Adoption Of Soil Conservation Measures Research Articles

Adoption of Soil Conservation Measures

Land degradation resulting from soil erosion is a major problem in rain-fed agricultural areas in India. This study analyses the key determinants of farmers’ decisions to adopt on-farm soil and water conservation (SWC) measures in the rain-fed watershed areas of Siddipet district in Telangana. Here, SWC measures have been undertaken by the government and NGOs at the sub-watershed/community level and by individual farmers at the farm level. The study is based on a primary survey of over 400 farmers conducted in January–March 2018. In addition to estimating the influence of biophysical and market access variables on farmers’ decisions to undertake SWC practices, the study includes a logistic model that found a complementarity between community and individual plot-level interventions to improve soil health. The findings also highlight the influence of conservation measures practised in the neighbourhood on farmers’ decisions to implement SWC measures.

Effects of soil conservation measures on wind erosion control in China: A synthesis.

Soil conservation measures (SCM) are believed to be effective in terms of wind erosion control. Currently, most studies regarding the efficacy of SCM in erosion control are based on data of individual experimental sites. A comprehensive understanding of the effectiveness of SCM and related impacting factors at large scale is lacking. A synthesis was conducted in this study based on data compiled from field experiments in major eroded regions of China in order to fully evaluate the efficacy of various SCM practices in erosion reduction, and further assess how their efficacy varied under different environmental conditions. Two main SCM categories were identified, i.e. agricultural measures (AM) used for both crop production and erosion control, and vegetation measures (VM) used for erosion control only. The results showed that SCM could lead to a significant reduction of wind erosion by over a half (0.51). The reduction of wind erosion under VM (0.56) was significantly higher than AM (0.46). Specifically, most AM and all the VM investigated in this study were beneficial for wind erosion control. Multiple cropping was the only practice that significantly increased the wind erosion rate compared to the conventional treatment. We further found that the effectiveness of SCM highly dependent on precipitation, temperature, soil organic carbon concentration, soil water content, soil type, elevation, and vegetation coverage. The responses of the efficacy of AM and VM to these environmental conditions also differed. Another important finding is that the lowest efficacy of SCM in erosion control was observed in regions with the highest erosion risk, indicating the greater challenge in erosion reduction in these regions. The efficacy of SCM quantified in this study can be used as an essential reference for the adoption of SCM in China and the environmental conditions should also be considered carefully when designing a SCM application framework.

In-depth analysis of soil management and farmers’ perceptions of related risks in two olive grove areas in southern Spain

This manuscript presents a questionnaire-based study aimed to provide a detailed analysis on the different soil management carried out by olive farmers in two representative olive-growing areas in southern Spain (Cordoba and Estepa), their perceptions on cover crop use and the possible influence of the different types of farms and farmers’ typologies on these perceptions. Our results show a relatively large variability of soil management, with fourteen options, as a result of a combination of different alternatives for bare soil and cover crops with the use or not of pruning residues, but with a great similarity between both areas. The results indicate a high adoption of soil conservation measures in the two study areas, with 63% of farmers using cover crops and 80% a mulch of pruning residues, higher than that reported in previous studies in Southern Spain, and a trend of lower use of these techniques by less experienced and younger farmers. This high penetration of soil conservation measures resulted in a significant reduction of soil erosion risk, as indicated by the relatively low values for the cover and management factor (C) of RUSLE, also calculated and presented in this study, but also the possibility of focusing further efforts on farmers with less experience. Our results indicate the persistence of a minor, but relevant, percentage of farmers using bare soil management (37%) and no mulching (20%), with a moderate concern on the impact of soil erosion on soil degradation and provision of ecosystem services. This suggests the need to concentrate efforts also on this cluster of farmers to enhance the success of what seems to be a remarkable expansion of the use of soil conservation measures in recent decades in Southern Spain, but also in similar areas in the Mediterranean basin.

