Impact of Soil Conservation on Crop Productivity in the Southern Ethiopian Highlands.
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Date
2007-03
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A.A.U
Abstract
Land degradation, especially soil erosion, nutrient depletion and soil moisture stress are
severe problems in Ethiopia. Land management, therefore, becomes a key problem area
in addressing land degradation and achieving sustainable agricultural development in the
country. This research gives emphasis to identify the determinant factors of Soil and
Water Conservation (SWC) adoption. In addition, the impact of SWC on crop
productivity is also addressed .The study is based on a primary data collected at plot level
from 151 randomly selected households operating on 331 plots in Damot Gali Woreda.
The binary probit approach is used for the analysis of the adoption decision, and a
separate OLS regression is run based on a chow test to assess the impact of SWC on crop
productivity for both sub samples. Heckman approach is also part of the analysis.
Variables such as sex, age, access to credit, livestock ownership, distance to town market,
slope and soil fertility were found to have a statistical significant impact on the adoption
model.
Moreover, agricultural inputs application (fertilizer & seed), sex of the household head
and soil water conservation have a positive impact on crop productivity. The predicted
mean yield difference also shows the positive impact of SWC on crop productivity.
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Keywords
Soil and Water Conservation, adoption, Damot Gali, binary probit and OLS regression, crop productivity. VII