Factors Affecting the Adoption of Soil and Water Conservation Practices in North Eastern Ethiopia.
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Date
2009-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
In the past, various soil and water conservation practices were introduced and implemented in
Ethiopia. Still, those technologies failed to get acceptance of the land users because of their
limitations and constraints. Thus, identification of constraints in relation to the adoption of soil
and water conservation practices is of paramount importance. The study was undertaken in
Meket Woreda of North Eastern Ethiopia, ANRS. The data were collected from 105 farmers
residing in 4 Kebeles that are randomly selected from 35 rural Kebeles 'where soil and water
technologies have been introduced and widely implemented. Both qualitative and quantitative
data were used to have reliable information. The basic data used for this study were collected
FOn! sample households, focus group participants and key informants through structured
questionnaire and semi-structured checklists. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic model
were employed to assess and identifY the factors that determine adoption of soil and water
conservation practices. Both indigenous and improved SWC measures are practicing in the study
area. About 64.8% of the sampledfarmers were adopters and 35.2% were non-adopters ofSWC
measures. Demographic, socio-economic and institutional factors influence the investment of
households commit to soil and water conservation measures. The result of the model shows that
the explanatory variables: farmers' level of perception on soil erosion, farmers experience in
farming and extension service given by development agents increases the likelihood of adoption
of soil and water conservation practices measures by the farmers. On the other hand,
involvement in off-farm activities has a negative and significant influence on the adoption of soil
and water conservation activities in the study area. In order to improve SWC practices; policy
makers, extension experts and development agents should give due attention for those significant
variables that determine farmers ' adoption of SWC measures.
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Keywords
Affecting the Adoption of Soil