Abstract:
In Ethiopia, soil erosion by water constitutes to the most widespread and damaging
process of soil degradation. Several studies indicate that soil erosion and the associated
decline in soil fertility is developing into major constraint to agricultural production in
Ethiopias. So far a lot of soil and water conservation practices have been employed in the
study area. However, farmers’ perception of soil erosion and participation in SWC
practices and the effects of those practices on soil fertility have not been assessed and
documented properly for the study area. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess
farmers’ perceptions and participation in SWC practices and their effects on some key soil
properties at Azedobo kebel, Kedida Gamela district, Southern Ethiopia.
A random sampling procedure was used to select the sample households in three slopes in
the keble. Questionnaire survey was administered with 108 households to capture their
perception of soil erosion and their asset holding in relation to implementing soil
conservation practices. Also three farm fields were selected to conduct a detailed study on
soil properties as affected by soil conservation practices. Each farm field was divided into
upper, middle and lower slopes giving a total of 9 case farm sections. In each of the 9
farm sections, 4 composite soil samples were collected from the inter-bund space to
compare difference in soil properties across farms down the slope. A total of 36
composite soil samples were collected and analyzed for soil pH, soil organic carbon
(SOC), total nitrogen (TN), available phosphorus (AP), available potassium (avail. K) and
cation exchange capacity (CEC). The results showed that 55% of the farmers perceived
soil erosion as a major problem on crop production. The most commonly used soil
conservation structures include soil and stone bunds and fanayajuu on farm lands and
terraces and area closures on hillside communal areas. Although farmers are aware of the
impacts of erosion, land and labor shortage impinges up on the implementation of soil
conservation measures. Many of the young people are moving away from farming opting
to off- farm activities such as wage labor (in town) and petty trading.. Laboratory analysis
of soil samples showed that fields closer to the conservation structure(0.5-1.0 m distance)
had a better soil nutrient status than those away from the structures( >1.0m). This
suggests that conservation structures combined with farmyard munuring and grass strips
have positive effects on soil nutrients.
