Abstract:
Soil is the most important natural resources which support all fauna and flora of the world. The
whole creation depends on the soil which is the ultimate foundation of life existence. Soil erosion
is a global environmental problem causing the loss of fertile topsoil and reducing the productive
capacity of the land or soil and there by raises the risk of the global food security. Soil erosion
by water is one of the principal causes of land degradation, food insecurity and largely remains
a major constraint to agricultural development in developing countries. Soil and water
conservation practices help to control runoff and prevent loss of soil by soil erosion. The aim of
this study was to assess soil and water conservation practices and factors influencing its
adoption among rural households in Soro district, Hadiya Zone, Central Ethiopia Region. Both
primary and secondary data were used in this study. Descriptive analysis and binary logit
regression model were used to analyze the collected data. Descriptive analysis showed contour
plough, soil bund, fanyajuu and waterways were important physical soil and water conservation
practices whereas crop rotation, planting trees and mixed cropping were used as main
biological soil and water conservation methods used among smallholder farmers in the study
area. Using trash for gulley control and planting local trees species were preferable indigenous
soil and water conservation practices which were highly implemented in the study area.
Moreover, sex, education level, land size, extension contact, training on soil and water
conservation practices and household total income were significantly (p<0.05) and positively
affected households’ adoption of soil and water conservation practices. Based on the findings we
suggest that governmental organizations and non-governmental organizations in broad
spectrum should need to focus on promoting agricultural production and land productivity,
decreasing land degradation and soil erosion by adoption of soil and water conservation
practices through provision and strengthening farmers’ education, training on soil and water
conservation practices, provision and strengthening extension service among small holder
farmers in the study area.
