Abstract:
Soil and water conservation practice (SWCP) plays a major role in reducing soil losses and
improves soil properties that enhance the agricultural production and productivity. In the
Dale Wabera district, soil bund and fanya juu have been widely implemented since 2011via
community based watershed development approach. However, in the study area the effect of
the structural practice was never been evaluated yet. Therefore the objective of this study was
to evaluate the effect of the physical SWC structures and slope gradients on soil properties
and to identify factors affecting farmer’s adoption of the SWC practices. Cultivated fields
treated with soil bund, fanya juu and control plots adjacent to these structures were
considered along the three slope gradients. A total of 27 soil samples were collected from the
top 20 cm soil depth in ‘X’ design square plot with length of 10 m x 10 m and replicated three
times. 120 HH were randomly selected among which 48.3% were adopter and 51.7% were
non-adopters of SWC structures. A total of 10 variables were fitted in the logistic regression
model. Results showed that most soil physical properties were not significantly affected by
soil bund (SB) and fanya juu s’ of seven years age compared to control plot. However, sand
showed significant different (P≤0.05) between the structures which might be due to inherent
soil property derived from the parent material. SOC, TN, CEC and pH also showed
significant differences between structures and control plots, but available P did not showed
variation which might be due to soil acidity in the study area. With regard to slope gradient
soil texture showed significant different (P≤0.05) but BD and MC were not significantly
different along the slope. Except for CEC which showed highly significant different with slope
gradient the other soil chemical properties did not showed variation along the slope. With
regard to carbon stock concentration of the two selected structures, soil bund showed highly
significant different when compared with fanya juu and control plots. The results of the model
also showed that the explanatory variables: age, education level, family size, land holding,
farm experience, availability of labor shortage and extension service were significantly
affecting the adoption of SWC practices by the farmers. On the other hand; sex, marital status
and livestock holding were not significantly affecting farmer’s adoption of SWC practice.
Therefore, increasing the quantity and quality of development agents, providing training and
experience sharing tour for farmers and bottom- up planning initiation were recommended
for the study area. Moreover, further research need to be conducted on socioeconomic
aspects of SWC practices for a better understanding of the sustainable use of the land.
