Determinants of the Use of Soil Conservation Technologies by Smallholder Farmers: The Case of Hulet Eju Enesie District, East Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia

Authors

  • Derjew Fentie Nurie Debremarkos Unversity
  • Bekabil Fufa Department of Agricultural Economics, Haramaya University
  • Wagayehu Bekele Dire-dewa University

Abstract

This study is examined the socio- economic, institutional and technical factors that determine the use of improved soil conservation technologies in East Gojjam Zone, Hulet Eju Enesie district. To address the objective of the study both primary and secondary data were collected. The primary data were collected from 120 sample households who are selected from 4 Peasant Associations (PAs) in Hult Eju Enesie district proportionately and randomly of which 118 sample households possessing 382 farm plots were used for the analysis. Two-limit Tobit model was used to estimate factors that affect the use of improved soil conservation technologies. In addition descriptive statistics were also used as deemed necessary. The results of this study indicated that educational level of the household head; extension contact; and slope of the plot positively and significantly affect farmers' conservation decision and the extent of use of improved soil conservation technologies. Whereas, distance of the plot from residence, livestock holding and fertility of farm plot affect negatively and significantly farmers' conservation decision and the extent of use of improved soil conservation technologies. Thus, the important recommendations which are found to be of paramount importance from the findings of this study include: strategies which focus on enhancing the willingness and /or ability of farmers should be adopted, strengthen learning opportunities through facilitating the establishment of farmers training center and their operation in rural areas of the administration, strengthen the extension contact between farmers and development agents and the need to providing farmers with information on long term impact of soil erosion on the present fertile plots.

 

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Published

2013-10-14

Issue

Vol. 1 No. 4 (2013): October 2013

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How to Cite

Determinants of the Use of Soil Conservation Technologies by Smallholder Farmers: The Case of Hulet Eju Enesie District, East Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia. (2013). Asian Journal of Agriculture and Food Sciences, 1(4). https://ajouronline.com/index.php/AJAFS/article/view/163