Biophysical factors determining adoption of soil and water conservation measures in small holder farming system

نوع مقاله : پژوهشی

نویسندگان

1 Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, College of Social Science and Humanities, Mettu University, Mettu, Ethiopia

2 Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, College of Social Science and Humanities, Debark University, Debark, Ethiopia

چکیده

Ethiopia’s highlands are severely affected by moderate to severe soil erosion due to high population density, intense rainfall, and rugged, long-cultivated topography. The landscape, including steep hills, valleys, and dissected plains, contributes to soil acidity and environmental degradation. Settlement expansion, inappropriate land use, land-use changes, and construction activities further exacerbate land degradation, often resulting in sheet and rill erosion during the rainy season. Despite local governments promoting soil and water conservation (SWC) programs, implementation remains inconsistent, and adoption among farm households is limited. This study investigates household perceptions toward SWC adoption and identifies critical factors influencing the implementation of measures such as soil bunds, stone bunds, and fanya juu structures. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and multinomial logistic regression. Results revealed clear differences in perceptions: adopters exhibited medium to high recognition of benefits in soil fertility, erosion control, and productivity, whereas non-adopters showed low perception, indicating limited awareness and skepticism. Multinomial logistic regression identified that male-headed households, larger family size, greater farm size, livestock ownership, secure land tenure, education, and extension service contact significantly increased the likelihood of adoption. Conversely, greater farmland distance from home reduced adoption. The study recommends strengthening awareness programs, securing land tenure, and adapting SWC technologies to local biophysical conditions to improve adoption rates and promote sustainable land management in Southern Ethiopia.

