Abstract:
soil erosion is one of the major challenges in agricultural production in many parts of the world.
This study was set with the objectives of identifying the causes of soil erosion; ascertain the
effects of soil erosion on agricultural production and to examine the perception of farmers
towards soil erosion in the study area. To address the objectives of the study, both primary and
secondary data were collected and mixed research approach was employed. The quantitative
data for the study were collected using questionnaires whereas the qualitative data were
collected using in-depth and key informant interviews. The primary data were collected from 197
sample households who were selected from 3 kebeles in Metta Robi woreda. The household
samples were selected using purposive and simple random sampling techniques respectively. In depth interview was conducted with experts of woreda and elder persons in the selected kebeles.
Field observation and discussion was made among different communities about the causes of
soil erosion and its effects. The data collected were analyzed and presented in tables, pie chart
and narration. To analyze the quantitative data collected using survey, both descriptive and
inferential statistics were employed. The findings of the study revealed that, overgrazing,
deforestation, running water, high winds, heavy rainfalls and slope of the land are identified as
the main cause for soil erosion, while reducing crop yields and quality, decreasing soil fertility,
land degradation and reducing food security are the most effect of soil erosion that affects the
agricultural production of sampled households in the study area. It was recommended that,
government should give due attention on the challenges affected the agricultural production of
farmers and factors contributing for soil erosion in general and study area in particular. The
findings obtained from the sampled HHs and presented in this research paper still need more
studies since unanswerable questions are there.
