Farmer’s Perception On The Causes Of Soil Erosion And Its Effects On Agricultural Production: The Case Of Metta Robi Woreda, West Shewa Zone

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.