The Contribution of Soil and Water Protection to Household Food Security: The Case of ChehaWoreda, Gurage Zone of Southern Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

A study was set out to investigate the assessment of the contribution of soil and water conservation to household food security in ChehaWoreda, Gurage Zone of Southern Region Ethiopia. A cross-sectional survey design was used for this specific study. The mixed research approach was employed. In this research stratified random sampling was used to select survey participants. Key informants focus group participants and observation sites were selected using purposive sampling. Data was collected from various sources using a questionnaire survey, key informant interview, focus group discussion and observation. Quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics such as observed counts, frequencies, percentage, cross-tabulation, paired-samples t-test and one way ANOVA. The result revealed that as a coping strategy of solving these problem farmers used mechanical methods such as soil bund, stone bund, Fanyafuu, area closure, cut off drain, waterway, afforestation and terracing; and biological methods of soil and water conservation practices such as chemical fertilizer application, manure application, fallowing, crop rotation and crop residue. Although it is reported that household heads participated in the mechanical methods of soil and water conservation practices, there is a problem in the effective use of biological methods of practice as indicated by some of the farmers. Soil and water conservation has many contributions to household food security. Among these contributions are; increase in animal production, increased crop productivity and production, improved grazing land, increased job opportunities, improve the forest area and increase infrastructure accessibility. Soil and water conservation used to enhance the food security status of the household in the study area. But it needs the more effective use of biological methods of SWC practices and experienced experts. Keywords : Soil, Water, soil degradation, erosion, conservation, Food Security DOI: 10.7176/CER/12-4-02 Publication date: April 30 th 2020