FACTORS AFFECTING FARMERS’ USE OF SOIL CONSERVATION PRACTICE: THE CASE OF META WEREDA, EAST HARARGHE ZONE, OROMIYA REGIONAL STATE

Abstract

Soil erosion is one of the major challenges in agricultural production in many parts of the world, especially in developing nations, such as Ethiopia. A number of soil conservation methods were introduced to combat soil erosion but the use of these practices below expectations. The main objective of the study is to examine how farm households were trying to meet the challenges of agricultural productivity decline because of soil erosion and what determines farmers’ decision to undertake a soil conservation activity that enhances sustainable productivity of farming. The study revealed that factors such as slope of the area, contact with extension workers, age, size of household and training influenced farmers to adopt soil conservation methods. For this purpose household questionnaire, key informant interview, focus group discussion and observation were used to generate both qualitative and quantitative information. Field survey was conducted to collect the necessary data from 150 sample households, which were selected via simple random sampling and multistage sampling technique. The household survey questionnaire data have been tabulated and summarized by utilizing the statistical package for social science (SPSS). Soil bund, fanya juu, water way, cut off drain and grass strips are the major soil conservation methods adopted in the area. Regarding to the factors associated for soil conservation in Meta woreda the researcher finds out that due to the frequent consequences of soil erosion. The study found that contour plaguing, production of forestry, avoidance of deforestation, avoidance of overgrazing the main factors for enhancing of soil conservation. Despite the benefits the study also revealed that some farmers failed to maintain adopted methods of soil conservation. Therefore, it is reasonable to recommend that adequate consideration of these variables may greatly contribute to increase the sustainable use and widespread uses of introduced conservation structures in the study area and elsewhere in the country which might have a more or less similar physical set up