The role of social learning for soil conservation: the case of Amba Zuria land management, Ethiopia

Abstract

Social learning plays key roles in sustainable natural resource management; however, studies on its role show mixed results. Even though most current studies highlight positive outcomes, there are also negative effects of social learning with respect to natural resource management. This paper explores the influence of social learning outcomes on the adoption of soil conservation practices in Amba Zuria, Ethiopia. Data were collected through semi-structured interviews, group discussions and in workshops. The interviews were transcribed and analysed with the qualitative data analysis software ATLAS.ti. In addition, a review of pertinent documents and literature complements the analysis. We found that social learning results in positive outcomes in interactions among the actors, broader understanding on soil conservation, trust and mutual understanding, and the creation of opportunities to apply both indigenous and scientific knowledge. These outcomes, in turn, foster the adoption of stone terraces to conserve soils. No such positive results were found for farmers who were not involved in the learning process and who did not adopt stone terraces. The non-adoption can partly be explained by their exclusion from sharing the positive outcomes of social learning. The study also shows limitations related to the short duration of the learning platforms, insufficient representation of women and irregular patterns of learning schedules. Hence, Ethiopian soil conservation strategies should put emphasis on social learning in order to strengthen the collective processes of soil conservation measures.

Social network effects on the adoption of sustainable natural resource management practices in Ethiopia

“…Recently, management of natural resource practices through community level commitment is forwarded to reduce selfish behaviour of individual users. One such organization at community level is therefore the use of social networks as a mechanism to enhance the adoption of new management practices (Foster and Rosenzweig 1995;Munshi 2004;Conley and Udry 2010;Rosenzweig 2010;Dessie et al 2012;Maertens and Barrett 2012;Li et al 2013).…”

“…Moreover, social networks create the opportunity for more understanding and harmonization among members for the adoption of natural resource management practices by giving members the opportunity to define their interests, to exchange knowledge and to mobilize resources through social learning (Dessie et al 2012). Technology adoption through social learning takes place based on information from different sources (Rogers 1995;Conley and Udry 2010).…”

“…Being cognizant of this fact, considerable efforts have been made to rehabilitate degraded lands. For instance, the largest soil conservation measures were implemented in the 1980s with the assumption that conservation measures would halt the degradation problem and lead to sustainable land use (Bewket 2007;Dessie et al 2012;Kassie et al 2012). The whole effort was, however, regarded as a failure and adoption rates remain quite low.…”

Social learning can benefit decision-making in landscape planning: Gartow case study on climate change adaptation, Elbe valley biosphere reserve

“…Communities of practice are groups of diverse actors in which knowledge is constructed (Wenger, 1999). Interestingly, few authors discuss potential negative effects of social learning like problems of exclusion (Dessie, Wurzinger, & Hauser, 2011).…”

Soil erosion under different plant cover types and its influencing factors in Napahai Catchment, Shangri-La County, Yunnan Province, China

“…Vegetation is one recognized preventive measure and control for soil erosion. Accordingly, this study can be used to help this region treat its soil erosion problems, preventing the Napahai Wetland and its surrounding area from deteriorating further using some scientific measures of soil and water conservation (Dessie et al 2012;Wossen et al 2013). …”