Abstract:
The study was conducted in Soro woreda, to investigate local people’s knowledge, attitude and
practice towards land degradation and conservation efforts.In order to achieve the above stated
objectives both primary and secondary data were generated. The techniques of collecting primary
data sources includes household survey questionnaires with farm households, group discussion with
farmers, field observations and in-depth interview with development agents, agriculture office
officers and individual farmers. Secondary data were collected from published and unpublished
materials like research reports, journals, books and electronic documents. The study used stratified
sampling technique to select sample Kebeles. Simple random sampling technique was also employed
to select household participants among the total households under each sample Kebeles. This was
also to give equal chance of inclusion of farm households for household survey questionnaire. The
data collected was analyzed using both statistical tools such as percentage, frequency and qualitative
approach. The finding of the study revealed that, farmers were positive knowledge and attitude on
agricultural land management options that are more associated with their agricultural practices like
contour plowing, crop rotation,agroforestry,terracing,manure, use of improved crop and diversion
ditches. Additionally, farmers’ use of organic sources fertilizer and their indigenous soil fertility
management practices were found to be limited. The agricultural land in the study area was found to
be under serious degradation problem indicted by the development of rill and gully areas over crop
farm fields and communal grazing fields. It was identified that institutional capacity related
constraints, technical gaps, unsuitable agricultural fields and the attitude of local farmers were
among the major challenges that obstruct the practice of more effective agricultural land
management options in the study area. Finally, in light of these findings, wider range of support and
awareness creation, the provision of practical based trainings, urgent intervention to expand
biological management practices and institutional capacity development help the practice of effective
agricultural land management in the study area.