Soil erosion in East Africa: an interdisciplinary approach to realising pastoral land management change

Implementation of socially acceptable and environmentally desirable solutions to soil erosion challenges is often limited by (1) fundamental gaps between the evidence bases of different disciplines and (2) an implementation gap between science-based recommendations, policy makers and practitioners. We present an integrated, interdisciplinary approach to support co-design of land management policy tailored to the needs of specific communities and places in degraded pastoral land in the East African Rift System. In a northern Tanzanian case study site, hydrological and sedimentary evidence shows that, over the past two decades, severe drought and increased livestock have reduced grass cover, leading to surface crusting, loss of soil aggregate stability, and lower infiltration capacity. Infiltration excess overland flow has driven (a) sheet wash erosion, (b) incision along convergence pathways and livestock tracks, and (c) gully development, leading to increased hydrological connectivity. Stakeholder interviews in associated sedenterising Maasai communities identified significant barriers to adoption of soil conservation measures, despite local awareness of problems. Barriers were rooted in specific pathways of vulnerability, such as a strong cattle-based cultural identity, weak governance structures, and a lack of resources and motivation for community action to protect shared land. At the same time, opportunities for overcoming such barriers exist, through openness to change and appetite for education and participatory decision-making. Guided by specialist knowledge from natural and social sciences, we used a participatory approach that enabled practitioners to start co-designing potential solutions, increasing their sense of efficacy and willingness to change practice. This approach, tested in East Africa, provides a valuable conceptual model around which other soil erosion challenges in the Global South might be addressed.

Modelling and mapping erosion in smallholder agro‐ecosystems, Tanzania

AbstractThe West Usambara Highlands in north‐eastern Tanzania have many smallholder agro‐ecosystems with unknown composition, management, and vulnerability to erosion. Their specific locations and spatial extent are difficult to trace by satellite images or remote sensing imagery alone. To address these limitations, we combined ground soil surveys, geographic information system, and erosion modelling to (a) locate and map smallholder agro‐ecosystems, (b) determine their biophysical characteristics, and (c) model their soil losses. Land resource information was collected from 301 random 0.1‐ha plots sampled from a total area of 200 km2. Annual soil losses were estimated using the universal soil loss equation. The study located six dominant agro‐ecosystems with the following spatial extent: maize‐bean (24.9%), maize‐bean‐agroforestry (31.2%), maize‐bean‐agroforestry‐high value trees (18.9%), tree farms (7.0%), forests (15.6%), and grazing lands (2.3%). Agroforestry and other tree‐based agro‐ecosystems dominate the area due to historical land use change and later institutional interventions. This study finds combined use of soil surveys, geographic information system, and modelling to be reliable in locating, mapping, and assessing soil losses in smallholder agro‐ecosystems. The agro‐ecosystems differ significantly (p < 0.05) in slope, vegetation cover, soil conditions, and soil losses. Soil loss in the maize‐bean agro‐ecosystem (28.3 t ha−1 yr−1) was 18 times higher compared with natural forests (1.57 t ha−1 yr−1) due to lower soil cover and inefficient conservation and cultivation practices. Our results show that adoption of soil conservation measures and improved vegetation cover technologies across the agro‐ecosystems reduces soil losses by 37% and increases organic carbon levels by 16%.

Determination of lake sediment accumulation rates in an agricultural watershed using lead-210 and cesium-137

Quantifying the effectiveness of erosion control practices in watersheds remains a difficult problem. Determination of recent sediment accumulation rates for lake sediments in agricultural watersheds using radioisotopes, such as lead-210 (²¹⁰Pb) and cesium-137 (¹³⁷Cs), is potentially a valuable means of assessing the effectiveness of soil conservation practices at the watershed scale. The predominance of sediment arriving in runoff from the watershed, variable sedimentation rates, and mechanical mixing of soil in nearby fields all present challenges in the conversion of radioisotope data to sedimentation rates. Four sediment cores from Beasley Lake, Mississippi, were used to demonstrate the application of the Constant Initial Concentration (CIC) model for calculating sediment age from the distribution of ²¹⁰Pb bottom sediments. The activity of ¹³⁷Cs was used to supplement the ²¹⁰Pb data by providing a benchmark date within the core to calibrate the CIC model. Three of the four cores showed reductions in sediment accumulation rate within the 30 years prior to core collection in 2008 and 2011 by at least 50% relative to rates from before the adoption of soil conservation measures in the watershed. The most recently resolved rates were approximately 0.5 cm y⁻¹ (0.2 in yr⁻¹). The study demonstrates the application of the CIC model for developing sediment accumulation chronologies in agricultural catchments.

