Farmers’ Understanding of Soil Erosion Hazards and Management Measures in Damot Gale Woreda, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

The extent and speed of soil erosion and the resulting soil degradation is distinguished as a serious threat to the already stressed subsistence agriculture in Ethiopia. A number of measures have been introduced and applied over time to halt the hazards; but its outcome & sustainability was not as expected. This study was undertaken in Damot Gale Woreda, Ethiopia and mainly investigated how farmers’ understand erosion hazards and concerned measures. The data was collected from 103 selected households from two PAs and six villages by using stratified random sampling techniques where wealth status was used for the stratification. The relevant data were generated using a combination of data collection techniques; structured questionnaire, key informants and group discussion methods as well as secondary data sources. Descriptive statistics with appropriate statistical tests were employed to analyze the data. The findings revealed that, majority of the respondents (95%) have recognized the problem of soil erosion and its hazards on their farm. With the recognition of these problems, farmers were widely applied introduced and traditional practices However, they have also employed other three major improved/introduced: soil bund, grass strip and fanya juu as soil and water conservation measures. The study concludes that future land management policies and strategies should target on the importance of variables such as farmers’ perception on soil erosion impacts, and control measures preferences. Therefore, the difference in such variables should be considered in the design, promotion and implementation of soil conservation practices.

Keywords: Farmers’ understanding, Management measures, Soil degradation, Soil erosion