Determinants of perception on soil erosion and investment in watershed management: Evidence from Awash Basin in Ethiopia

Abstract

This paper identifies factors affecting perception of soil erosion, investment in soil and water conservation (SWC) on private plots and communal lands, and then preferences of grazing practices influencing watershed management. Using data from a survey of randomly selected 332 households, we employed different econometric tools (ordered probit, binary logit, multinomial logit and bivariate probit) as well as qualitative methods. Results of the ordered probit indicate that provision of training, perception on slope of the plot cultivated, holding of land certification are more likely to influence perception on severity of erosion. The multinomial logit shows different variables affecting the likelihood of practicing a specific SWC measure. Similar set of variables were also used to test their effect on the likelihood of adopting SWC measures on communal land and choice of grazing practices (communal and private). Moreover, coordination failure, and absence of land use plans and policy contributed to poor performance of watershed across the basin. These suggest the need to establish institutional mechanisms to mobilize the youth, introducing an integrated approach, sustained monitoring and evaluation of achievements.