Analysis of farmers ’perception and response to soil erosion problem in Ankasha district, Ethiopia

Abstract

Natural resources, such as soil and water are best managed by the people, farmers, who use them rather than by other government bodies. Consideration of farmers ’perception is an essential issue when making decisions on soil and water conservation, and agricultural sustainability. This study analyzed the perception and response of farmers on soil erosion problems in Ankasha District, Ethiopia. 79% of farmers perceived erosion as a problem on their farm land. However, their understanding of erosion severity depends on appearance of visible signs of erosion such as rills and gullies. Educational level of the household heads and slope where the farm land was located had significant influence at 99% (P<0.01) confidence level, contact with extension workers, age of the household heads, participation in agricultural training and plot distance from the homestead had significant influence at 95% (P<0.05) confidence level, whereas, plot size and family size were found to have significant effect at 90% (P<0.1) confidence level. Raising farmers ’awareness and involving them in the planning and designing of conservation measures will increase the chances of success of conservation efforts and reduce erosion problem.