Determinant Factors Affecting Crop Production and Adoption of Soil and Water Conservation Practices In Semein Mountain National Park, Ethiopia

Abstract

This study was undertaken to investigate the determinant factors affection the adoption of SWC measures in semein mountain national park. Case study areas were selected based on proximity to the park and from high-potential and low-potential sites. A simple random sampling method was employed to select a sample of 150 household farmers using face to face interviews, focus group discussions, key informants and field observations. The binary logistic regression model and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. The results showed that 76% of the sampled farmers used SWC structures. The sustainable adoption of SWC measures seems unlikely due to physical, institutional and socioeconomic factors. In addition, absence of clear understanding of the benefits of SWC structures by farmers, technical support from the government, and genuine participation of farmers in SWC practices were found to be main factors in the adoption of SWC measures. Thus, policy makers should take into consideration the determinant factors affecting adoption of SWC when designing and implementing introduced SWC measures.