Tesfaye Beshah Asfaw, MSc : Explaining Soil and Water conservation in Ethiopia

  News
  Newsroom
  Archive
  Calendar
  2012
  2011
  2010
  2009
  2008
  2007
  2006
  2005
  2004
  2003
  2002
  2001
  2000
  1999
  News
  RSS
  Calendar
  Open days
  Courses
  Congresses and symposia
  PhD-graduations and speeches

17 Feb 2003 16:00
Unit: Wageningen University
Location: Aula (gebouw 362), Gen. Foulkesweg 1, Wageningen
Website: http://www.gcw.nl/dissertations/
Promotor: prof.dr.ir. L. Stroosnijder (Erosion and Soil & Water Conservation)

 This study deals with soil and water conservation (SWC) behaviour among farmers in Ethiopia and was carried out at the farming system, watershed, household, farm and plot levels. Three unique farming systems from Konso, Wolaita and Wello were covered. It assessed how farmers respond to external SWC practices in relation to their knowledge and attitude on soil erosion and SWC. In addition SWC practices were thoroughly studied in line with the evolution of the farming systems. In the process, determinants of SWC among farmers within and across socio-economic and agro-ecological environments were identified. The study shows a differential response to the introduced SWC practices in Wolaita and Wello in spite of uniform technical interventions. This difference shows the importance of farmers' perceptions of the thresholds in resources degradation and current soil fertility management practices. It further shows farmers' capacity for innovation when they are unwilling to accept the negative side effects of a proposed intervention. This capacity is remarkable in the face of declining landholding size per family, and particularly in the absence of a food-for-work programme. The study also shows the missing element in the external interventions in Wolaita and Wello by examining the indigenous SWC in Konso. Interestingly, it was concluded that there are no variations among farmers in different farming systems with respect to their knowledge and conception on soil erosion and SWC practices. What was revealed is the difference in outlook between farmers and outsiders on soil erosion. Furthermore, the study found that farmers' behaviour on SWC is a result of the interplay among social, economic, institutional and technical factors, which in turn requires an integrated and innovative approach. Understanding farmers is, therefore, the entry point to promote sustainable management of natural resources
Print this activity