Determinants of Adoption of Physical Soil and Water Conservation Technologies in Dengab Micro-Watershed, Ethiopia

Abstract

Land degradation due to soil erosion is the critical factor that contributes for a decline in production and productivity. To reverse the situation the concerned government agencies and NGOs are undertaking some measures in some degraded areas of the highlands including the study area. However, the adoption of soil conservation technologies by farmers is hindered by a number of factors. Therefore, the objective of this study was to identify and examine the socio-economic, institutional and physical factors that determine the adoption of physical soil and water conservation technologies in the study area. To address the objective of the study both primary and secondary data were collected. Three-stage sampling technique was used to draw the sample respondents for the study. The primary data were collected from 77 sample households by using stratified probability sampling method. In line with this, the combination of data collection methods by the help of agricultural extension agents’ interview using questionnaires and focus group discussions were employed. The binary logit model was used to identify the factors affecting the adoption of physical soil and water conservation technologies. In addition, descriptive statistics were also used. The result of logit model indicated that education level of household head, land holding, training, slope, land ownership, extension contact and perception positively and significantly affected the adoption of physical soil and water conservation technologies at conventional probability levels. While, age, distance and fertility affected the adoption of these technologies negatively and significantly. Therefore, any soil and water conservation plans should consider the farmers’ willingness and factors impeding their practices before introducing these technologies; create awareness on the farmers about the overall benefits and challenges of the technologies and follow down-top approach and include farmers in any decision making processes. Keywords: adoption, improved PSWC measures, Determinants , Basoliben District DOI: 10.7176/JAAS/69-02 Publication date: October 31 st 2020