Farmers’ Adoption of Soil and Water Conservation Practices: the Case of Lege-lafto Watershed, Dessie Zuria District, South Wollo, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was conducted to assess farmers’ adoption decisions of soil and water conservation practices in Lege-Lafto Watershed, Dessie Zuria District, South Wollo, Ethiopia. Data were collected from 304 farmers using household survey, and through focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and field observation. Binary Logistic regression model and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. The results indicated that about 64% of the farmers adopted soil and water conservation practices in their plot of land. The findings depict soil bund, stone bund, stone-faced soil bund, loose stone and brush-wood check dams, hillside terrace and bund stabilized with vegetation are the types of soil and water conservation technologies which are practiced in the study area. The analysis result revealed adoption of soil and water conservation practices in the study area is significantly and positively influenced by the perception of farmers on erosion problem and SWC practices, family labour, education level, and membership in local institutions. However, distance from residence to the nearest market and farmland, off-farm activities, and the ratio of cultivable land to family size influenced the adoption of SWC practices negatively. Therefore, improving farmers’ education status, strengthening local institutions, and empowering their members are vital for sustainable land management practices in the country.

Factors Affecting Farmer’s Adoption of Soil and Water Conservation Practice in Case of Gode District, Shebelle Zone, Somali Region, Ethiopia

“…In a similar vein, Sisey (2009) discovered that growing older was linked to more agricultural expertise and experience, which boosted the uptake of SWC policies. Additionally, Fikru (2009) observed that more experienced Sex--The adoption of SWC practices was significantly impacted by the sex of household heads, according to the findings of the binary logistic regression (B = 1.043; P < 0.001). The Wald statistic (3.287) and the Exp (B) = 0.839 support the idea that there was a negative correlation between sex and adoption, meaning that female household heads were less likely than male household heads to adopt SWC practices.…”

“…Kessler (2006), who recommended that farmers participate in more appropriate SWC activities near their homes, supports this outcome. Conversely, Fikru (2009) contended that individuals adopted fewer SWC techniques depending on how far their residence was from their farm. Alemante (2010) discovered no correlation between the distance between farms and the adoption of SWC methods.…”

“…This implies that the rate at which farmers who have access to funding use SWC methods is 0.877 times higher than that of farmers who do not. According to key informant interviews, farmers with financial access can have different objectives for their investments than these activities; yet, Fikru (2009) showed that they were more likely to employ SWC tactics than farmers without credit.ource: Spss -V-23 Outcome *Statistically Significant At <0.05…”

“…The adoption of SWC methods was more common among educated farmers than illiterate farmers, according to positive logit coefficient values. It was demonstrated by Fikru (2009) and Alemeta (2010) that there was no causal relationship between adoption of SWC practices and education level. Eleni (2008) came to the same judgement.…”

“…This result agrees with Asfew (2017). Fikru (2009), Eleni (2008), andHabtamu (2006) also showed that farmers who receive better information from extension agents are more willing to adopt new soil and water conservation techniques and maintain existing ones. He stated that the likelihood of using and sustaining the introduced soil and water conservation practices would increase as a result of extension workers' support and their awareness of the benefits of conservation practices.…”