Watershed management to enhance rainwater conservation and crop yields in semiarid environments—A case study at Hamelmalo Agricultural College, Anseba region of Eritrea

Rainwater conservation on watershed basis is key to controlling land degradation and ensuring sustainable high yields in Eritrea, which has only 17.2% land potentially available for agriculture. Study was undertaken in 4.29ha watershed (slope <1–33%) at Hamelmalo with a mission to store entire rainwater as soil water through adoption of soil conservation measures. Measurements were made of slope, runoff, soil loss, gullies and basic soil properties. Based on slope, watershed land was divided into block A (1.32ha; slope ≤1%), block B (0.89ha; slope >12–33%) and block C (2.08ha; slope >1–12%). Runoff was measured for 2 years from 30m2 plots on 3, 6 and 9% slopes using a 10 slot runoff divisor placed at the outlet. Soil loss was determined by drying part of the storm runoff. About 80–90% of the rainfall exceeding 20mm was being lost as runoff from 9% slope. Weighted average runoff from the watershed was 66% of the rainfall, which reduced to zero after development. Soil loss was 42.4tha−1year−1 on 3% slope and 268.6tha−1year−1 on 9% slope. Soil was stony loamy sand in block A, gravelly loamy sand in block B and gravelly sandy loam in block C. Bunding was done in block A (≤1% slope), ridging in block B (>12–33% slope) and broad base conservation bench terracing in block C (>1–12% slope). Runoff storage canal was constructed along foot of the block B land to intercept runoff. Soil bunds, terraces with shoulder bunds and runoff storage canals were most effective in rainwater conservation. Ridges in block B were unstable. After development, land in block A upgraded to capability class III, block B to class V and block C to class I, subject to availability of irrigations. Maximum water holding capacity of soils was 0.378m3m−3 in block A, 0.389m3m−3 in block B and 0.45m3m−3 in block C. Soil profile in 2m depth could thus accommodate about 756mm rainwater in block A, 778mm in block B and 900mm in block C. This is more than peak rainfall in the last 90 years. Watershed development prevented further land degradation and raised average yield of sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) from <600kgha−1 on farmer’s fields to 1930kgha−1 in block A and 3818kgha−1 in block C. Net return from sorghum crop was USD 13997 in the first year as against a total expenditure of USD 18,400 on watershed development.

Tillage and Irrigation Requirements of Sorghum (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Sorghum bicolor&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; L.) at Hamelmalo, Anseba Region of Eritrea

Most Eritrean farmers do not adopt soil conservation measures and till even sloppy fields 2 - 4 times for planting sorghum (Sorghum bicolor L.) with a view to facilitate rainwater intake. Field experiments were conducted at Hamelmalo to optimize tillage and irrigation requirements of sorghum in loamy sand. Tillage treatments were conventional tillage (4 times) on existing slopes (CTf), conventional tillage on managed plots (terraced) with residue (CTm + R) and without residue (CTm &#45 R), reduced tillage (single tillage 4 days after heavy rainfall) on managed plots with residue (RTm + R) and without residue (RTm &#45 R) and no tillage (direct planting) on managed plots with residue (NTm + R) and without residue (NTm &#45 R) randomized in four replications. Tillage in CTm and CTf was same. Experiment was repeated in year II along with a new experiment in split plot design with same tillage treatments in main plots and 4 irrigation treatments in subplots in 3 replications. Irrigation treatments were rainfed (I0), 70 mm irrigation at 50% depletion of soil moisture in CTm &#45 R from 1 m profile after end of monsoon (I1), 70 mm irrigation 7 days after irrigation in I1 (I2), and 70 mm irrigation 7 days after irrigation in I2 (I3). Bulk density increased and infiltration rates decreased by harvesting due to tillage but changes were lower in residue plots of NT and RT than CT. Optimum soil moisture for emergence of sorghum was within 0.145 ± 0.002 m3 m-3 at which soil strength was well below critical level for root growth. Soil strength in tilled layer due to intermittent wetting and drying following planting exceeded 2000 k Pa when dried below 0.143 m3 m-3 moisture. Soil profile in CTf did not recharge by rainfall even by end of the rainy season, whereas it was fully wetted in level and terraced plots. Conservation measures resulted 80 - 150 mm of residual moisture per 2 m of soil profile at sorghum harvesting. Residual moisture was relatively more in residue and irrigated plots than in nonresidue and CTf plots. Soil bunding and levelling alone raised sorghum yields in RT + R to 2887 kg ha-1 under rainfed and 3980 kg ha-1 under 70 mm irrigation 21 days after last rainfall of the season (I1). Corresponding yields in CTf were 501 kg ha-1 under rainfed and 1161 kg ha-1 under irrigation. Single preplanting tillage 4 days after heavy rainfall (RT) was as good as 2 - 4 tillage (CT) practiced by farmers. Sorghum yields in Hamelmalo could be about 2752 kg ha-1 by water use of 344 mm and 4009 kg ha-1 by 432 mm. Water use in CTf was lowest (208 mm) under rainfed.

