ADOPTION OF SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION PRACTICES IN AGRO-PASTORAL COMMUNITIES OF AWBARE WOREDA, JIGJIGA ZONE, SOMALI REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The purpose of this study was the adoption of soil and water conservation practices in agro-pastoral communities of Awbare Woreda, Jigjiga Zone, Somali Regional State. For this purpose, a sample of 145 households, 10 respondents for key informant interview from development agents, natural protection officers, and community elders, and 9 respondents for focus group discussion from model agro-pastoralists, local leaders, and Woreda agricultural and rural officers took part in this research. To achieve this goal survey research design was used for the study. The study employed both probability and non-probability sampling techniques to select the required participants. Descriptive and inferential statistics with SPSS version 21 were used for quantitative data analysis whereas narration and direct quotation were used to analyze qualitative data. Binary Logit model of econometrics was employed to identify major factors affecting adoption of soil and water conservation practices in the area. The findings of the study indicated that out of the 145 sampled households, 65.5% were adopters while 34.5% were non-adopters of soil and water conservation. Furthermore, they were well known the effects of soil erosion on their lands, including loss of soil fertility, reduction of yield production, and loss of vegetation and grasses. The study also found that the types of soil and water conservation practices in the study area were majority 89.5% traditional while very small portion 10.5% were modern. Some of the structural soil and water conservation measures were soil bunds, stone bunds, cut off trains, and hill side terraces which were accounted 55.2%, 51.7%, 45.5%, and 48.3% respectively. The binary logit output showed that factors including; perception, education, and TLU were found to be influencing positively households’ adoption of soil and water conservation practices at significant level less than 1% and 5% respectively whereas off-farm activities and farm distance were found to influence negatively on SWC practices at less than 5% and 10% significant levels respectively. Furthermore, the study found that Livelihood diversification, agriculture, and the mobility which accounted 46.2%, 44.1%, and 9.7% respectively were the three most livelihood strategies in the study area. Therefore, the study forwards educating households, organizing forums and holding training as well as creating public awareness for soil erosion problem