Perception of Farmers on Soil Erosion and Conservation Practices in Dejen District, Ethiopia

Tegegne Tatek Belay

doi:doi:10.11648/j.ijepp.20140206.15

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Perception of Farmers on Soil Erosion and Conservation Practices in Dejen District, Ethiopia

Tegegne Tatek Belay

Published in International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy (Volume 2, Issue 6)

Received: 14 November 2014 Accepted: 24 November 2014 Published: 27 November 2014

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Abstract

Soil erosion is one of the major causes of land degradation that causes low agricultural productivity in Ethiopia. Though, it is a natural process, its rate has increased significantly mainly by human activity. The study was conducted in Dejen district, in Northwestern Ethiopia to assess perception of farmers on soil erosion and conservation practices. In this study, both primary and secondary data collection techniques were used. These includes interviews, focus group discussions, field observations, and questionnaires were the source of this research. The sampling technique employed in this study were stratified, purposive and simple random were applied to select sample kebele and representative households heads. A sample of 250 heads of households were used to gain insight into soil erosion perceived by farmers and conservation practices in the study area. The finding of the study shows that almost all farmers of the study area had good perception on the causes, indicators and problems of soil erosion. The main causes of soil erosion perceived by farmers in the study area were high intensity of rainfall, continuous cultivation, topography and inappropriate soil conservation practices. The major soil conservation methods implemented by farmers in the study area were terracing, diversion ditches, and contour plowing and cut of drain. This research finding also concludes that the main constraints to apply soil conservations in Dejen district were mainly related to socioeconomic and biophysical factors such as uncontrolled (free) grazing, distance between homestead and farm land and farmers’ low level of the economic capacity.

Published in	International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy (Volume 2, Issue 6)
DOI	10.11648/j.ijepp.20140206.15
Page(s)	224-229
Creative Commons	This is an Open Access article, distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits unrestricted use, distribution and reproduction in any medium or format, provided the original work is properly cited.
Copyright	Copyright © The Author(s), 2014. Published by Science Publishing Group

Keywords

Perception of Farmers, Soil Conservation Practices, Northwestern Ethiopia

References

[1]	Abegaz G. (1995). Soil erosion assessment: Approaches, magnitude of the problem and issues on policy and strategy development (Region 3). Paper presented at the Workshop on Regional Natural Resources Management Potentials and Constraints, Bahir Dar, Ethiopia.
[2]	Aklilu A. (2006). Caring for the land Best practices in soil and water conservation in Beressa watershed highlands of Ethiopia. Ph.D.thesis, Wageningen University, Netherlands.
[3]	Badege B. (2001). Deforestation and Land Degradation in the Ethiopian highlands: A Strategy for Physical Recovery. Corvallis, Oregon state university.
[4]	Elni T. (2008). Continued Use of Soil and Water Conservation Practices: a Case study in Tulla District, Ethiopia, MSc Thesis, Wageningen University.
[5]	Gete Z., and Hurni, H. (2001). Implications of Land Use and Land Cover Dynamics for Mountain Resource Degradation in the Northwestern Ethiopian Highlands: Journal of Mountain Research and Development, 22,184-191.
[6]	Graaff J.D., (1993). Soil conservation and sustainable land use: An economic approach Royal Tropical Institute, Amsterdam. Ethiopia: The agricultural sector: an overview, vol. 2 and 1, FAO, Rome.
[7]	Herweg, K., and Yohannes G.M. (2002). Adaptation or adoption? -Integrating different perceptions of soil and water conservation in Ethiopia. In: M., Flury and U.,Geiser (eds), Local environmental management in a North-South perspective: issues of participation and knowledge management (pp. 181-190)
[8]	Lakew D., Kassie M., Benin S., and Pender J. (2000) Land Degradation and Strategies for sustainable development in the Ethiopian highlands: Amhara Region, socio- economics and Policy Research Working paper 32. ILRI, Nairobi, Kenya.
[9]	Mekiura A. (2005). Forest Conversion, Soil degradation, Farmers' perception nexus: Implications for Sustainable land use in the southwest of Ethiopia, Ecology and Development serious No. 26, CuvillierVerlag, Gottingen.
[10]	Morgan, R.P.C. (2005). Soil Erosion and Soil Conservation 3rded: Blackwell Publishing Company. Oxford, UK.
[11]	Yohannes G.M and Herweg, K. (2000). From indigenous knowledge to participatory technology development: Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), University of Bern.

