Towards Integrated Soil Erossion Management in Elfeta District, West Shoa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Abstract

Soil degradation is one of the most serious environmental problems in Ethiopia. The prevalence of traditional agricultural land use and the absence of appropriate resource management often result in the degradation of natural soil fertility in the country. This has important implications for soil productivity, household food security, and poverty in major areas of the country. The main objective of this research is to assess farmers’ soil erosion management practices and forward integration of these practices. Primary data utilized were mainly collected from 144 sample respondent’s selected using systematic random sampling from two rural villages of Elfeta district, West Shoa zone of Oromia regional state. Semi structured interview schedule, Focus group discussion, personal observation and life history method were used to collect primary data. Moreover, secondary data were collected from review of various literatures, office reports, journals and manuals. Simple descriptive statistics like, mean, percentage and frequencies as well as comparative statistics like chi-square were used for analytical purpose. The result of the study indicate that 39%, 27% and 11% of sampled respondents implement contour plowing, cultural ditches and cut off drain respectively. These measures were more of traditional type of soil conservation and the effort to implement integrated soil erosion management practice were reported to be minimal. Government effort in addressing soil erosion problem since 2011in the area were little bit worrisome as the intervention shows no change in soil conservation among local farmers in the area. Forestation and reforestation, which have curative and protective value; farming system which conserve the natural resource base and at the same time raise productivity like intercropping and relay or sequential cropping; crop rotation; integration of livestock farming with arable cultivation; the cut and carry method of using degraded pasture, controlled grazing and tethering; widespread use of semi-permanent crops like enset (false banana) and volunteering crops, such as legumes and sweet potatoes were few of integrated soil erosion management practices should be given special attention in the area

Keywords: Soil Erosion, Integrated, soil erosion management practices, Elfeta District