Ambo University School of Graduate Studies, Department of Biology, Enviromental Science Program
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AMBO UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES, DEPARTMENT OF BIOLOGY, ENVIROMENTAL SCIENCE PROGRAM Assessing the role of Traditional Land Management Practices in Improving Cropland Productivity: the case of Diga Woreda, Oromia By: Tolera Megersa A Thesis is submitted to the School of Graduate Studies of Ambo University in partial Fulfillment of the Requirement for the Degree of Master of Science, in Environmental Science May, 2011 Ambo AMBO UNIVERSITY SCHOOL OF GRADUATE STUDIES ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE PROGRAM Assessing the role of Traditional Land Management Practices in Improving Cropland Productivity: the case of Diga Woreda, Oromia By Tolera Megersa Approved by the Examining Board: ___________________________________ __________ Chairman, Department’s Graduate Committee _____________________________________ ________________ Advisor ______________________________________ ________________ Advisor ______________________________________ _________________ Examiner ________________________________________ ___________________ Examiner Approval sheet 1. Submitted by: ______________________ _______________ ___________ (PG Candidate) (Signature) (Date) 2. Advisor _________________________ _____________ ______________ (Name) (Signature) (Date) 3. Co-advisor __________________________ _______________ ________________ (Name) (Signature) (Date) 4. College/Institute Dean __________________________ _______________ _____________ (Name) (Signature) (Date) 4. Director School of Graduate studies _____________________________ _________________ __________ (Name) (Signature) (Date) Acknowledgements First of all, I would like to thank almighty God for helping me to start and successfully complete this work. I convey my deepest thanks to my major advisor Dr. Makuria Argaw, Associate Professor, Department of Environmental Sciences, Addis Ababa University, Addis Ababa for giving me constructive advice and guidance in preparing the proposal, research guidance and finalizing the thesis. Without his encouragement, suggestion and support the completion of this research work would not have been possible. I am also thankful to my Co-advisor Prof.Dr.P. Natarajan, Ambo University for his comments, suggestion and guidance from the very beginning of my research wok. I would like to express my sincere appreciation to Nile Basin Development Challenge (NBDC) International Water Management Institute (IWMI), Addis Ababa for financial support, evaluation of field work and technical support they rendered to my research work. I would like to acknowledge the employers of East Wollega Agricultural Office for the materials, transport and computer support extended to me in my research work. Furthermore, particularly, I am thankful to Ato Temesgen Fita, Ato Mangistu Terefe, Ato Tekalengi Dhaba, W/r.Lensa Dhangiya and Miss. Genet Gebisa who have supported my research in many ways. I would like to acknowledge Diga Woreda Agricultural Office staffs who have given me necessary data and information needed for the research work during the study area survey. I would also like to acknowledge Ato Teshome Gemeda, Head of East Wollega Food Security, Disaster Presentations and Preparedness Office (FSDPP) for his support in providing me necessary transportation to transport materials and men during data collection and field survey. I would also like to thank the Wollegga University, particularly Ato Teshome Takele, Ato Asfau Temesgen and Mulata Ayana who supported me in providing the internet services. I am indeed highly indebted to my friends Ato Mesfin Kinfu, Ato Solomon Bekalo, Tiruwork Aseffa, Kidane Yambo, Lebesu Bikila and Niguse Semaheng who gave support to my family when I was on regular visits to fields for my data collection as well as at Ambo University. I am grateful to my beloved Almaz Aschalew and my son Abyi Tolera who have given me moral support, strength and encouragement in completing my thesis on time. i Table of contents Acknowledgements .............................................................................................................. i Lists of Tables .................................................................................................................... vi Lists of Figures ................................................................................................................. vii Lists of Appendices.......................................................................................................... viii Acronyms ........................................................................................................................... ix Abstract ............................................................................................................................... x 1. Introduction ..................................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background and Justification .................................................................................... 1 1.2 Statement of the problem .......................................................................................... 4 1.3 Objectives .................................................................................................................. 4 1.4 Scope of the study ..................................................................................................... 5 1.5 Significance of the study ........................................................................................... 5 2. Literature Review ............................................................................................................ 7 2.1 Concept of soil erosion .............................................................................................. 7 2.2 Approaches to soil conservation ............................................................................... 8 2.3 Soil and water conservation practices ....................................................................... 9 2.4 The concept of managing land resources towards sustainability ............................ 12 2.5. Vegetative or Biological Soil-Conservation Measures .......................................... 13 2.5.1 Strip cropping........................................................................................................... 14 2.5.2 Crop rotation ............................................................................................................ 14 2.5.3. Intercropping ........................................................................................................... 15 2.6 Physical soil management Practices ........................................................................... 17 2.6.1 Conservation tillage .............................................................................................................. 18 2.6.1.1 Contour cultivation .................................................................................... 19 2.6.1.2 Mulching/crop residue management .......................................................... 19 ii 2.7 Population pressure and land degradation ............................................................... 20 2.8 Farmers’ perception of soil erosion ......................................................................... 21 2.9 Soil Organic Matter ................................................................................................. 23 2.10 Total Nitrogen ....................................................................................................... 24 2.11 Available phosphorus ............................................................................................ 25 2.12 Soil pH................................................................................................................... 26 3. Materials and Methods .................................................................................................. 28 3.1 Description of the study area ................................................................................... 28 3.1.1 Location ................................................................................................................... 28 3.1.2. Agro-ecology .......................................................................................................... 28 3.1.3. Topography ............................................................................................................. 29 3.1.4. Soils of the study area ............................................................................................. 29 3.1.5. Land use .................................................................................................................. 29 3.1.6. Water resources ....................................................................................................... 30 3.1.7. Climate .................................................................................................................... 31 3.1.8. Vegetation ............................................................................................................... 31 3.1.9. Population ............................................................................................................... 32 3.2. Farming system and land management practices ....................................................... 32 3.2.1. Farming system ....................................................................................................... 32 3.2.2. Land Management Practices ..................................................................................