Muhammed Arega
Lecturer at Assosa University
Title: Adoption of Soil and Water Conservation Technologies in Sustainable Land Management Program in Assosa Woreda, Benishangul Gumuz, Ethiopia
Biography
Biography: Muhammed Arega
Abstract
Land degradation has been identified as one of the most serious problems that threaten the sustainability of agriculture in Ethiopia. In an effort to address these problems, the basic paradigm and approach to soil and water conservation has itself evolved over time. In recent years more holistic and land-scape wide approaches that go beyond resource conservation towards improved land husbandry and water management for beneficial conservation have been promoted using a national guideline. Hence, the major concern of this study was adoption of Soil and Water Conservation Technologies in Sustainable Land Management Program (SLM) in Assosa Woreda, Benishangul Gumuz, Region. To meet this objective a total of 156 sample households, consisting 78 soil and water conservation adopter and 78 non adopter/ non-program participants, were randomly selected from three kebeles in Assosa districts (amba9, amba2 and amba7. Descriptive statistics with appropriate statistical tests, logit and propensity score matching (PSM) were used to meet the stated objective. Descriptive statistical analyses such as mean, standard deviation and percentage were used to analyses basic household characteristics and the types of technologies adopted by the farmers. Estimates of propensity score matching (PSM) indicate the existence of significant crop production increment on average 2.5 quintal production increment per hectare in each household head that were participated in adoption of technologies in sustainable land management program value premium compared to non-adopter. The result from the logistic model analysis revealed that adoption of soil and water conservation technologies was significantly influenced by variables such as sex of farmers, prone to soil erosion, total income, land holding size, development agent visit, low Severity of erosion, high severity of erosion and slope are significantly determined adoption of SWC technologies. Therefore, in agriculture dependent country like Ethiopia, soil and water conservation is crucial in improving the livelihoods of the rural farm households. However, to realize the intended outcomes, solving the fragmented nature of land holding, motivating development agent, rewarding model farmer and developing timely fire breaker require immediate attention.