Free Standard AU & NZ Shipping For All Book Orders Over $80!
Register      Login
Soil Research Soil Research Society
Soil, land care and environmental research
Shopping Cart: ( empty )
You are here: Home > Journals > SR > SR24009 > Fulltext
RESEARCH ARTICLE
Contents Vol 62(3)

Evaluating effects of physical soil and water conservation measures using farmers’ perception and soil analysis in southern Ethiopia

Habtamu Ermias A , Kebede Wolka https://orcid.org/0000-0002-8121-4961 B * and Birhanu Biazin C
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations

A Hadiya Zone, Mirab-Badwacho Woreda Office of Agriculture Development, Shone, Ethiopia.

B Hawassa University, Wondo Genet College of Forestry and Natural Resource, P.O. Box 128, Shashemene, Ethiopia.

C International Potato Center, P.O. Box TL 1785, Tamale, Ghana.

* Correspondence to: kebedewolka@gmail.com

Handling Editor: Iris Vogeler

Soil Research 62, SR24009 https://doi.org/10.1071/SR24009
Submitted: 16 January 2024  Accepted: 18 March 2024  Published: 15 April 2024

© 2024 The Author(s) (or their employer(s)). Published by CSIRO Publishing

Abstract

Context

Soil and water conservation (SWC) measures have been widely practiced on cultivated lands across regions but evidence on their effects is inadequate.

Aims

To examine the effects of variously aged SWC measures on cultivated land.

Methods

A total of 122 farm households were interviewed. At the 0–20 cm layer, soil samples (n = 59) were collected from soil bunds of <5 years, 5–10 years, and 10–15 years old, and no-bund adjacent fields and analysed in the laboratory.

Key results

Approximately 40% of respondents perceived soil erosion as a severe problem in their area. The respondents (70%) practiced the introduced SWC measures such as soil bunds. The introduced SWC measures are beneficial in improving soil fertility (78%) and thus 96% of the respondents were interested in repairing and sustaining it. The soil pH, soil organic carbon, total nitrogen, and available phosphorous were significantly (P < 0.05) greater in the fields with bunds of 10–15 years old than the fields with bunds of less than 10 years. The 10–15 year old bund showed greater soil organic carbon (37%), total nitrogen (40%), and available phosphorous (27%) than adjacent no-bund fields, implying that SWC can show effects on soil in the long term.

Conclusions

The results of the study revealed that the effects of physical SWC measures on soil properties can be observed after a decade of managing them.

Implications

Farmers are advised to repair and retain bunds if the erosion-prone areas are used for cultivating annual crop.

Keywords: crop yield, farmers’ perception, soil bund, soil erosion, soil fertility, soil organic carbon, structural stability.

References

Abera W, Tamene L, Tibebe D, Adimassu Z, Kassa H, Hailu H, Mekonnen K, Desta G, Sommer R, Verchot L (2020) Characterizing and evaluating the impacts of national land restoration initiatives on ecosystem services in Ethiopia. Land Degradation & Development 31, 37-52.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Adgo E, Teshome A, Mati B (2013) Impacts of long-term soil and water conservation on agricultural productivity: the case of Anjenie watershed, Ethiopia. Agricultural Water Management 117, 55-61.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Arunrat N, Sereenonchai S, Kongsurakan P, Hatano R (2022) Assessing soil organic carbon, soil nutrients and soil erodibility under terraced paddy fields and upland rice in Northern Thailand. Agronomy 12, 537.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Asfew M, Bakala F, Fite Y (2023) Adoption of soil and water conservation measures and smallholder farmers’ perception in the Bench-Sheko Zone of Southwest Ethiopia. Journal of Agriculture and Food Research 11, 100512.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Betela B, Wolka K (2021) Evaluating soil erosion and factors determining farmers’ adoption and management of physical soil and water conservation measures in Bachire watershed, southwest Ethiopia. Environmental Challenges 5, 100348.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Biratu AA, Asmamaw DK (2016) Farmers’ perception of soil erosion and participation in soil and water conservation activities in the Gusha Temela watershed, Arsi, Ethiopia. International Journal of River Basin Management 14(3), 329-336.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Bouyoucos GJ (1962) Hydrometer method improved for making particle size analysis of soils. Agronomy Journal 54, 464-465.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Chomba G (2004) Factors affecting smallholder farmers’ adoption of soil and water conservation practices in Zambia. MSc Thesis, Michigan State University, Department of Agricultural Economics, MI, USA.

