Abstract:
The main concern of this study was assessing practices, and challenges of agricultural land
management in Sinan Woreda. The research aimed at investigating the types of agricultural land
management practices, the challenges that impede the practice of more effective agricultural
land management and the role of development agents in agricultural land management. In order
to achieve the above stated objectives both primary and secondary data were generated. The
techniques of collecting primary data sources includes semi-structured household survey
questionnaires with farm households, group discussion with farmers, field observations and indepth interview with development agents, agriculture office officers and individual farmers.
Secondary data were collected from published and unpublished materials like research reports,
journals, books and electronic documents. The study used purposive sampling technique to select
Sinan (the study woreda) and five sample Kebeles of the woreda. The selection of the woreda
and the sample Kebeles was done purposively because it is a Woreda most affected by degradation.
The country has been hampered by wide range of degraded land in many parts, especially in
Amhara National Regional State. Simple random sampling technique was also employed to
select 357 farm household participants from the sample Kebeles. The data collected was
analyzed using both statistical tools such as percentage, mean, value, and frequency and
qualitative approach. The finding of the study revealed that, farmers have widely practiced only
agricultural land management options that are more associated with their agricultural practices
like contour plowing, crop rotation, use of improved crop and diversion ditches. Additionally,
farmers’ use of organic sources fertilizer and their indigenous soil fertility management
practices were found to be limited. The agricultural land in the study area was found to be under
serious degradation problem indicted by the development of rill and gully areas over crop farm
fields and communal grazing fields. It was identified that institutional capacity related
constraints, technical gaps, unsuitable agricultural fields and the attitude of local farmers were
among the major challenges that impede the practice of more effective agricultural land
management options in the study area. Finally, in light of these findings, wider range of support
and awareness creation, the provision of practical based trainings, urgent intervention to expand
biological management practices and institutional capacity development help the practice of
effective agricultural land management in the study area.
