DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES COLLEGE OF SOCIAL UNIVERSITY OF GONDAR DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES UNIVERSITY OF GONDAR

Abstract

The main objective of this thesis is to assess the determinants of soil and water conservation practices in the study area. It was undertaken in Chilga Woreda , Amhara Region, Ethiopia. The data were collected From 120 farmers residing in 4 Kebeles that are randomly selected from 44 rural Kebeles. The study employed descriptive research design involving both qualitative and quantitative data collection. The basic data used for this study were collected from sample households survey , focus group participants and key informants through questionnaire ,FGD guide and observation checklists. Descriptive statistics and binary logistic model were employed to assess and identify the factors that determine adoption of soil and water conservation practices. . The results indicated that both indigenous and improved SWC measures are practicing in the study area. About 51.7% of the sampled farmers were adopters and 48.3 % were non-adopters of SWC measures. Demographic, socio-economic, physical and institutional factors influence the investment of households commitment to soil and water conservation measures. The result of the model shows that the explanatory variables: farmers' Age, perception of soil erosion, contact with DA’s, education, and family size increases the likelihood of adoption of soil and water conservation practices by the farmers. On the other hand, involvement in offfarm activities and distance from home has a negative and significant influence on the adoption

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soil and water conservation activities in the study area. However, sex ,labor shortage, livestock number, farm size ,training access and credit services were not statistically significant in the model. In order to improve SWC practices; policy makers, extension experts and development agents should give more attention for those significant variables that determine farmers, adoption of SWC measures.