CSA (2021) The Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia, Central Statistical Agency (CSA), Agricultural Sample Survey 2020/21 (2013 E.C.) volume IV report on land utilization (private peasant holdings, meher season). Statistical bulletin. CSA, Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Degfe A, Tilahun A, Bekele Y, Dume B, Diriba OH (2023) Adoption of soil and water conservation technologies and its effects on soil properties: evidences from Southwest Ethiopia. Heliyon 9(7), e18332.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

de Graaff J, Amsalu A, Bodnár F, Kessler A, Posthumus H, Tenge A (2008) Factors influencing adoption and continued use of long-term soil and water conservation measures in five developing countries. Applied Geography 28(4), 271-280.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Degu M, Melese A, Tena W (2019) Effects of soil conservation practice and crop rotation on selected soil physicochemical properties: the case of Dembecha District, Northwestern Ethiopia. Applied and Environmental Soil Science 2019, 6910879.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

FAO (2014) World reference base for soil resources 2014. International soil classification system for naming soils and creating legends for soil maps – update 2015. Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, Rome, Italy.

Goba WB, Muluneh A, Wolka KW (2022) Evaluating farmers’ perception on soil erosion and management of physical soil and water conservation measures in southwest Ethiopia. Journal of Forestry and Natural Resources 1(2), 39-53.
| Google Scholar |

Hailu W (2017) Impact of physical soil and water conservation structure on selected soil physicochemical properties in Gondar Zuriya Woreda. Resources and Environment 7(2), 40-48.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Haregeweyn N, Tsunekawa A, Nyssen J, Poesen J, Tsubo M, Tsegaye Meshesha D, Schütt B, Adgo E, Tegegne F (2015) Soil erosion and conservation in Ethiopia: a review. Progress in Physical Geography: Earth and Environment 39(6), 750-774.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Herweg K, Ludi E (1999) The performance of selected soil and water conservation measures—case studies from Ethiopia and Eritrea. Catena 36, 99-114.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Hishe S, Lyimo J, Bewket W (2017) Soil and water conservation effects on soil properties in the Middle Silluh Valley, northern Ethiopia. International Soil and Water Conservation Research 5(3), 231-240.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Hurni H, Abate S, Bantider A, Debele B, Ludi E, Portner B, Yitaferu B, Zeleke G (2010) Land degradation and sustainable land management in the Highlands of Ethiopia. In ‘Global change and sustainable development: a synthesis of regional experiences from research partnerships. Perspectives of the Swiss National Centre of Competence in Research (NCCR) North-South, University of Bern, Vol. 5.’ (Eds H Hurni, U Wiesmann; with an international group of co-editors) pp. 187–207. (Geographica Bernensia: Bern, Switzerland)

Hurni H, Berhe WA, Chadhokar P, Daniel D, Gete Z, Grunder M, Kassaye G (2016) ‘Soil and water conservation in Ethiopia: guidelines for development agents.’ 2nd revised edn. p. 134. (Centre for Development and Environment (CDE), University of Bern, with Bern Open Publishing (BOP): Bern, Switzerland)

Jie C, Jing-zhang C, Man-zhi T, Zi-tong G (2002) Soil degradation: a global problem endangering sustainable development. Journal of Geographical Sciences 12, 243-252.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Karlen DL, Rice CW (2015) Soil degradation: will humankind ever learn? Sustainability 7(9), 12490-12501.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Kraamwinkel CT, Beaulieu A, Dias T, Howison RA (2021) Planetary limits to soil degradation. Communications Earth & Environment 2, 249.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Leykun S, Teklay A, Gurebiyaw K, Dile YT, Bayabil HK, Ashenafi M (2023) Impacts of soil and water conservation measures on soil physicochemical properties in the Jibgedel Watershed, Ethiopia. Environmental Monitoring and Assessment 195, 447.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Manici LM, Castellini M, Caputo F (2019) Soil-inhabiting fungi can integrate soil physical indicators in multivariate analysis of Mediterranean agroecosystem dominated by old olive groves. Ecological Indicators 106, 105490.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Mekonnen M (2021) Impacts of soil and water conservation practices after half of a generation age, northwest highlands of Ethiopia. Soil and Tillage Research 205, 104755.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Mengistu D, Bewket W, Lal R (2016) Conservation effects on soil quality and climate change adaptability of Ethiopian watersheds. Land Degradation & Development 27, 1603-1621.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Moges DM, Taye AA (2017) Determinants of farmers’ perception to invest in soil and water conservation technologies in the North-Western Highlands of Ethiopia. International Soil and Water Conservation Research 5(1), 56-61.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Morgan DL (2007) Paradigms lost and pragmatism regained methodological implications of combining qualitative and quantitative methods. Journal of Mixed Methods Research 1(1), 48-76.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