کلیدواژه‌ها

موضوعات

مراجع

References
Ahmad, Z., Baig, I. A., Husain, S., Khan, Z. A., Rana, M., Azam, K., & Salam, M. A. (2023). How technological innovation and electricity consumption affect environmental quality? A road map towards achieving environmental sustainability. Environmental Science and Pollution Research, 1-18. doi: 10.1007/s11356-023-28055-1.
Aklilu Amsalu, A. A., & Graaff, J. D. (2007). Determinants of adoption and continued use of stone terraces for soil and water conservation in an Ethiopian highland watershed. doi: 10.1016/j.ecolecon.2006.01.014.
Asnake, M., Heinimann, A., Gete, Z., & Hurni, H. (2018). Factors affecting the adoption of physical SWC practices in the Ethiopian highlands. Journal of International SWC Resource, 6(1), 23-30. doi: 10.1016/j.iswcr.2017.12.006
Bedada, E., Lemma, A., Abera, W., Donis, A., & Girma, D. (2020). Assessment and mapping of soil pH and available phosphorus status in Wuchale District, North Shewa Zone, Oromia. American Journal of Environmental Science and Engineering, 4(1), 1-6. doi: 10.11648/j.ajese.20200401.11.
Belay, M., & Bewket, W. (2013). Farmers’ livelihood assets and adoption of sustainable land management practices in north-western highlands of Ethiopia. International journal of environmental studies, 70(2), 284-301. doi: 10.1080/00207233.2013.774773.
Belayneh, M., Yirgu, T., & Tsegaye, D. (2019). Potential soil erosion estimation and area prioritization for better conservation planning in Gumara watershed using RUSLE and GIS techniques’. Environmental Systems Research, 8(1), 1-17.doi: 10.1186/s40068-019-0149-x
Berhanu, A. K., Teddy, G. B., Dinaw, D. M., & Meles, B. N. (2016). Soil and water conservation practices: economic and environmental effects in Ethiopia. Glob J Agric Econ Econometrics, 4, 169-177; http://www.globalscienceresearchjournals.org
Birhan, T., & Tekalign, W. (2022). Sustainable agricultural management of land using technology for soil and water conservation within the central rift valley, Central Ethiopia. Applied and Environmental Soil Science, 2022(1), 7329580. doi: 10.1155/2022/7329580.
Borku, A. W., Utallo, A. U., & Tora, T. T. (2024a). The level of food insecurity among urban households in southern Ethiopia: A multi-index-based assessment. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 15, 101019. doi: 10.1016/j.jafr.2024.101019
Borku, A. W., Utallo, A. U., & Tora, T. T. (2024b). Determinants of urban households in the diversification of livelihood activities: The case of Wolaita zone in southern Ethiopia. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research, 16, 101193. doi: 10.1016/j.jafr.2024.101193
Borku, A. W., Utallo, A. U., & Tora, T. T. (2024c). Determinants of urban household vulnerability to food insecurity in southern Ethiopia. Discover Food, 4(1), 37. doi: 10.1007/s44187-024-00110-x
Central Statistical Agency. (2015). Agricultural sample survey: Report on area and production of major crops, private peasant holdings (Meher season, 2015). Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Central Statistical Agency. https://www.statsethiopia.gov.et/download/agricultural-sample-survey-area-and-production-meher-season-2015-2/
Central Statistical Authority (CSA). (2007). Population and housing census of Ethiopia. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia: Central Statistical Authority. https://ess.gov.et/download/population-and-housing-census-2007-national_statistical-2/.
Chinwe, O. A. (2015). Determinants and impacts of off-farm participation and support systems on the overall income of rural farmers: A case study of Umuawa, Abia State, Nigeria (Master’s thesis). Ghent University. https://journalinnovations.com/assets/uploads/doc/93cdc-643-653.16224.pdf.
Damtew Atnafe, A. D. A., Husen Maru Ahmed, H. M. A., & Demeku Mesfin Adane, D. M. A. (2015). Determinants of adopting techniques of soil and water conservation in Goromti Watershed, Western Ethiopia. doi: 10.5897/JSSEM150492
Debebe, Y., Otterpohl, R., & Birhane, E. (2025). Integrating rainwater harvesting and organic soil amendment to enhance crop yield and soil nutrients in agroforestry. Environment, Development and Sustainability, 1-19. doi: 10.1007/s10668-024-05764-2
Djuwansyah, M. R. (2018, February). Environmental sustainability control by water resources carrying capacity concept: Application significance in Indonesia. In IOP Conference Series: Earth and Environmental Science (Vol. 118, No. 1, p. 012027). IOP Publishing. doi: 10.1088/17551315/118/1/012027.
Endrias, M., Assen, M., & Legass, A. (2024). Effect of land-use types and topographic positions on soil physico-chemical properties in urago and mendi micro-watersheds, Becho District, Central Highlands of Ethiopia. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 10(1), 2356933. doi: 10.1080/23311932.2024.2356933.
