ASSESSMENT OF LAND MANAGEMENT PRACTICES IN WEST WOLLEGA

ZONE SAYO NOLE WOREDA, ETHIOPIA, BY: Megersa Nugusa Banja

Abstract
Land management is so matchless for land the precious natural resource which is vital for gainful
agricultural production that calls for improved and efficient management practices. Thus, in order to
utilize it in a sustainable manner, numerous management practices can be involved at a given farmland.
The intention can be to control soil erosion, insects and weeds and to maintain its fertility which is vital
to maximize productivity. There are various indigenous farmland management practices in Sayo Nole
Woreda (District) which serve as a base to carry out improved land management systems. There are
some also newly introduced management practices as well. Nevertheless, the Woreda is still
characterized by poor farmland management practices. Accordingly, this research was aimed to assess
the practical indigenous and modern farmland management practices and aspects, to examine positive
and negative impacts of each of the land management practices in terms of agricultural productivity and
environmental protection and to assess the major determining factors of adoption and implementation of
improved land management practices. In the study area with special reference to two sample Kebeles
(Samaro Qarsa and Abbichu). Through employing questionnaires, key informant interviews, field
observation and key informant dicusion, it was found that although different introduced farmland
management methods are put in practice. Traditional management practices take the dominant share to
their implementation, and some of environmentally adapted and less costly indigenous management
methods. To some extent Organic fertilizers help to maintain soil fertility with less cost on farmlands
and the surrounding environment. On the contrary, inorganic fertilizers help to achieve crop
productivity within a short period of time but maintain usually for a single cropping season.

Age, sex, number of labor forces, size of land plots, technical assistance of extensions, training, access
to information regarding land management, educational status, economic standard of farmer’s,
topography of the land and farmers’ participation on community forums and panel discussions with
regard to farmland management are the main determinants of the adoption and implementation of
improved land management practices. Government policies, sources of fuel energy, problem of properly
integrating indigenous and modern management practices, absence of other alternative engagements,
grazing and plowing systems and farmers’ willingness for carrying responsibility are the other related
factors.
1. Introduction
1.1. Background of the Study
The natural environment consists of various valuable natural resources such as air, water, soil, land,
forest, flora and fauna which are basic for human life and development. Any change brought about in
one of these components is counter balanced by some other changes in another component of the
environment (Dave and Ketewa, 2008). In order to withstand such changes a wide range of techniques
of natural resources management (NRM) have been used. Nonetheless, degradation of soils and other
natural resources proceeds at a high rate in much of Africa, reflecting low rates of adoption of
sustainable NRM strategies, especially among the poorer subpopulation of smallholder producers
(Desta 2012). Thus, in the rural area of Africa, in which most people today are employed in agriculture
with acute poverty maintaining sustainable agricultural intensification to address the universal objective
of reducing poverty and vulnerability is so challenging.

The broad concept of land management practices refers to activities on the ground that uses appropriate
technologies for the improvement or maintenance of productive capacity of the land. This includes
activities such as soil and water conservation, soil fertility management and controlled-grazing. Thus
sustainable land management approach emphasizes finding economically viable, socially acceptable
and ecologically sound solutions at a local level, which could promote participatory land management
practices to deal with land degradation. In doing this due emphasis is given to the use of appropriate
technologies (Dave 2008)).

In the current international debate it is voiced that studying of small-scale farms of developing countries
is most relevant for the design of sustainable agriculture and rural development (Akilil 2008) because
most of world’s food crop is from small farms of Africa, Asia, and Central America (Innis, 2007).
Furthermore; it is argued that increasing sustainable agricultural outputs in third world countries implies
improving the welfare of rural families and then poverty reduction (FAO, 2010/86). Improving the
productivity of assets- labor, soil, vegetation, water and livestock- used in agricultural production is
therefore central to the objective of improving African livelihoods and wellbeing in the next few
decades. Nevertheless, the urgency to restore soil fertility in Africa stems from the fact that more than
three quarters of the farmland in SSA has been so depleted of the basic nutrients, and hence leading to
reduce crop yields. Today there are 95 million hectares of degraded land in SSA leading to greatly
reduced productivity. During the 2002-2004 farming seasons in East Africa, especially Mali, Burkina
Faso, Nigeria, Ethiopia, Somalia and Kenya, annual loss of soil fertility on farmlands can be as high as
100 kg per hectare mainly due to poor farmland management (Ayieko, 2008).

