Determinants of Farmer’s Participation in Soil and Water Conservation Practices in North-Central Highlands of Ethiopia
Abstract
Soil erosion is the major threat in the highlands of Ethiopia. Even if large number of conservation campaigns have been undertaken, the efforts are less effective, because of low intention to farmer’sparticipation in soil and water conservation (SWC) works. The objective of this study was to identify determinants of farmer’sparticipation in soil and water conservation (SWC) in Borena woreda, north-central highlands of Ethiopia. Samples of 148 households were selected following Stratified, proportional sampling technique. Household survey, focus group discussion, and key informant interview methods were used to collect primary data. Secondary data were also collected from Woreda agriculture office, published, and unpublished documents. Both descriptive statistics and Binary logistic regression model using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 20 were used to analyze the data. About 76.35% of the respondents were participants. However, 57.52% of participants were without their interest. The binary logistic regression results showed that perception, extension service, training, and slope of their land found to have a positive and significant influence on farmer’sparticipation. Whereas, age of household head and off-farm income found to have negative and significant influence on farmer’sparticipation in SWC practices. When farmers get extension and training service, they become willing to participate in SWC practice because they acquire necessary information and skill. Therefore, the Woreda Agricultural office should provide extension service and encourage farmers training for the sustainable management of the land and its productivity.
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Introduction
Ethiopia depends on an agricultural-based economy with a rapidly increasing population, soil erosion, and sedimentation problems caused by cropland expansion, overgrazing, and over-exploitation of forests (Biratu and Asmamaw, 2016). Soil erosion is a severe phenomenon in Ethiopian highlands due to inappropriate cultivation on steep farmland (Abate, 2011). Studies showed that 50% of the highlands have significant soil erosion, 25% of it is highly eroded and 4% of the eroded land is beyond reclamation (Akalu et al., 2016). After the emergence of famine and drought in the 1970s, the government of Ethiopia launched various soil and water conservation measures in various parts of the country (Tesfahunegn et al., 2012). A large number of structural, biological, and agronomic soil and water conservation technologies which include, soil and stone bunds, grass strip, agroforestry techniques, and water harvesting options such as tied ridges and pond construction have been undertaken throughout the country (Shiferaw et al ., 2007). Even if a large number of conservation campaigns were undertaken through Food-For-Work (FFW) programs, the efforts didn'tbring significant changes as expected (Kidane et al., 2014; Teshome et al., 2016). Traditional agricultural practices and improper design of soil and water conservation (SWC) practices increase the severity of soil erosion (Abate, 2011). Moreover, the farmers have given little attention to decisions making and participation inmost processes of soil and water conservation activities (Amsalu and Graaff, 2007). Having these problems at hand, there is no research conducted in this area related to farmer’sparticipation in soil and water conservation practices. Hence, this study aimed to identify determinants of farmer’sparticipation in soil and water conservation practices in the north-central highlands of Ethiopia.
Conclusion
The findings of this study revealed that even majority of respondents are participant, their participation was mainly at the implementation stage to be free from penalty of being absent. The participation of farmers in SWC practices in the study area is affected by their perception of erosion problem, extension services, training, and slope of their farmland positively. On the hand, age and off-farm income affected farmer’sparticipation in SWC practices negatively. Therefore, strategies those focus on enhancing and strengthening of the interest and ability of farmers like training and extension on the sustainable management of land should be continuously implemented. ABBREVIATIONS GIS: Geographic Information System SWC: Soil and Water Conservation SPSS: Statistical Package for Social Science
