This study was conducted in Arsi Negelle woreda of West Arsi Zone, Oromia regional state. The main objective of the study was to investigate the impacts of soil bund on soil physical and chemical properties in Arsi Negelle woreda. The soil data was collected from sites namely: lowland, midland and highland and from soil bunds aged >4 years, <4 years and control of farmland. Three representative sites were selected purposively for soil sample collection. Stratified random sampling techniques were used for soil samples collection. Fifty-four disturbed and undisturbed soil samples were collected for soil properties analysis from two soil depths (10 and 20 cm). Statistical analysis was done following a completely randomized design (CRD) with factorial experiments and treatments as fixed effect and location of sampling as a random effects. The analysis was carried using R software. Regression analysis was used to relate physical properties of soil with each other. Tukey test was used for comparison of means of treatments when statistical significance is found at P ≤ 0.05. Bulk density (BD) and air-filled porosity (AFP) showed significance difference on treated and non-treated site, respectively. The mean of electric conductivity (EC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorous (AP) and organic carbon contents were recorded to be significantly higher (p≤ 0.05) on soil bund ages greater than 4 years (>4years) at both soil sampling depths. Aged soil bunds (treated plots) showed a significant changes on soil physical and chemical properties than control plots. The mean of total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorous (AP) and organic carbon contents were recorded significantly higher (p≤ 0.05) in lowland than highland at both soil sampling depths. In generally, ages of soil bunds and sites had significant effect on many soil physical and chemical properties. The sites and ages interaction had significant effect on bulk density (BD) at both depths at P ≤ 0.05. In conclusion, this study showed that soil bunds had significant effect on many physical and chemical properties of soil in the study area.

Estimating runoff and sediment yield at watershed level is important for better understanding of hydrologic processes and identifying hotspot area by using Soil and Water Assessment Tool (SWAT) model for intervention strategies. From the result of Global sensitivity analysis, 12 highly sensitive parameters identified. The obtained results were satisfactory for the gauging station (coefficient of determination (R 2 )=0.8, Nash-Sutcliffe Efficiency (NSE)=0.6 and percent difference or percent bias (PBIAS)=0) from 1990 to 2005(16) years used calibration and (R 2 =0.6, ENS=0.55and PBIAS=1.2) from 2006 to 2013(8 year) were used for validation period respectively. Among all sub-watersheds, nine sub watersheds were more vulnerable to soil loss and potentially prone to erosion risk, which was out of range of tolerable soil loss rate (18 tha -1 yr -1 ). In conclusion, the SWAT model could be effectively used to estimate runoff and sediment yield; and identified hotspot area. In addition, the result could help different stakeholders to plan and implement appropriate interventions strategies in the Katar watershed.

The experiment was conducted during 2019 cropping season in six Peasant Associations (PAs) of Negele Arsi and Adami Tulu Jido Kombolcha Districts; with objectives of demonstration and scaling up the selected in-situ moisture conservation structures (Tied ridge and furrow closed at both Ends), awareness creation and analyzed the cost benefit. Totally twelve (12) FREG members were established and 600 farmers, 12 animator and 6 DAs were participated on training from six Peasant Associations (PAs). Two FREG members were established in each Peasant Associations (PAs). From these, 240 farmers were from FREG and 360 from non-FREG were participated on introductory training. Totally 100 farmers, 4 DAs and animator, 4 SMS and 32 others were participated on field day from both districts respectively. The mean yield obtained from tied ridge and furrow closed at both ends were 89.55 and 71.69 Qtha -1 at Negele Arsi district and 72.81 and 69.96 Qtha -1 were obtained from Adami Tulu Jido Kombolcha district respectively. The two-selected in-situ moisture conservation structures were gave a significant yield in both districts. The net benefit obtained from tied ridge, furrow closed at both end were 50,241 and 37,096 ETH Birr ha -1 respectively at NegeleArsi district. In addition, the net benefit obtained from tied ridge and furrow closed at both end were 38,119 and 35,896 ETH Birr ha -1 respectively at Adami Tulu Jido Kombolcha district. In-situ moisture conservation structures (tied ridge and furrow closed at both Ends) were more economical and better if it is more scale up in the study area and similar agro ecology. Agricultural and natural resource office should have give a great attention to popularized and scaling up this technologies in moisture deficit areas of the districts.

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