As a result, agricultural production is down by more than 16% from what it was in the early 1970s in
SSA. This is both a cause and consequence of deterioration in the natural resources like soil on which
agriculture depends (Ayieko (2008) warns that unless these conditions are reversed, food production in
Africa will remain depressed. Improved land management that ensures better resource use and promotes
long-term sustainability is basic to future food production and economic welfare of rural communities
(USDA, 1994).

Farmlands are the components and homelands of the basic natural resources of the globe and in which
the various ecosystems interact with their environment. Thus, farmland management significantly
determines the sustainability of NRM, and agricultural practices and productivities of a country, mainly
where agriculture is the leading economic activity like in Africa in general and Ethiopia in particular.

Proper soil management will maximize forage and sustain production. However, land which is precious
resource, mainly in the developing world, has been deteriorated and lost in an alarming rate as a result
of poor farmland management (John and Merrell, 2010).

It is important to assess the practical indigenous and modern land management practices and aspects,
and their absence impacts on the farmlands’ sustainability and productivity coupled with environmental
protection in Sayo Nole district which is one of the victims of the problem.

1.2. Statement of the Problem

Ethiopia is one of the sub-Saharan African countries where deforestation, degradation of the soil and
impoverishment of both ground and surface water largely impedes socio-economic development (Ginjo,
2006). Due to various internal and external pressures, Ethiopia has not been able to maintain its
economic, political and social development for many years. Natural resources are particularly affected
by the slow progress in economic development (Ayeiko 2008). In turn, natural resource degradation has
been a major environmental, socio-economic and policy challenge in the country. Specifically, land
degradation due to soil erosion, nutrient depletion and deforestation has become a serious
environmental issue. Therefore, the country is facing serious problems of environmental degradation.
This problem involves population growth and agricultural stagnation because of soil erosion and
nutrient depletion.
In Ethiopia, natural resource degradation has been going on for centuries in different parts of the
country (Addisu, 2011). However, population pressure in many areas has accelerated these processes.
Pressure on arable land is growing forcing people to convert more marginal lands to arable land and this
leads to further soil erosion. Excessive deforestation often as function of growing demand for fuel wood
and cultivation land have had another equally significant implication on the soil erosion, land
degradation and disturbance in hydrologic regime (RCS, 2003).

The seriousness of the problem is obvious. Deforestation and poor farming practices which cause soil
erosion, are by and large behavioral issue. They require full understanding and sensitivity of policy
makers and the full understanding and concern of farmers. The source of land fragmentation as they
related to household size, the problem associated with lack of education and low awareness level and
the problems related to soil and land management, given heavily fragmented subsistence holdings
(Tadese , 2011).

Farmers’ decisions to conserve natural resources generally and land (soil) and water particularly are
largely determined by their knowledge of the problems and perceived benefits of conservation
(Anteneh, 2010). The responses, commitment and responsibilities required for the success of
formulation of appropriate resource management policies depend on perception of the problem by small
holder farmer. The assumption that farmers have a poor perception of erosion problems, limited
conservation knowledge and little confirmation exist in the literature that farmers’ decision are any
more or less rational than recommendations based on professional advice (Aklilu, 2006). Thus, erosion
and conservation cannot be understood without studying how people use the land and the reasoning that
guides their decision about land use (Kibemo, 2011). Traditional conservation measures are well-known
in some parts of Ethiopia. For example, the people of Konso in Southern Nations, Nationalities and
Peoples of Ethiopia applied terracing in their cultivated land last long ago. Some terraces are also seen
in the northern regions and in lowland areas where water conservation is necessary (MOA, 1986). It is
therefore, at any rate, an environmental awareness package has to be designed based on the recognition
and understanding of the existing indigenous knowledge and tradition rather than assuming that the
peasants don’t know. We may end up learning more from them than what we give them. Any training
program has to make sure that indigenous knowledge is incorporated into its package and used side by
side with what modern technology offers by way of conserving and promoting the environment (yilkal,
2007). These measures, however, are not sufficient to control land degradation according to MOA,
1986. Since Ethiopia has a wide variety of climate, from dry to wet, and also many different
topographic features one can not apply the same conservation measures everywhere, and therefore, it is
necessary to know what the characteristics of an area are where soil conservation has to be
implemented.