Adoption of soil conservation practices in North Achefer District, Northwest Ethiopia

Land degradation in the form of soil erosion presents a threat to food security and sustainability of agricultural production in Ethiopia. In response, governments and development agencies have invested substantial resources to conserve soil. However, the efforts put toward to conserve soil have failed to meet the anticipated objectives. Hence, the study was carried out to investigate the factors that are affecting the adoption of soil conservation measures in North Achefer District. The data were collected from 121 households by the use of household survey, focus group discussion, and key informant’s interview. Descriptive, inferential, and binary logistic regression models were employed to analyze the factors determining adoption of soil conservation measures in the study area. The most important factors affecting the adoption of soil conservation were age, farmers’ level of perception on soil erosion, family size and labor availability, livestock holding, farm size, farmers’ contact with development ag...

UNDERSTANDING SOIL CONSERVATION DECISION OF FARMERS IN THE GEDEB WATERSHED, ETHIOPIA

ABSTRACTThe aim of this study was to investigate the main factors that influence smallholders' adoption decision of soil conservation measures in the Gedeb watershed. Data from 498 household heads who live in the three districts of the watershed were analysed using the binary logistic regression model. We find that farmers need adequate cash to invest in soil conservation measures. Moreover, farmers would be more encouraged to implement soil conservation measures when they have larger areas of cropland. We explore the possibility that when farmers presume that they have fertile land, they exploit their land more. This hints at the need for extension advice about the benefit of sustainable use of farmers' cropland so that they can maintain their land and pass it on to the future generation. Farmers' awareness about the benefit of land management practices and recognition of the problem erosion is causing on their crop land are central to their decision to adopt soil conservation measures. Furthermore, to adopt these measures, farmers have to be convinced about the effectiveness of these measures. Thus, awareness creation and demonstration of the effectiveness of these measures is essential. Because of the transboundary nature of the problem, policy makers in downstream countries that are suffering from the off‐site impact (e.g. Sudan) would benefit from the information provided and support efforts in the implementation of soil conservation measures. Copyright © 2013 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

A software coupling approach to assess low-cost soil conservation strategies for highland agriculture in Vietnam

Soil degradation is an environmental process mainly caused by land use decision-makers that has substantial feedback effects on livelihoods and the environment. To capture these feedback effects and the resulting human-environment interactions, we used an agent-based modeling approach to couple two software packages that simulate soil, water and plant dynamics (LUCIA), and farm decision-making (MP-MAS). We show that such a software coupling approach has advantages over hard-coded model integration as applied by most other comparable studies, as it facilitates combining of increasingly sophisticated individual models and can achieve a well-balanced representation of agricultural systems. Using a numerical application for a small mountainous watershed in northwest Vietnam we show the challenges in model coupling, calibration and partial validation, and explore the properties of the coupled model system. Scenario analysis covering the introduction of low-cost soil conservation techniques indicates that some of these techniques would have an impact on soil erosion, maize productivity and household income levels in the study catchment area under current conditions. However, maize yields and the adoption of soil conservation appear to be sensitive to the price of mineral fertilizers, with lower fertilizer prices impeding the adoption of soil conservation measures. The software coupling approach was able to capture interactions between decision-makers and natural resources, as well as the level of spatial variability, in more detail than the individual models. Still, the greater number of endogenous variables and thus degrees of freedom increased the importance of validation and testing parameter sensitivity of the results.

The dynamics of soil redistribution and the implications for soil organic carbon accounting in agricultural south‐eastern Australia

AbstractAnthropogenically induced change in soil redistribution plays an important role in the soil organic carbon (SOC) budget. Uncertainty of its impact is large because of the dearth of recent soil redistribution estimates concomitant with changing land use and management practices. An Australian national survey used the artificial radionuclide caesium‐137 (137Cs) to estimate net (1950s–1990) soil redistribution. South‐eastern Australia showed a median net soil loss of 9.7 t ha−1 yr−1. We resurveyed the region using the same 137Cs technique and found a median net (1990–2010) soil gain of 3.9 t ha−1 yr−1 with an interquartile range from −1.6 t ha−1 yr−1 to +10.7 t ha−1 yr−1. Despite this variation, soil erosion across the region has declined as a likely consequence of the widespread adoption of soil conservation measures over the last ca 30 years. The implication of omitted soil redistribution dynamics in SOC accounting is to increase uncertainty and diminish its accuracy.

