Convenient Solution for Convenient Truth: Adoption of Soil and Water Conservation Measures for Climate Change and Variability in Kuyu District, Ethiopia

Abstract

Soil erosion resulting from erratic and erosive rainfall, steep terrain, deforestation, inappropriate land use, land fragmentation, overgrazing and farmers’ management practices is one of the major challenges in agricultural production in many parts of Ethiopia. Climate change aggravates this problem. A number of soil and water conservation methods were promoted to combat soil erosion but adoption of these practices remains below expectations. Thus, this paper explored major soil and water conservation measures smallholder farmers used as adaptation strategies in response to climate change. A special emphasis was given to investigate determinants of farmers’ adoption of stone bund to combat soil erosion caused by climate change and variability. The common climate adaptation strategies to mitigate the effect of flooding among the farmers in Kuyu district were stone bud (49%), soil bund (24%), check dam (17%), and hillside terracing (10%). The result revealed that farm size, family size, education, perception of soil erosion problem, slope of the plot, and training on soil and water conservation are found to be positively and significantly influenced farmers’ decision to invest in stone bund. Moreover, it also came to light that age of the household head, number of livestock, and distance of the plot had negative and significant effect on adoption of introduced stone bunds. This result suggests that there is the need for increased knowledge on soil and water conservation measures and educational orientation for technical know-how. The study further suggests strengthening agricultural extension services to make farmers more informed and knowledgeable about climate change impact on soil erosion and the adaptation strategies to use. Moreover, this study suggests that conservation efforts should target steep slopes where farmers think soil erosion problem is high.