Many researches that have been done on the issue related to farmers awareness and attitude towards
land degradation and management focuses at national level and specific areas in different parts of the
country. And the so far identified socio-economic and cultural factors by other researchers in other case
areas may be different from the study area under consideration. Because it is obvious that people in
different societies and from different cultural groups have different cultural practices and perceptions
and other social value and belief system. In this regard, one of the main reasons for conducting of this
research in Sayo Nole is that to identify these specific socio-economic and cultural factors that may be
more required for the study areas.

Therefore, the primary focus of this research is to assess the awareness and attitude of the farmers
towards land degradation and management practices. Secondly, to analyze what factors determine
farmer’s awareness and attitude towards land degradation and management practices. Thirdly, to
determine the level of use of land management practices. Finally to identify the source of information
for farmers in sustainable land management practices.

1.3. Objective of the Study

Agriculture is the mainstay of the Ethiopian economy since more than 80% of the country’s labor forces
are farmers, 90% of the exports are agricultural commodities and one half of the GDP is generated from
this sector (Teshome, 2010). Ethiopia has adopted Agricultural Development Led Industrialization
(ADLI) Policy. As Teshome states, the performance of Ethiopian agriculture have been poor over the
last many decades. One of the root causes of this problem is poor and unsustainable land management
practices. These works mainly focus on nature of land degradation, traditional farmers’ land
management practices, soil and water conservation by government and other actors, farmers’ perception
on soil fertility change and on causes of land degradation (Aklilu, 2006; Habtamu, 2006; Pender &
Berhanu, 2008).

This study aims at the assessment of farmers’ awareness and attitude towards land management. In
Ethiopia, a significant number of studies have been done on land degradation and determinants of land
management practices in different parts of the country. It gives more emphasis to sustainable natural
resource management development, food security and for improvement of life in the rural areas. The
policy recognizes that sustainable agricultural production depends on appropriate natural resource
management, and support for peasant agriculture is taken as the center price of this policy (FAO, 2010).
Conservation and sustainable land management was not, in fact, a highlight of the original policy, but
has received more attention recently (Benin et. al., 2005).

On top of this, SARDP(2010), the direct costs of loss of soil and essential nutrients due to unsustainable
land management is estimated to be about three percent of agricultural GDP or $106 million and the
loss of agricultural value between 2000-2010 could be $7 billion, even without taking into account of
the indirect impacts of land degradation in Ethiopia.

Land management problems like soil erosion, overgrazing and deforestation have steadily increased in
Ethiopia despite there are numerous interventions (SARDP, 2010). The nutrient loss from lost soils in
terms of phosphorus and nitrogen was 1.1 million metric tons in 1995 and 1.3 million metric tons in
2005. The monetary value of productivity loss is estimated at about 639 million ETB, in 1995 and 766
million in 2005 (Backteman, 2010). Therefore, unless the present land management practices are
reversed), large areas of the nation’s farmland will deteriorate and it will become increasingly difficult
to maintain even the present low level of production (Kumela, 2007).

Traditional conservation measures are well-known in some parts of Ethiopia. For example, the people
of Konso in Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples of Ethiopia applied terracing in their cultivated
land last long ago. Some terraces are also seen in the northern regions and in lowland areas where water
conservation is necessary (MOA, 1986). These measures, however, are not sufficient to control land
degradation. Since Ethiopia has a wide variety of climate, from dry to wet, and also many different
topographic features one can not apply the same conservation measures everywhere, and therefore, it is
necessary to know what the characteristics of an area are where soil conservation has to be
implemented.

The specific purpose of this study is to assess the practical indigenous and modern land management
practices and aspects, their impacts on the farmlands’ sustainable productivity coupled with
environmental protection as well as the major determining factors of adoption and implementation of
improved land management practices. The specific objectives are: To assess farmers land management
practices in the farmland production, to indicate indigenous land management methods with comparing
of technology and outcome in development issues, to promote people’s knowledge effect of land
management on natural human environment, to increase understanding of farmer in using of
information of the study area.