Análisis económico de la erosión del suelo: Valoración de los efectos externos en la cuenca del Alto Genil

The paper presents the economic evaluation of the soil erosion off-farm effects by means of the Choice Experiment method. After a review of the main studies that consider, under a socio-economic point of view, the soil erosion problem an application of the choice experiment to monetary evaluation of the off-farm effects of soil erosion in the Alto Genil watershed (Granada province) is described. The choice experiment method allows the estimation of the values of the most important soil erosion impacts, so that to provide public-decisors with useful information regarding land management. Also, the welfare change experimented by citizens, due to the implementation of soil erosion reduction policies, is investigated. These evaluations will be compared with the subsidy that the regional government grants to farmers that adopt soil conservation measures.

Social psychology predictors for the adoption of soil conservation measures in Central Chile

ABSTRACTWith low adoption rates of soil conservation measures (SCM) widespread, we examine determinants of current and potential future adoption in the ‘Secano Costero’ region of Central Chile. Randomly selected farmers (N = 140) spent an equivalent of 48 000 CLP/year (∼79 US$) on SCM. Contingent valuation of a hypothesized soil conservation programme revealed a willingness‐to‐pay of 30 610 CLP/year (∼50·4 US$) for future adoption. Social‐psychology variables from Protection Motivation Theory (PMT; response efficacy, perceived barriers) were used to predict current and potential future adoption. Current spending on SCM is influenced by perceptions of (1) erosion problem severity, (2) response efficacy of SCM, (3) farming problems and (4) barriers (lack of labour and draught animals). In addition, farm size and education were significant predictors. Willingness‐to‐pay for future adoption of SCM is influenced by farmer perception of (1) response efficacy of SCM, and (2) community support to the programme as well as farm size, age and gender. Our results suggest that formal psychometric scale development for social‐psychology predictors for the adoption of SCM, e.g. based on PMT, is a promising avenue for the analysis of soil conservation decisions. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Effect of Socio-Economic Factors on Adoption of Soil Conservation Measures in Kurundu Oya Sub Catchment

Human induced soil erosion continues to be a major issue in terms of crop production and river water quality of the Upper Mahaweli Catchment Area (UMCA). Although the direct causes of soil erosion are well known, the underlying root causes are embedded in socio-economic conditions in the society. Many researchers have pointed out that the problem of low adoption is associated with incompatibility of the technology with the prevailing socio-economic condition of the community. Therefore, an attempt was made to identify the constraints to adopt soil conservation measures in the study area. The study consisted of three steps including a questionnaire survey, in depth interviews and transects walks. According to the results of the study, the investment on soil conservation measures is likely to increase with the farm income, level of awareness and the ownership security of the land. It was identified that even the encroachers (people who encroached the state lands) can be mobilized towards soil conservation to a certain extent through awareness programs. The capacity of the extension service has to be strengthened in order to make the farming community aware of soil conservation. Land alienation programs could make effective changes in soil conservation by giving social values to the land owner through a more secure land tenure system. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.4038/tar.v21i1.2587 Tropical Agricultural Research Vol. 21(1): 62-72 (2009)

Assessment of integrated soil and water conservation measures on key soil properties in South Gonder, North-Western Highlands of Ethiopia

Land degradation caused by erosion was an environmental threat that hampered agricultural production and the causes include: over cultivation, overgrazing, overpopulation and deforestation. Loss of productive land undermined rural livelihoods and national food security. The major factors discouraged farmers adoption of soil conservation measures were labour shortage, land tenure uncertainty, fitness of structures and the farming system. The study assessed effect of soil and water conservation measures on key soil properties in two micro-watersheds of Farta Wereda of South Gonder. Data analyzed using different soft wares. The results revealed that soil chemical and physical properties: soil organic matter, total N, available phosphorous (P), bulk density, infiltration rate and soil texture found a significant difference between conserved and non-conserved. Soil pH and electrical conductivity (EC) did not show significant difference. The non-conserved had the lowest soil organic matter, total N and infiltration rate with highest bulk density, clay content and available P. Soil organic matter content positively correlated with infiltration rate and total N and it negatively correlated with soil bulk density. Cation exchange capacity (CEC) positively correlated with soil pH and available P. The undulating lands were moderately suitable for rain fed agriculture. Hilly and valley lands found suitable for protective forestry and livestock production. Further research shall be conducted for a better understanding for sustainable land use. Key words: Ethiopia, land evaluation, sustainable development, soil nutrients, watershed management.

