Sustainable Agricultural Management of Land Using Technology for Soil and Water Conservation within the Central Rift Valley, Central Ethiopia

Abstract

Ethiopia has used several techniques for conserving water and soil. However, different sociocultural and technical problems have been affecting their implementation. The study is aimed at assessing sustainable agricultural management of land implementations through traditional and modern conservation of soil and water technologies in the central Rift Valley, Ethiopia. The research approach used was a descriptive survey using a cross-sectional research design. Household heads were chosen at random from the three kebeles, while representatives were chosen using a proportionate sample technique. Furthermore, kebeles and key informants were selected by using a purposive sampling technique. Data were collected through questionnaires, key informant interviews, and field observation. The results show that both traditional and contemporary methods for conserving soil and water have advantages and disadvantages of their own, and some of them have been combined. A number of factors, including age, family size, education, topography, distance from the homestead, income, and the availability of training, have a big impact on whether or not soil and water conservation methods are adopted. The majority of farmers use mixed farming followed by crop production to meet their livelihood needs. The most widely implemented physical measure was terracing, followed by stone bunds. The farmers practiced traditional waterways, furrows, check dams, terracing, and stone bunds as traditional conservation practices. Agroforestry, followed by grass strip and area closure, was the most commonly implemented vegetative measure. Besides, animal manure, followed by animal parking, was the most implemented agronomic measure. The concerned stakeholders need to pay more attention to community mobilization for the conservation, upkeep, and development of traditional and modern soil and water conservation structures. In order to employ traditional and contemporary soil and water conservation measures for sustainable agricultural land management practices, experts need to instruct the local farmers.