Assessing Soil and Water Conservation Practices and Factors Affecting its Adoption in Soro District, Hadiya Zone Central Ethiopia Region

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.