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APA Style

Tegegne Tatek Belay. (2014). Perception of Farmers on Soil Erosion and Conservation Practices in Dejen District, Ethiopia. International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy, 2(6), 224-229. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20140206.15

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ACS Style

Tegegne Tatek Belay. Perception of Farmers on Soil Erosion and Conservation Practices in Dejen District, Ethiopia. Int. J. Environ. Prot. Policy 2014, 2(6), 224-229. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20140206.15

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AMA Style

Tegegne Tatek Belay. Perception of Farmers on Soil Erosion and Conservation Practices in Dejen District, Ethiopia. Int J Environ Prot Policy. 2014;2(6):224-229. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20140206.15

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@article{10.11648/j.ijepp.20140206.15,
  author = {Tegegne Tatek Belay},
  title = {Perception of Farmers on Soil Erosion and Conservation Practices in Dejen District, Ethiopia},
  journal = {International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy},
  volume = {2},
  number = {6},
  pages = {224-229},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijepp.20140206.15},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20140206.15},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijepp.20140206.15},
  abstract = {Soil erosion is one of the major causes of land degradation that causes low agricultural productivity in Ethiopia. Though, it is a natural process, its rate has increased significantly mainly by human activity. The study was conducted in Dejen district, in Northwestern Ethiopia to assess perception of farmers on soil erosion and conservation practices. In this study, both primary and secondary data collection techniques were used. These includes interviews, focus group discussions, field observations, and questionnaires were the source of this research. The sampling technique employed in this study were stratified, purposive and simple random were applied to select sample kebele and representative households heads. A sample of 250 heads of households were used to gain insight into soil erosion perceived by farmers and conservation practices in the study area. The finding of the study shows that almost all farmers of the study area had good perception on the causes, indicators and problems of soil erosion. The main causes of soil erosion perceived by farmers in the study area were high intensity of rainfall, continuous cultivation, topography and inappropriate soil conservation practices. The major soil conservation methods implemented by farmers in the study area were terracing, diversion ditches, and contour plowing and cut of drain. This research finding also concludes that the main constraints to apply soil conservations in Dejen district were mainly related to socioeconomic and biophysical factors such as uncontrolled (free) grazing, distance between homestead and farm land and farmers’ low level of the economic capacity.},
 year = {2014}
}

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TY  - JOUR
T1  - Perception of Farmers on Soil Erosion and Conservation Practices in Dejen District, Ethiopia
AU  - Tegegne Tatek Belay
Y1  - 2014/11/27
PY  - 2014
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20140206.15
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijepp.20140206.15
T2  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JF  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JO  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
SP  - 224
EP  - 229
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7536
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20140206.15
AB  - Soil erosion is one of the major causes of land degradation that causes low agricultural productivity in Ethiopia. Though, it is a natural process, its rate has increased significantly mainly by human activity. The study was conducted in Dejen district, in Northwestern Ethiopia to assess perception of farmers on soil erosion and conservation practices. In this study, both primary and secondary data collection techniques were used. These includes interviews, focus group discussions, field observations, and questionnaires were the source of this research. The sampling technique employed in this study were stratified, purposive and simple random were applied to select sample kebele and representative households heads. A sample of 250 heads of households were used to gain insight into soil erosion perceived by farmers and conservation practices in the study area. The finding of the study shows that almost all farmers of the study area had good perception on the causes, indicators and problems of soil erosion. The main causes of soil erosion perceived by farmers in the study area were high intensity of rainfall, continuous cultivation, topography and inappropriate soil conservation practices. The major soil conservation methods implemented by farmers in the study area were terracing, diversion ditches, and contour plowing and cut of drain. This research finding also concludes that the main constraints to apply soil conservations in Dejen district were mainly related to socioeconomic and biophysical factors such as uncontrolled (free) grazing, distance between homestead and farm land and farmers’ low level of the economic capacity.
VL  - 2
IS  - 6
ER  -

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Author Information

Tegegne Tatek Belay

Department of Geography and Environmental Studies, Deberetabor University, Debre Tabor, Ethiopia

