ASSESSMENT OF SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION PRACTICES IN SODO ZURIA DISTRICT,WOLITA ZONE, SNNPR

Abstract

The study was conducted in Soddo Zuria District, Wolita Zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia. Soil erosion, over grazing and over cultivation was the most common problem in the study area. The objective of the study is assessment of soil and water conservation practices .Cross sectional study design was used and purposive sampling technique used to select the study area .The Kebeles stratified into two based on their agro ecology. Two kebeles were selected by simple random sampling. 324 households were selected. For house hold survey through Household survey, FGD, key informant interview and field observation were used to get primary data. And also different documents, journal articles and reports were used as secondary data. In the study area farmers used both traditional and improved swc measures i.e. physical measures like soil bund, contour farming, as well as biological methods like planting trees, grass strips, area closure and agronomic measures like leaving crop residues in the field/mulching. Lack of knowledge to apply swc methods, narrow farm size, and crop destroy pests in the structural swc measures and technical challenges at selection of technology were challenges of swc works in the study area. Farmers get extension education from public meetings, peer group farmers, kebele extension agents, development agents and electronic media. Chi-squre and t-test were used to measure the association between the variables and swc practices. According to the t-test and chi-square- test result, the sex, education level, farm size and extension contact was significantly affects the adoption of swc technologies at less than 1% significant level. Age, family size and marital status of the the house hold head was no significant at 0.286, 0.545 and 0.387siginificacnt levels. To sustain swc works select best technology that favorable for the agro ecology of the area, give attention for structural swc works and maintain regularly and give lessons about swc practices was important to manage soil and water in Dega kebele and protect community level swc works like planted trees, community ponds,water diversion canals with regular maintainance is important in Woina Dega keble.