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

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.