ASSESSMENT OF SOIL CONSERVATION PRACTICES AMONG SUBSISTENCE FARMERS IN HORO DISTRICT, WESTERN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The study area is found in Horo Guduru Wollega Zone, Western Ethiopia. It is located between 9 0 30 ‘ 15 ‘’ N to 9 0 45’15’’ N latitude, and 37 0 05 ‘ 00’’ E to 37 0 15’05’’E longitude. This research attempts to Assessment of SCPs among Subsistence Farmers in Horo District, Western Ethiopia. As resource degradation is a critical problem, conservation issues have become vital in Ethiopia. Soil erosion has been environmental problems for a long period of time in the study area, perhaps, causing environmental problems such as desertification, soil fertility reduction, depletion of productive resources, agricultural land deterioration, food insecurity, damage of public properties, etc. Thus, the study is to identify the determinant factors that affect CUSCMs in Horo District, Western Ethiopia. Stratified and systematic random sampling techniques were employed to reach at the final unit of sample size. Study area is five kebeles in the Horo woreda were selected by agro-ecologies zone and household heads. From this sample, the data required for this study were obtained from both primary and secondary data sources. A total of 181 households were interviewed, field observation and questionnaire was undertaken through transect walks. Qualitative primary data was analyzed by using qualitative techniques (verbal description). Data was analyzed using descriptive statistics, quantitative primary data, SPSS, Pearson Correlation coefficient of the techniques. In addition, Simple linear regression models were employed to analyze the influence of independent variables on dependent variables. The finding indicated Farmer’s positive attitude (PSTVATDE) towards SCPs, farmer’s perception of effectiveness (PEREFCTVNESS) of SCPs, farmers’ participation in SC training (TRNNG), high erosion problem (HERPRBLM) on farm land, level of contact with development agent (DAVST), steep slope (STEPSLP), farmer’s perception of erosion as problem (PERCEROSN), educational level (EDCTNALLVL) and land certificate (LNDCRTFCTE) have a significant positive in fluence on farmers’ CUSCMs. High plot productivity (HIGHPLTPRDCVTY), farming experience (FRMNGEXPENCE), application of inorganic fertilizer (APCINOFERTLZR), farm land size (FARMSIZE), and age (AGE) of the house hold head have insignificant positive influence on farmers CUSCMs. Other explanatory variables such as gender (SEX), family size (FAMLYSIZE) have an insignificant negative influence on farmer’s CUSCMs. On the other hand, ISCPs have integration with other MSCPs.