ADOPTION AND CONTINUED USE OF NEW SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION MEASURES IN HARARGHE HIGHLAND: THE CASE OF GOBENSA WATERSHED, EASTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

As resource degradation is a critical problem, conservation issues have become vital in Ethiopia. However, adoption and continuous (sustainable) use of new SWC measures by farmers has its own problems. The objective of this study is to investigate factors affecting adoption and continued use of SWC measures in Gobensa watershed, Hararghe. Multistage sampling techniques were employed to reach at the final unit of sample size.Gobensa watershed and three PAs in Gobensawatershed were selectedby purposive sampling technique. Villages and households in the PAswere taken by simple random sampling technique. From this sample, the data were collected by field observation, interview and questionnaire. Data were analyzed by descriptive and logistic regression methods. Qualitative primary data were analyzed by using qualitative techniques (verbal description). For analysisof quantitative primary data, SPSS was employed. Logistic regression model was employed to analyze the influence of independent variables on dependent variables. Most farmers (98.4%) responded that new SWC measures are effective in reducing soil degradation. Most of the sample farmers (92.2%) have positive attitude towards new SWC measures. About 74% of the sample respondents have adopted new SWC technologies. About 64.1% of the adopter farmers have continuously used new SWC measures and about 35.9% of the farmers have not continuously used. It was found that farmers‟ decision to adopt and use new SWC measures is influenced by different factors. Farmers positive attitude towards new SWC technology, farmers‟ participation in SWC training, high erosion problem, steep slope, farmer‟s perception of erosion as problem have a significant positive influence on farmers‟ adoption of new SWC technologies but Gender and family size have an insignificant negative influence on farmer‟s adoption of new SWC technologies. Farmers‟ perception of e ffectiveness of SWC technologies and farmer‟s perception of erosion have a positive and significant effect on farmer‟s continued use of SWC structures. On the other hand, farmer‟s participation in SWC training and land certificate has a negative and significant effect on farmers‟ continued use of SWC technologies. To enhance the profitability of new SWC technologies, different measures should be taken. Physical SWC technologies have to be integrated with other SWC measures, SWC measures have to be made part and parcel of farming system, SWC program in the watershed should be participatory and inclusive, Development agent should provide SWC training for farmer, grazing and cultivation areas in hilly degraded lands and steep slope should be changed to enclosed areas.