Abstract:
Soil erosion is a complex process that involves the detachment, movement and deposition
of soil particles mainly by wind and water but the problem is not noticed and perceived
by all farmers at the same fashion and level. Thus, the study is aimed to assess the status
of farmers’ perception of soil erosion and management practices in Arbegona woreda
woina-dega agro-ecology zone. A two-stage systematic sampling procedure was
employed to select four sample kebeles and 175 sample household heads to collect
primary data. Interview and observation were also used to collect the relevant data.
Descriptive statistics, chi-square analysis and Likert scale were employed to show the
frequency and percentage distribution of respondents. As the study has been shown the
farmers perception of difficulty for farming, desertification, poverty and economic
backwardness and increase the requirement for fertilizer as the consequences of soil
erosion were found relatively less and not reported by majority of the respondents except
few educated farmers. Concerning the perception to soil erosion management practices,
closure of grazing land, windbreak, fallowing and mulching perhaps are said to have
been the least perceived as management practices used by farmers except those who
attended primary and secondary education. On the other hand, tree planting, contour
plowing, terracing and organic manure were indicated as the frequently used soil
management practices. Windbreak, fallowing, closure of grazing land, rotational
grazing, mixed cropping, and making waterways were also another important soil
management practices but not used by the majority of the respondents except educated
farmers. Pertaining the sources of information for farmers extension agents and training
were found as the most important one. As the chi-square analysis has been shown age,
education, family size, income level, and information access were major factors that
influence perception of farmers. Therefore, continuous education, training and
disseminating information is very important to arouse farmers’ perception of soil erosion
and management practices by considering their current perception level in the study
area.
