THE STATUS AND CHALLENGES OF SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION PRACTICES ON JARGIE WATERSHED, IN TAKUSA WOREDA, NORTH GONDAR ZONE, ETHIOPIA BY BEKALU ASAMERE LIYEW PRINCIPAL ADVISOR: BEHAILU TADESSE (PhD) CO –ADVISOR: ASSAYEW NEBERE (MSc) DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY AND ENVIRONMENTAL STUDIES COLLEGE OF SOCIAL SCIENCES AND HUMANITIES UNIVERSITY OF GONDAR OCTOBER, 2017, GONDAR, ETHIOPIA i A Thesis submitted in partial fulfillment of the requirements for the degree of Master of Art (MA) in: Natural Resource and Environmental Management at the University of Gondar The Status and Challenges of Soil and Water Conservation Practices on Jargie Watershed, in Takusa Woreda, North Gondar Zone, Ethiopia BEKALU ASAMERE LIYEW Master of Art in Natural Resource and Environmental Management Department of Geography and Environmental Studies University of Gondar 2017 Approved by Behailu Tadesse (PhD) ___________ Advisor Signature Date Assayew Nebere (MSc) Co-advisor Signature Date Abraham (PhD) __ External examiner Signature Date Getenet _ Internal examiner Signature Date Assayew Nebere (MSc) Head, Department Signature Date ii Abstract Land degradation, mainly due to soil erosion is one of the major challenges in agricultural production in many parts of the world, particularly in developing country like Ethiopia. Even though a number of soil and water conservation methods were introduced to reduce soil erosion, the adoption of these practices remains below expectations. Therefore, the main purpose of this study is to investigate the status and challenges of soil and water conservation (SWC) practices, on Jargie watersheds in Takusa woreda, North Gondar, Ethiopia. In this study a mixed research design has been employed. A total sample size of 287 households was selected using stratified sampling technique based on their topography and their residence in to upper, middle and lower watershed. The household survey conducted using questionnaires, focus group discussions, and field observations were used to collect data. Percentage, One-Way ANOVA, One Sample and independent samples t-test and Binary logistic regression were among the data analyses techniques used in the study. The results show that the majority of respondent farmers have high awareness about problem of soil erosion on their farm land (90.6%). The study also reveals that 58.2% of the sampled farmers participated in the SWC practices. The majority of sampled farmers believed that soil erosion could be controlled with proper soil conservation measures. The results from One-way ANOVA indicate that there are significant differences between upper, middle and lower section of the watershed. The findings also show that educational status, landholding size, extension contact, and soil and water conservation training variables were found to be significant to affect the practice of soil and water conservation technologies. On the other hand age, slope of land, distance of farm land from home and family size are unsuccessful to predict adoption of SWC practice. The study depicts that different variables influenced the practice of SWC technologies, and should therefore be considered in planning such interventions. Thus, education and training on soil erosion and conservation has to be provided and create further awareness on an improved soil and water conservation practices are compulsory. Key words: Land degradation, soil erosion, soil and water conservation i Acknowledgments Above all, I thank the Almighty GOD for giving me the strength to start and go through with my studies. I would like to express my sincere gratitude to my advisors Dr.Behailu Tadesse and Mr. Assayew Nebere for their close supervision and devotion of their precious time, valuable comments, excellent guidance, suggestion and organized ideas and interest to show the direction of the overall content of the research. I would also like to thank the Office of Takusa Woreda Agriculture and Rural Development particularly, Ato Solomone, Ato Fikadu, and W/ro Zufan for their support in helping me out by providing relevant materials. I would like to extend my appreciation for all farmers who were participated in the data collection process, and importantly for those who give me permission to observe their farm plots. I most deeply grateful thanks to Ato yehola, Ato Alemken, Dr.Samie, Ato Zemene,Ato Andargie Cheru, My wife W/ro Mekedes Ferede and, Our lovely daughter Betelhiem for their various form of support which all helped for the successful accomplishment this thesis. Finally, Development agents and selected sample households are also deserved special thanks for their cooperation and hospitability during data collection. ii Table of Contents Contents page Abstract ............................................................................................................................................ i Acknowledgments ........................................................................................................................... ii Table of Contents ........................................................................................................................... iii List of Table ................................................................................................................................... vi List of Figures ............................................................................................................................... vii List of Appendix .......................................................................................................................... viii Acronyms ....................................................................................................................................... ix CHAPTER ONE Introduction ................................................................................................... 1 1.1 Background of the Study ....................................................................................................... 1 1.2 Statement of the problem ...................................................................................................... 4 1.3 Objectives of the Study ......................................................................................................... 6 1.3.1. General Objective ...................................................................................................... 6 1.3.2.Specific objectives ........................................................................................................ 6 1.4 Research questions ................................................................................................................ 6 1.5 The Scope of the Study ......................................................................................................... 7 1.6 Significance of the Study ...................................................................................................... 7 1.7 Conceptual framework .......................................................................................................... 8 1.8 Operational definition of terms and conepts ........................................................................ 9 1.9 Organization of the Thesis .................................................................................................... 9 CHAPTER TWO Literature Review ........................................................................................ 10 2.1. Definition and concepts of soil and water conservation ................................................ 10 2.2. Land degradation in Ethiopia ......................................................................................... 13 2.3. Soil and water conservation practice in Ethiopia ........................................................... 14 2.4. Soil Erosion .................................................................................................................... 15 2.5. Farmers’ awareness on soil and Water conservation practice ........................................ 15 2.6. Challenges of Soil and Water Conservation practices ................................................... 16 2.6.1. Demographic variables ................................................................................................. 17 2.6.2. Bio-Physical Factor ....................................................................................................... 18 iii 2.6.3. Socio-Economic variable ............................................................................................ 19 2.6.4. Socio-psychological variables ...................................................................................... 19 2.6.5. Institutional factors ....................................................................................................... 20 2.7. Significance of Soil and Water Conservation ................................................................ 20 CHAPTER THREEMethods and Materials ............................................................................ 21 3.1.Description of the Study Area ............................................................................................. 21 3.1.1. Physical Background ................................................................................................. 21 3.1.2.Socio- Economic Background .................................................................................... 23 3.2.Research Methodology ........................................................................................................ 24 3.2.1. Research