Determinants of Soil and Water Conservation Measures for Sustainable Land Management Practices at Farm Level in Bati District, Ethiopia

Abstract

Land degradation poses a significant challenge to agricultural production in various parts of the world, particularly in developing nations  such as Ethiopia. The study examines the adoption of soil and water conservation measures at the farm level in the Bati district, Ethiopia,  and identifies the implications of dynamic land use and land cover changes for sustainable land management practices. The data were  collected from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data was obtained through surveys, group discussions, interviews, and observations, while secondary data was gathered from published and unpublished materials like books, journals, reports, maps, and  photographs from relevant offices. The study employed a multistage sampling procedure to select 339 sample households. Descriptive  statistics, binary logistic regression models, and GIS software (ArcMap) were used to analyse and interpret the data. It estimates the  determinants of soil and water conservation measures. Major findings of the study include farmers with a positive perception of SWC are  7.5 times more likely to adopt these practices; extension services and farmer training significantly influence the adoption of SWC  practices; the sex of the household head, slope of the farmland, and distance from home negatively impact adoption; 75.2% of farmers  have adopted SWC practices, but challenges like labour, money, and awareness remain; cultivated land area has increased significantly:  2,879.21 ha/decade between 1988 and 1998, 10,279.26 ha/decade between 1998 and 2008, and 4,105.53 ha/decade between 2008 and  2018. The study recommends the development of conservation plans and strategies to effectively assess soil erosion hazard and land  cover dynamics.