IMPACT OF SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION ON CROP PRODUCTIVITY IN THE HIGHLANDS AREA OF GUMER DISTRICT, GURAGE ZONE

Abstract

Land degradation due to soil erosion and nutrient depletion is one of the main problems constraining the development of agricultural sector in Ethiopia. As part of innervation activities a numbers of soil and water conservation (SWC) practice have been promoted to smallholder farmers living in highly degraded area of the country. This study was conducted to investigate the impact of soil and water conservation on crop productivity. To meet this objective primary data was gathered in 2015 EC from 183 SWC participant and 160 non participant that were randomly selected in the district kebele. For this study, primary data collected through structured questioners, focus group discussion and interviews with key informants. Descriptive, inferential statistics and propensity score matching (PSM) models were used to address the stated objectives. Age, sex, family size, farm experience, land sloppiness, extension contact, education, household crop income and training all influence participation in soil and water conservation practice. ATTE revealed that crop income differed positively between the treatment and the control groups. The total household income increased by 422 ETB as the result of participation in the program. This demonstrate the importance of soil and water conservation for boosting of crop income. As a results government, research institute and other stakeholders should invest in farmers’ capacity building through extension service and training to achieve soil and water conservation goals while simultaneously addressing the livelihoods of the farmers