Abstract:
In central rift valley of Ethiopia, land degradation resulting from soil erosion and nutrients
depletion is a serious environmental and socioeconomic problem. Although different soil and
water conservation technologies have extensively been introduced and implemented over the
past decades, adoption of the measures was not glamorous. Therefore, this study was conducted
to identify the determinants of soil and water conservation structures adoption, and to assess the
current and common soil and water conservation practices in Dalocha district of Siltie zone. A
three-stage sampling procedure was used to identify kebeles, villages and sample households.
The data were collected from 120 sample households selected randomly using probability
proportional to sample size sampling technique. Qualitative data were generated from focus
group discussions, key informant interviews and field observation using checklists, while
quantitative data were collected from sampled households using structured interview schedule.
Descriptive statistics and binary logistic regression model were employed to analyze the data
collected from sample households. Both indigenous and improved soil and water conservation
measures are practiced in the study area. The study results revealed that 64% of sample
households were adopters and 36% of sample households were non adopters of soil and water
conservation measures during study year. Results of the binary logistic regression model showed
that land holding size, extension service or contact, active family labour force and slope of farm
land positively and significantly affect farmers’ decision to adopt soil and water conservation
structures. On the other hand, family size and number of dependent members in the household
have a negative and significant influence on the adoption of soil and water conservation
activities in the study area. Whereas, age, sex, education level, off-farm activities, livestock
holding, training, distance of farm plot, tenure security and perception of soil erosion problem
show not significant influence on farmers’ adoption decision. The result of this study indicates
that determinants of adoption of soil and water conservation technologies are a result of
interplay of factors such as household demographic, socio-economic, physical and institutional
characteristics of specific area. Hence, soil and water conservation intervention should consider
not only physical performance of the measures but also recognize the heterogeneity in household
characteristics such as family size, dependency ratio, active family labour force, access to
extension service, land holding size, slope of farm land and farming system of specific area.
Finally, intensive agriculture, strengthening agricultural extension service through extension
events and training, promoting family planning in program intervention and integrating
engineering practices with food, fodder and other vegetative measures are suggested as
recommendation.