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Plain Text BibTeX RIS

APA Style

Tegegne Tatek Belay. (2014). Perception of Farmers on Soil Erosion and Conservation Practices in Dejen District, Ethiopia. International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy, 2(6), 224-229. https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20140206.15

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ACS Style

Tegegne Tatek Belay. Perception of Farmers on Soil Erosion and Conservation Practices in Dejen District, Ethiopia. Int. J. Environ. Prot. Policy 2014, 2(6), 224-229. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20140206.15

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AMA Style

Tegegne Tatek Belay. Perception of Farmers on Soil Erosion and Conservation Practices in Dejen District, Ethiopia. Int J Environ Prot Policy. 2014;2(6):224-229. doi: 10.11648/j.ijepp.20140206.15

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@article{10.11648/j.ijepp.20140206.15,
  author = {Tegegne Tatek Belay},
  title = {Perception of Farmers on Soil Erosion and Conservation Practices in Dejen District, Ethiopia},
  journal = {International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy},
  volume = {2},
  number = {6},
  pages = {224-229},
  doi = {10.11648/j.ijepp.20140206.15},
  url = {https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20140206.15},
  eprint = {https://article.sciencepublishinggroup.com/pdf/10.11648.j.ijepp.20140206.15},
  abstract = {Soil erosion is one of the major causes of land degradation that causes low agricultural productivity in Ethiopia. Though, it is a natural process, its rate has increased significantly mainly by human activity. The study was conducted in Dejen district, in Northwestern Ethiopia to assess perception of farmers on soil erosion and conservation practices. In this study, both primary and secondary data collection techniques were used. These includes interviews, focus group discussions, field observations, and questionnaires were the source of this research. The sampling technique employed in this study were stratified, purposive and simple random were applied to select sample kebele and representative households heads. A sample of 250 heads of households were used to gain insight into soil erosion perceived by farmers and conservation practices in the study area. The finding of the study shows that almost all farmers of the study area had good perception on the causes, indicators and problems of soil erosion. The main causes of soil erosion perceived by farmers in the study area were high intensity of rainfall, continuous cultivation, topography and inappropriate soil conservation practices. The major soil conservation methods implemented by farmers in the study area were terracing, diversion ditches, and contour plowing and cut of drain. This research finding also concludes that the main constraints to apply soil conservations in Dejen district were mainly related to socioeconomic and biophysical factors such as uncontrolled (free) grazing, distance between homestead and farm land and farmers’ low level of the economic capacity.},
 year = {2014}
}

Copy | Download

TY  - JOUR
T1  - Perception of Farmers on Soil Erosion and Conservation Practices in Dejen District, Ethiopia
AU  - Tegegne Tatek Belay
Y1  - 2014/11/27
PY  - 2014
N1  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20140206.15
DO  - 10.11648/j.ijepp.20140206.15
T2  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JF  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
JO  - International Journal of Environmental Protection and Policy
SP  - 224
EP  - 229
PB  - Science Publishing Group
SN  - 2330-7536
UR  - https://doi.org/10.11648/j.ijepp.20140206.15
AB  - Soil erosion is one of the major causes of land degradation that causes low agricultural productivity in Ethiopia. Though, it is a natural process, its rate has increased significantly mainly by human activity. The study was conducted in Dejen district, in Northwestern Ethiopia to assess perception of farmers on soil erosion and conservation practices. In this study, both primary and secondary data collection techniques were used. These includes interviews, focus group discussions, field observations, and questionnaires were the source of this research. The sampling technique employed in this study were stratified, purposive and simple random were applied to select sample kebele and representative households heads. A sample of 250 heads of households were used to gain insight into soil erosion perceived by farmers and conservation practices in the study area. The finding of the study shows that almost all farmers of the study area had good perception on the causes, indicators and problems of soil erosion. The main causes of soil erosion perceived by farmers in the study area were high intensity of rainfall, continuous cultivation, topography and inappropriate soil conservation practices. The major soil conservation methods implemented by farmers in the study area were terracing, diversion ditches, and contour plowing and cut of drain. This research finding also concludes that the main constraints to apply soil conservations in Dejen district were mainly related to socioeconomic and biophysical factors such as uncontrolled (free) grazing, distance between homestead and farm land and farmers’ low level of the economic capacity.
VL  - 2
IS  - 6
ER  -

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