Abstract:
In Ethiopia Soil erosion and land degradation are major challenges that damage the quality
and quantity of soil. Soil and water conservation practice have been widely implemented in
many parts of Ethiopia. But still now, adopting of the new SWC technique is not effectively
implementing at local level. To eradicate this problem the government has invested in
sustained SWC practice. The major objective of the study was to assess the status of Household
participation on SWC practice in Yubdo district Western Wollega zone .To achieve this goal
descriptive research method was used .Survey questionnaire were administered to 183
randomly selected households, 24 respondents for key interview and Focused group
Discussion were purposively selected. The quantitative data were analyzed by simple
descriptive statistics like percentage; frequency of occurrence average, and the qualitative
data were analyzed by interpretation to give appropriate conclusion recommendation and to
support qualitative data. Binary logistic regression model had used for the strength of the
relationship between independent and dependent variables. The result of the study indicated
that, poor farm practice and household size highly affects soil resources in the study area.
Understanding farmers’ awareness on soil erosion and their status toward soil conservation
practices are important for promoting sustainable land use. Soil and water conservation
practices taken by farmers of the study areas include Physical SWC, Biological SWC and
Agronomic SWC measures on their farm plot in order to control soil erosion problem. But, all
the practices of SWC in the study area were not enough to control soil erosion. The finding of
the study also show that SWC measures will be improved more than the past, if the farmers of
the study areas: improved land holding system, use of improved technology, controlling soil
erosion and develop good extension service establishing other nonagricultural activities and
minimizing population pressure on natural resources as well as real local farmers involvement
carried out effectively. On the other hand the major challenges of SWC measures identified by
household respondents are; Lack of enough training163 (89.07), Farm land size 152(83%),
insufficient of income 150 (82%), Lack of labor 133(73%) and lack of education 112 (61%).
