DETERMINANTS OF FARMER’S WILLINGNESSTOPARTICIPATE IN SOIL CONSERVATION PRACTICESINCASE OF JELDU WOREDA,AMBO , OROMIA , ETHIOPIA

Abstract

This study in Jeldu Woreda, Ethiopia, analyzed factors influencing farmers’ adoption of soil conservation practices using mixed methods and logistic regression on datafrom 90 households, finding that higher education levels (OR=11.63) and secure land tenure (OR=1.12) significantly increased participation, while greater farmingexperience (OR=0.28) and older age (marginally, OR=0.54) reduced engagement, suggesting generational and innovation-adoption divides. Institutional weaknesses were evident, with limited access to extension services (38%), credit (45%), andconservation information (58%), despite 57% participation rates and widespreadreports of severe soil erosion (60%). Contrasting with regional studies, the findings emphasize context-specific drivers, prompting recommendations for land certification, adult literacy programs, and youth-focused extension services, though small samplesize and model instability warrant caution. The research highlights actionablepathways for sustainable land management in high-degradation settings while callingfor deeper exploration of tenure-gender-resource interactions to refine conservationstrategies.