Adoption of Physical Soil and Water Conservation Structures In Anna Watershed, Hadiya Zone, Ethiopia
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Date
2006-08
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The objectives o.lthis study were to describe soil conservation measures introduced to
the area and to investigate holl' farmers have adopted introduced conservation
measures. It also aimed to assessfactors that affect farmers' adoption. The data for
the study came mainly fi'omfarmers in the study catchment. Itll'as analyzed using 1\1'0
methods: descripti1'e and regression methods Soil conservation measures intrndllced to the area can be grouped into three
depending on tile land use type ill which they are installed. The first: soil
conservation measures on cultivated{telds, 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-basin!; and
plantations. The third: soil conservation measures to rehabilitate gullies. they
include Brash \I'ood check-dams and Rockfi/ll loose rock check-dams. Farmers responded to soil conservation measures introduced on cultivation fields
differently. From J I 0 respondents. 53% removed conservation structures completely.
20% removed selectively and the remaining 21% of the interviewee retained these
structures in their original state. [t 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 belieI'. plan to continue in the farming. and tl)' new
technologies are 1I10re likely to retain conservation structures. Likewise, farmers that
cultivate their uwn !ands, attended soil conservation trainings and those perceived
traditional conservation measures to be less effective in retaining soil erosion
compared (0 the iniroduced soil conservation technologies are more likely to make
decision to retain conservation structures installed on their .fcll'lnland. On the
contrm)" Ftrl17erS that are old, having large farmland, plowing black soil and
involved in o/ffarm activities are less likely to retain conservation structures. Different measures need to be undertaken to address the problem of low level of
adoption o.f conservation structures. Appropriate conservation measures need 10 be
found out ins'fead of heavy reliance on the physical conservation measures especially
on cultivation fields. Farmers also need to be made aware ol rhe economic
significance of soil erosion on the cultivated fields belieI'. Farmers that lack required
labor need to be provided with sZlpports that enable them to nilain 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 inejjectiveness of traditional conservation
measures has to be disseminated among Flrmers. Furthermore, farm ers have to be
made remain on the agricultural sector, by making the sector more productive. and
cultivate their own land.
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Keywords
Water Conservation Structures, Anna Watershed