ASSESSMENT OF INDIGENOUS SOIL CONSERVATION PRACTICES, THE CASE JIDA WOREDA NORTH SHEWA ZONE; ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Soil conservation is the anticipation of loss of the topmost layer of the soil from erosion. Erosion is the main problem of agricultural soil. Seventy five billion tons of are eroded every year from arable lands worldwide. Soil conservation practices are alternative methods in preventing soil loss. Hence, the objective of this study was to assess indigenous soil conservation in the study area. Arebsa Chifara kebele was purposively selected based on soil conservation potentials. Two hundred eight five (285) respondents were randomly selected from the total farming household for the interview. Semi structured questionnaires were used to collect data about respondents demography, soil conservation measures and maintenance of soil fertility. The highest 34.4% respondents practiced contour plowing as erosion control measures and 52.6% use inorganic and 31.6% organic fertilizers to maintain soil fertility. The highest (36.8%) use compost and the lowest (14%) use crop residue as organic source of soil fertility maintenance .Peoples demographic features and indigenous soil conservation practices contributes much to soil conservation to maintain soil fertility. Hence, assessing indigenous soil conservation practices helps to know to what extent farmers use them and how effective those measures in conserving soil. Therefore, indigenous soil conservation is an important measure to protect soil erosion and needs to be used wisely