Farmers’ Practice and Factors Influencing the Adoption of Soil and Water Conservation Measures in Wegdi Woreda, South Wollo, Ethiopia
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2014-09
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Soil erosion is one of the major agricultural problems in the highlands of Ethiopia. Deforestation, overgrazing, and cultivation of steep slopes which is not suitable for agricultural activities together with bad farming practice that do not include induced conservation measures are the major causes for soil erosion in much of Ethiopia‟s highland areas. A survey was conducted on soil erosion and fertility decline were identified as top priority problems of farming practice in Wegdi woreda. The main objective of the study was to assess farmers‟ practices and factors influencing the adoption of structural soil and water conservation (SWC) technologies for sustainable watershed management and planning in Wegdi district. To achieve the goal of the study, pre-tested questionnaires, field observation, focus group discussion and key informant interview were prepared for sample household heads. Numerical tools ( SPSS ) for data analysis comprised of descriptive statistics (frequencies, cross tabulation and percentages) were used to analyze the collected data. The main SWC measures found in Wegdi woreda were soil and stone bunds, tree planting, agro-forestry, strip cropping, inter cropping, cut-off drains, water ways, modern check dams and contour ploughing methods. It also came to light that household size, farmland size, labor, perception of soil erosion problem, and training service in soil erosion control, land tenure; access to institutional services, and farmland distance from homesteads had an impact on adoption of induced structural SWC technologies.
SWC measures should be adapted to the local physical conditions and protected the soil from being eroded. Farming productivity and purchasing power of the farmers will be expected to increase after applying SWC structures on farmlands. In conclusion, construction and implementation of induced structural SWC measures in the degraded highlands and stabilizing with multipurpose plant species is very important to conserve the soil and increase crops productivity as well as water harvesting power. SWC efforts need hand- in- hand cooperation with concerned experts while planning and implementation
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Geography and Environmental Studies