Abstract
This study examined the use of soil and water conservation (SWC) practices among rice farmers in Iran. A random sample of 400 rice paddy farmers in the Foumanat plain of Guilan province, who use SWC measures, was drawn from a population of 52 thousand farmers. A two-part questionnaire was used to examine the level of utilization of SWC practices and to profile paddy farmers. Internal consistency was demonstrated with a coefficient alpha of 0.76, and the content and face validity of the instrument was confirmed by a panel of soil and water experts. Descriptive and analytical statistics were used to analyze the data. Results of ANOVA indicated that the mean levels of SWC practices vary considerably at the 0.01 level of significance by groups of age, education, non-agricultural income, production costs, yield, cultivated paddies and distance from home to the farm or to the main road. Similarly, significant differences were observed by groups of family size, rice production, ownership of livestock and profits from rice production at 0.05 level. The levels of experience in agriculture and ownership of poultry were found to have no significant effects on SWC practices.
Highlights
The conservation of soil and water resources is the most important feature of sustainable development
The present study examined paddy farms, farmers’ characteristics, the use of soil and water conservation (SWC) practices in Foumanat plain in Guilan by farmers and the factors affecting the use of SWC measures
Plastic mulching can reduce soil erosion, reduce evaporation and retain moisture and suppress weed growth. This conservation of water makes the use of plastic mulch quite helpful in dry and arid climates where water is a limited resource in Iran
Summary
The conservation of soil and water resources is the most important feature of sustainable development. Soil erosion may cause severe loss of topsoil where organic matter and vital nutrients needed by crops, in order to survive, usually reside. This loss harms the farmland’s suitability for farming and reduces its ability to retain water (Wall et al 2003). AL-RIMAWI the level or organic matter, make the best use of available water and maintain the soil fertility level by reducing nutrient loss (Hudson 2004)
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