NMA (2021) National Meteorology Agency (NMA) of Ethiopia. Addis Ababa, Ethiopia.

Pieri CJMG (1992) ‘Fertility of soils: a future for farming in the West African Savannah.’ p. 558. (Springer Verlag: Berlin, Germany)

Posthumus H, Stroosnijder L (2010) To terrace or not: the short-term impact of bench terraces on soil properties and crop response in the Peruvian Andes. Environment, Development and Sustainability 12, 263-276.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Saiz G, Wandera FM, Pelster DE, Ngetich W, Okalebo JR, Rufino MC, Butterbach-Bahl K (2016) Long-term assessment of soil and water conservation measures (Fanya-juu terraces) on soil organic matter in South Eastern Kenya. Geoderma 274, 1-9.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Sandelowski M (2000) Combining qualitative and quantitative sampling, data collection, and analysis techniques in mixed-method studies. Research in Nursing & Health 23, 246-255.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |

Sileshi M, Kadigi R, Mutabazi K, Sieber S (2019) Determinants for adoption of physical soil and water conservation measures by smallholder farmers in Ethiopia. International Soil and Water Conservation Research 7, 354-361.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Singh BR, Safalaoh A, Amuri NA, Eik LO, Sitaula BK, Lal R (2020) ‘Climate impacts on agricultural and natural resource sustainability in Africa.’ (Springer Nature: Switzerland AG) doi:10.1007/978-3-030-37537-9

Sinore T, Chernet M, Detamo K, Yohannes M (2022) Effect of soil management practices on soil physicochemical properties: a case of Wera Sub-Watershed, Southern Ethiopia. Applied and Environmental Soil Science 2022, 5370477.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Sirisuntornlak N, Ullah H, Sonjaroon W, Anusontpornperm S, Arirob W, Datta A (2021) Interactive effects of silicon and soil pH on growth, yield and nutrient uptake of maize. Silicon 13, 289-299.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Van Reeuwijk LP (1992) ‘Procedures for soil analysis.’ 3rd edn. (International Soil Reference and Information Centre (ISRIC): Wageningen, Netherlands)

Vermeiren C, Kerckhof P, Reheul D, Smolders E (2022) Increasing soil organic carbon content can enhance the long-term availability of phosphorus in agricultural soils. European Journal of Soil Science 73(1), e13191.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Walkley A, Black IA (1934) An examination of the Degtjareff method for determining soil organic matter, and a proposed modification of the chromic acid titration method. Soil Science 37, 29-38.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Wolka K, Moges A, Yimer F (2011) Effects of level soil bunds and stone bunds on soil properties and its implications for crop production: the case of Bokole watershed, Dawuro zone, Southern Ethiopia. Agricultural Sciences 2(3), 357-363.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Wolka K, Moges A, Yimer F (2013) Farmers’ perception of the effects of soil and water conservation structures on crop production: the case of Bokole watershed, Southern Ethiopia. African Journal of Environmental Science and Technology 7(11), 990-1000.
| Google Scholar |

Wolka K, Mulder J, Biazin B (2018) Effects of soil and water conservation techniques on crop yield, runoff and soil loss in Sub-Saharan Africa: a review. Agricultural Water Management 207, 67-79.
| Crossref | Google Scholar |

Wolka K, Biazin B, Martinsen V, Mulder J (2021) Soil and water conservation management on hill slopes in Southwest Ethiopia. I. Effects of soil bunds on surface runoff, erosion and loss of nutrients. Science of The Total Environment 757, 142877.
| Crossref | Google Scholar | PubMed |