Environment for Development. (2010, January 29). Green accounting puts price on Ethiopian soil erosion and deforestation. Environment for Development Initiative.https://efdinitiative.org/story/greenaccounting-puts-price-Ethiopian-soil-erosion-and-deforestation.
Erkie, M. (2016). Assessment of farmers’ awareness and adoption on SWC practices: The case of Borebor micro watershed. Dera woreda, Ethiopia. 2016; http://localhost:80/xmlui/handle/123456789/6667
Kassa, Y., Beyene, F., Haji, J., & Legesse, B. (2013). Impact of integrated soil and water conservation program on crop production and income in West Harerghe Zone, Ethiopia. International Journal of Environmental Monitoring and Analysis, 1(4), 111-120. doi: 10.11648/j.ijema.20130104.11
Gashaw, T., Tulu, T., & Argaw, M. (2018). Erosion risk assessment for prioritization of conservation measures in Geleda watershed, Blue Nile basin, Ethiopia. Environmental Systems Research, 6(1), 1-14. doi: 10.1186/s40068-017-0091-2.
Girmay, G., Moges, A., & Muluneh, A. (2021). Assessment of current and future climate change impact on soil loss rate of Agewmariam Watershed, Northern Ethiopia. Air, Soil and Water Research, 14, 1178622121995847. doi: 10.1177/1178622121995847.
Greene, W. H. (2000). Econometric analysis 4th edition. International edition, New Jersey: Prentice Hall, 201-215.
Haregeweyn, N., Tsunekawa, A., Nyssen, J., Poesen, J., Tsubo, M., Tsegaye Meshesha, D., Schütt, B., Adgo, E. & Tegegne, F. (2015). Soil erosion and conservation in Ethiopia: a review. Progress in Physical Geography, 39(6), 750-774. doi: 10.1177/0309133315598725
Haregeweyn, N., Tsunekawa, A., Poesen, J., Tsubo, M., Meshesha, D.T., Fenta, A.A., Nyssen, J. & Adgo, E. (2017). Comprehensive assessment of soil erosion risk for better land use planning in river basins: Case study of the Upper Blue Nile River. Science of the Total Environment, 574, 95-108. doi: 10.1016/j.scitotenv.2016.09.019.
Inyang, B. (2019). Environmental Degradation and Sustainable Development in Nigeria: A Study of the South-South Region of Nigeria. International Journal of Humanities Social Sciences and Education, 6(8), 33-42.doi: 10.20431/2349-0381.0608004
Kassa, Y., & Beyene, F. (2014). Integrated soil and water conservation program and livelihood of farm households in the highlands of West Harerghe Zone, Ethiopia (Doctoral dissertation, Haramaya University). doi: 10.7892/boris.72023.
Kassie, M., Jaleta, M., Shiferaw, B., Mmbando, F., & Mekuria, M. (2013). Adoption of interrelated sustainable agricultural practices in smallholder systems: Evidence from rural Tanzania. Technological forecasting and social change, 80(3), 525-540. doi: 10. 1016/j.techfore.2012.08.007.
Kato, E., Ringler, C., Yesuf, M., & Bryan, E. (2011). Soil and water conservation technologies: a buffer against production risk in the face of climate change? Insights from the Nile basin in Ethiopia. Agricultural Economics, 42(5), 593-604. doi: 10.1111/j.1574-0862.2011. 00539.x.
Kothari, C. R. (2004). Research methodology: Methods and techniques. New Age International.
Kumar, R., Mahajan, N.C., Naresh, R.K., Dhaliwal, S.S., Kumar, A., Chandra, M.S., Pandey, A.K., Zaidi, S.F.A., Kumar, S., Kumar, R. & Singh, S.P. (2019). Agro-technological Options for Scaling up Crop Productivity, Soil Health and Water Footprint in Rice based Cropping System in Sub-humid (Purvanchal) Region of Uttar Pradesh, India: A Review. Int. J. Curr. Microbiol. App. Sci, 8(7), 2679-2700. doi: 10.20546/ijcmas.2019.807.330.
Legesse, B, A. L. (2010). Challenges and responses to agricultural practices in Gerado area, South Wello, Ethiopia. International journal of environmental studies, 67(4), 583-598. doi: 10.1080/00207233.2010.503052.
Kerse, B. L. (2018). Factors affecting adoption of soil and water conservation practices in the case of Damota watershed, Wolaita zone, Southern, Ethiopia. International Journal of Agricultural Science Research, 7(1), 1-9. http://academeresearchjournals.org/journal/ijasr.
Masha, M., Yirgu, T., Debele, M., & Belayneh, M. (2021). Effectiveness of Community‐Based Soil and Water Conservation in Improving Soil Property in Damota Area, Southern Ethiopia. Applied and Environmental Soil Science, 2021(1), 5510587. doi: 10.1155/2021/5510587.
Mekuria, W., Veldkamp, E., Haile, M., Nyssen, J., Muys, B., & Gebrehiwot, K. (2007). Effectiveness of exclosures to restore degraded soils as a result of overgrazing in Tigray, Ethiopia. Journal of arid environments, 69(2), 270-284.doi: 10.1016/j.jaridenv.2006.10.009
Mekuriaw, A., Heinimann, A., Zeleke, G., & Hurni, H. (2018). Factors influencing the adoption of physical soil and water conservation practices in the Ethiopian highlands. International soil and water conservation research, 6(1), 23-30. doi: 10.1016/j. iswcr.2017.12.006
