“Determinants Of Adoption Of Soil And Water Conservation Practices By Rural Households: The Case Study Focuses On Selected Villages In Toke Kutaye District, Located In The West Shewa Zone Of Ethiopia”

Abstract

Throughout the world today, depletion of natural resources is among the major or the most serious problems challenging humanity or people worldwide. Toke Kutaye districts are heavily affected by soil erosion and face a massive amount of multifaceted food production and supply problems. The main objective of this study was to assess determinants of soil and water conservation adoption by rural households in selected villages of the Toke Kutaye district. The study utilized a cross-sectional survey design. A sample of farmers from rural households was selected using simple random sampling from the four kebeles, with the number of participants proportional to the total number of households in each deliberately chosen kebele. Then primary data were generated from 356 sample households of four kebeles by semi-structured interview, focus group discussion, and key informant interview. The result of the survey shows that about 53.1%, 57.9%, 86.2%, and 67.7% of the households applied Indigenous cut-off drains and waterways, contour farming, crop rotation, and manuring, respectively. In total, 7 independent variables were discussed, and their association with dependent variables was also checked using the correlation model. The size of the family, proximity to farmland, the slope of the land, availability of extension services, and training were all found to be significant factors with p-values that influenced the decisions of household heads to adopt soil and water conservation practices. The most widely adopted improved soil and water conservation practices in the study area were planting improved tree plants (45.2%), soil bunds (42.4%), cut-off drains (36.8%), and waterways (37.1%). Out of the total sampled respondents from both rural villages, 27.0% and 60.1% responded that the major opportunities for soil and water conservation practices in this area are environmental and economic, respectively. Dangers of soil erosion, as indicated by various research studies, but it continues to be a widespread issue in the area of study. Policymakers, extension specialists, and development professionals should pay close attention to those important factors that determine the adoption of soil and water conservation practices to improve soil and water conservation practices.