FARMERS’ PERCEPTION OF SOIL EROSION AND ADOPTION OF SOIL CONSERVATION MEASURES IN KOLLA TEMBIEN TABIA AWOTBKALSI, TIGRAY REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Soil is an important resource which nourishes and provides with required needs for the nature. However, nowadays in spite of its importance soil erosion is one of the most serious problems affecting the well being of the human beings and disturbing the environmental sustainability in general. Moreover, the problem is accelerated in developing countries of the world, like Ethiopia where agriculture based economy of the country. Accordingly, the purpose of the this study was to assess the causes, consequence and levels of soil erosion, examining farmers’ perception towards soil conservation measures and to identify factors which affecting their decision on adopting of soil conservation measures in Tabia Awotbkalsi. To achieve these objectives descriptive survey method was employed and data was collected from 183 respondents. These were selected by using purposive and random sampling techniques. The gathered data were analyzed by using descriptive statistical techniques of frequency and percentages. Finally the results are illustrated using tables, diagrams and charts. As a result, the impacts of soil erosion have major implications for the society from an economic, social and environmental perspective. Hence, soil erosion is a serious problem that facing the livelihood of the area which was causing due to naturally occurring circumstances, basically the influential day to day human activities, and the majority of arable lands were disintegrated and forced to reduce farm plot sizes, decreasing agricultural yields and loss of soil fertility are among its consequences. To overcome the problem of soil erosion both traditional and newly introduced soil and water conservation measures have taken place. However, farmers’ decision and adoption of soil conservation was affecting by a number of factors; steepness of topography, lack of technical support, lack of money and an insufficient active labor force were among it. To address these potential factors the researcher comes up with recommendations on a broader picture.