Meshesha, D. T., Belay, A. W., Tiruneh, G. A., Adgo, E., Alemayehu, T. Y., Chandrakala, M., & Reichert, J. M. (2024). Exploring and modeling the spatial variability of soil erosion in Tana Basin, Northwestern Ethiopia. Applied and Environmental Soil Science, 2024(1), 2102727.doi: 10.1155/2024/2102727
Moges, D. M., & Bhat, H. G. (2017). Integration of geospatial technologies with RUSLE for analysis of land use/cover change impact on soil erosion: case study in Rib watershed, north-western highland Ethiopia. Environmental earth sciences, 76(22), 765. doi: 10.1007/s12665-017-7109-4.
Mohammed, G., Yan, D., Wang, H., Basaznew, A., Mersha, C., & Genanew, A. (2018). Determinant factors influencing crop production and adoption of SWC practices in Semein Mountain National park, Ethiopia. Int. J. Environ. Sci. Nat. Resour, 13(2), 555858. doi: 10.19080/IJESNR.2018.13.555858.
Senait. R,. (2005). Determinants of Choice of Land Management Practices: The Case of Ankober District. Ethiopian Journal of Agricultural Sciences.https://www.semanticscholar.org/paper/Determinants-of-Choice-of-Land-Management-The-Case.
Shiferaw, B., Tesfaye, K., Kassie, M., Abate, T., Prasanna, B. M., & Menkir, A. (2014). Managing vulnerability to drought and enhancing livelihood resilience in sub-Saharan Africa: Technological, institutional and policy options. Weather and climate extremes, 3, 67-79. doi: 10.1016/j.wace.2014.04.004.
Shiferaw, B., & Holden, S. T. (1998). Resource degradation and adoption of land conservation technologies in the Ethiopian highlands: A case study in Andit Tid, North Shewa. Agricultural Economics, 18(3), 233–247. doi: 10.1016/S0169-5150(98)00036-X.
Sileshi, M., Kadigi, R., Mutabazi, K., & Sieber, S. (2019). Determinants for adoption of physical soil and water conservation measures by smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. International soil and water conservation research, 7(4), 354-361. doi: 10.1016/j.iswcr.2019.08002
Tadesse, M., & Belay, K. (2004). Factors influencing adoption of soil conservation measures in southern Ethiopia: the case of Gununo area. Journal of Agriculture and Rural Development in the Tropics and Subtropics (JARTS), 105(1), 49-62. https://www.jarts.info/index.php/jarts/article/view/50.
Takele, A., Abelieneh, A., & Wondimagegnhu, B. A. (2023). Determinants of adoption of land management practices among farmers in Western Lake Tana and Beles River watersheds (Ethiopia) as a climate change adaptation strategy. Cogent Food & Agriculture, 9(1), 2170951. doi: 10.1080/23311932.2023.2170951
Tenge, A. J., De Graaff, J., & Hella, J. P. (2004). Social and economic factors affecting the adoption of soil and water conservation in West Usambara highlands, Tanzania. Land Degradation & Development, 15(2), 99-114. doi: 10.1002/ldr.606.
Tesfaye, W., & Seifu, L. (2016). Climate change perception and choice of adaptation strategies: Empirical evidence from smallholder farmers in east Ethiopia. International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, 8(2), 253-270. doi: 10.1108/IJCCSM-10-2014-0131.
Teshome, M. (2019). The role of geo information technology for predicting and mapping urban change detection: Wolaita Sodo town case study, Ethiopia. International Journal of Current Research and Academic Review, 7(10). doi: 10.20546/ijcrar.2019.710.00
Tsegaye M. Vulnerability, Land, Livelihoods and Migration Nexus in Rural Ethiopia: A Case Study in South Gondar Zone of Amhara Regional State. International Institute of Social Studies: The Hague, Netherlands; 2012.
Wainaina, P., Tongruksawattana, S., & Qaim, M. (2016). Tradeoffs and complementarities in the adoption of improved seeds, fertilizer, and natural resource management technologies in Kenya. Agricultural Economics, 47(3), 351-362. doi: 10.1111/agec.12235
Wogayehu. B, (2003). Economics of soil and water conservation: Theory and empirical application to subsistence farming in the eastern Ethiopian highlands.
Wei, X., Khachatryan, H., & Zhu, H. (2021). Poyang lake wetlands restoration in China: An analysis of farmers’ perceptions and willingness to participate. Journal of Cleaner Production, 284, 125001. doi: 10.1016/j.jclepro.2020.125001.
Wordofa, M. G., Okoyo, E. N., & Erkalo, E. (2020). Factors influencing adoption of improved structural soil and water conservation measures in Eastern Ethiopia. Environmental Systems Research, 9(1), 13. doi: 10.1186/s40068-020-00175-4
Zeweld, W., Van Huylenbroeck, G., Tesfay, G., & Speelman, S. (2017). Smallholder farmers' behavioural intentions towards sustainable agricultural practices. Journal of environmental management, 187, 71-81. doi: 10.1016/j.jenvman.2016.11.014.
مدل سازی و مدیریت آب و خاک
دوره 5، شماره 4
آبان 1404
صفحه 191-210

فایل ها

سابقه مقاله

  • تاریخ دریافت: 15 شهریور 1404
  • تاریخ بازنگری: 12 مهر 1404
  • تاریخ پذیرش: 04 آبان 1404

هم رسانی

ارجاع به این مقاله

آمار