture and annual cropland. The samples from the annual cropland were sub-stratified based on farmers’ resource endowment. The socioeconomic data were collected from 136 randomly selected households. Two way ANOVA and Tukey’s post hoc tests were used to assess soil properties under different land use types. One way ANOVA and multiple regression models were employed to examine the nexus between smallholder farmers’ resource endowment and soil fertility management. Factors driving adoption of ISFM were characterized by a binary logistic regression model. Contingency tables, chi-square, phi and Cramer’s V were used to examine factors influencing agroforestry upscaling, inter-plot organic fertilizer transfer and inter-plot income flow. Farmers’ perception of soil fertility change and their preferences for soil fertility management techniques were assessed by descriptive statistics. Decreasing tendencies of soil organic matter, total nitrogen and the exchangeable base content were observed, sequentially, in forestland, multistory canopy coffee farm, coffee monoculture and annual cropland. Next to forest soils, soils of the multistory canopy coffee farm contained high organic matter, total nitrogen and exchangeable bases content. The soils were found to be strongly acidic (pH < 5.5) regardless of land use types. Decreasing tendencies of soil nutrient content and increasing patterns of soil acidity and soil compaction were observed, sequentially, in farmlands owned by the rich, medium and poor households. Farmland size and number of livestock explained about 61% of the variability in organic matter content of the soil. About 56% of total variation in crop yield area was explained by farmland size and livestock number, and 5.2 quintals of yield gap by area was observed between rich and poor households. Use of ISFM, agroforestry and agroforestry-based spatial land use integration was influenced by complex sets of factors. Farmland size, farmer training, participation in agricultural extension, duration of chemical fertilizer application and farmers’ perception toward continuous use of mono-chemical fertilizer were the statistically significant predictors of ISFM adoption. Scaling up of agroforestry and agroforestry-based spatial land use integration were mainly influenced by access to seedling, farmers’ production orientation, farmland size and farmers’ wealth status. The rate of soil fertility decline and the rate of the occurrence of the contributory factors were found land use specific. Increasing fertilizer requirement of croplands and decreasing yield per unit of land were the main indicators of soil fertility decline in annual and perennial cropland, respectively. Farmers’ priorities for soil fertility management techniques were land use specific. ISFM and agroforestry were their top preferences, respectively, for annual and perennial cropland. Promotion of ISFM, scaling up of the traditional coffee farm to coffee-based improved agroforestry, working towards certification of shade grown and/or organic coffee that may help the farmers to obtain premium prices from international coffee market and/ or carbon trade, application of organic fertilizers, promotion of rural electrification and energy saving stoves can alleviate the problem of soil fertility decline resulting from land use change and agroecosystem transformation. The poor farmers need to be emphatically focused on soil fertility management planning, and hence provision of credit services without tightened precondition, subsidizing chemical fertilizers, and promotion of off-farm livelihood strategies are the way out. Action-based farmer training and agricultural extension services can enhance adoption of ISFM. Agroforestry and agroforestry based symbiotic and mutually synergistic spatial land use integration can be scaled up through the promotion of agroforestry-centered diversified small-scale agricultural commercialization, tree-crop-livestock integration, and multi-purpose tree species supply. Farmers’ knowledge of below-ground processes of soil degradation need to be cultivated; and ISFM for annual cropland and agroforestry for the perennial cropland need to be a top priority of soil fertility management planning in Arsamma watershed

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