Soil Conservation Decisions and Upland Corn Productivity: A Philippine Case Study

This paper empirically investigates whether farmers who adopt soil conservation measures derive productivity gains. A twelve-year (1994-2006) panel data in Bukidnon, Philippines was used to quantify the indirect relationship between soil conservation technology adoption and upland corn productivity. A two-stage econometric analysis was done. First, the probability of adoption was estimated. The associated inverse Mill’s ratio obtained from the first stage was used to correct the second stage endogenous switching stochastic frontier model estimation of the determinants of corn yield. Results showed that in normal times, upland corn productivity is positively affected by abatement of soil erosion. Results further suggest that farmers adopting soil conservation technologies become less flexible in their land use decisions during periods of drought, thereby experiencing lower yields than the non-adopters.

Sustainability of sloping land cultivation systems in the mid‐hills of Nepal

AbstractMaintenance of soil resources is critical in the middle hills of Nepal where the majority of the population are engaged in small‐scale agriculture. However, the causes of declines in soil fertility are complex and related to social change, meaning that farmers are unlikely to adopt soil conservation measures if that is their sole function. In several districts of the middle hills, large, steeply sloping terraces are predominant, so constructed because terrace size is perceived as reflecting wealth and status. They contrast sharply with the flat, narrow terraces characteristic of most middle hill areas. Thus, soil and water management is particularly challenging. This research investigated the efficacy of a combination of legumes, mulch and strip crops in controlling nutrient losses in surface runoff and leachate. Losses of nutrients in leachate exceeded those in runoff by an order of 202 (N), 45 (P) and 27 (K) despite the steep slopes. There was evidence of nutrient scouring associated with soil movement downslope. Income was increased up to threefold as a result of incorporating strips of ginger (Zingiber officinale Rosc.) in the maize‐based systems. The results indicate that low‐input, strip crop technologies are effective in soil and water conservation through the sieve‐barrier effect, while increasing farmers' income and hence have the potential to maintain the overall sustainability of this land‐use system. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley &amp; Sons, Ltd.

Determinants of Household Food Security in Drought Prone Areas of Ethiopia

This paper documents the determinants of household-level food security based on the data collected in 2003 from 954 randomly-selected households in major drought-prone areas of Ethiopia; namely from the West and East Haraghe zones of Oromiya and South Gonder zone of Amhara. The food security is assessed using the calorie intake, anthropometrical measures and based on household-declared perceptions about the food security situation. The Probit model for factors affecting the food security level and the Tobit model for factors affecting the incidence of food security were employed. Factors that significantly affected the food security level are agroecology, family size, number of crops grown, number of plots owned, access to drinking water, the wealth status of the household and the number of community-based organizations (CBOs) in the village. The incidence of food security was significantly affected by agro-ecology, number and types of crops grown, access to climatic information, proportion of household members with formal education, number of CBOs in the village and the adoption of soil conservation measures. The results confirm the important role of some of the development interventions of both government and non- governmental organizations (NGOs) to promote food security through formal education, soil and water conservation measures and production diversification. In addition, important factors that need to be considered are access to climatic information and strengthening the role of CBOs. Keywords: Food Security; Calorie Intake; Anthropometric Measures; Ethiopia; Probit; TobitEast African Journal of Sciences Vol. 2 (1) 2008: pp. 68-78

A Framework for Understanding On-farm Environmental Degradation and Constraints to the Adoption of Soil Conservation Measures: Case Studies from Highland Tanzania and Thailand

This article presents a simple but valuable framework that helps to generate a clear understanding of the social causes of environmental degradation and factors that affect land user decision-making in soil conservation. It is grounded in structuration theory and resonates with recent ideas encompassed by the “sustainable livelihoods” approach. The framework is illustrated with reference to two case studies in mountainous areas where officials have, for some time, expressed a considerable degree of concern about degradation. The first is from the Uluguru Mountains of central-eastern Tanzania and the second is from the Chiang Dao District of the Northern Highlands of Thailand. The framework helps to reveal the diverse factors contributing to a lack of investment in conservation measures in these two places, in a comprehensive but nondeterministic and culturally-specific way.