1.4. Research Questions

On the basis of the above formulated objectives, the following research questions are outlined;
 How farmer’s percept land degradation problem and management practices with changes over
time?
 Do farmers face challenges in adopting land management techniques?
 What are the benefits that farmers get from adopted soil conservation techniques?
 What measures are to improve farmers adopting soil conservation technologies of the study
area?

1.5. Methods and Procedures of the Study

1.5.1. Sampling Techniques
Sayo Nole Woreda has 33 Kebeles having different landform characteristics. Taking this variation into
consideration, the kebeles were preliminarily clustered into two categories with respect to their
topographic situation (plain and rugged). With the aid of lottery random sampling method key
informants and respondent selected. Finally, out of the 33 kebeles, 2 sample kebeles (Samarro Qarsa
and Abbichu) were randomly selected from the plain and rugged topographic areas respectively as it is
obtained from the kebele administration. These different kebeles are found in Sayo Nole of the kebeles
with varying topographic features. Abbichu kebele has rugged topography while the remaining part has
mostly characterized by plateau and plain topographic features. In the same manner, parts of Abbichu
are dominated by up and down topography, whereas most of the Samarro Qarsa parts have plateau and
plain topography. Accordingly, those two kebeles were purposively selected on the basis of their
topographic characteristics. In order to select household samples from similar topographic features, a
lottery based random sampling was used.

All in all, 120 sample households were randomly selected from these sample kebeles including both
male and female headed households. So as to gain relevant information, the sample households were
proportionally selected with respect to the number of total households of each sub-kebele through the
following formula:
n = N (S)
∑N
Where, n= the number of required samples of each kebele N= Total households of each kebele S=
Total sample households to be treated
∑N= Total households of the two kebeles
S- Is the total households of all sample sub-kebeles (∑N) =120.
According to the Land Administration and Use Bureaus of the sample kebeles, total households are:
1. Abbichu kebele = 368 = N1
2. Samarro Qarsa = 270= N2
Total = 638 = ∑ (N1, N2)
Hence, based on the above formula and population data, the required sample households are drown
from each kebeles resulting Abbichu-69 and Samarro Qarsa-51 sample households respectively.

1.5.2. Data Collection Instruments and Data Sources

1.5.2.1. Data Collection Instruments
The most important instruments employed to collect relevant information were questionnaire, key
informant interview, field observation and formal and informal discussions with different people.

Questionnaires: Structured questions have been prepared to household samples so as to gather primary
information through household survey. The questions were formulated in both open ended and close
ended forms and administered through face to face interview.

To make simple for understanding, all the questions were translated into Afan Oromo in the data
collection process enumerators were employed. First orientations were offered to start data gathering by
the researcher regarding how to approach, the interview and discuss on each question. The researcher
was also supervising, adjusting and consulting the enumerators from the beginning up to the end of the
data gathering work.

Key Informant Interviews: they were carried out with Agriculture and Rural Development experts,
Environmental Protection and Land Administration and Use, Woreda experts (DAs), and
Environmental Protection and Land Administration and Use Committee, and of the sample kebeles.

Field Observation: It was necessarily used to gather primary information with regard for the current
conditions of cultivated lands, the observable management practices and the surrounding environmental
conditions relating to the management practices through moving across the farmlands of the study area.

Discussion: was conducted with the participation of model farmers considered to be appropriate to
participate, because they are expected to have better experiences and information with improved land
management. Before conducting the discussion, preliminarily, model farmers from each sample kebele,
were selected based on the idea provided by the kebele DAs.

As of DAs, the of the score is taken place on the basis of the farmer’s;
  over all farming experiences like adapting of improved technology
 their participation in community discussions about natural resource management
 their contact and discussions with DAs and their effectiveness

Through lottery based random sampling, 5 participants (2- from Samarro Qarsa and 3- from Abbichu)
kebeles were selected. The reason for the variation of the number of participants between the two
kebeles was the difference of the number of households. Finally, the discussions were taken place with
each participant individually and with the help of 5-DAs with regard to as their experience.

1.5.2.2. Data Sources

Data were collected from primary and secondary sources.
Primary Sources: the primary inputs were collected from farmers, DAs, Agriculture and Rural
Development experts, Environmental Protection and Land Administration and Use experts of the
Woreda, Environmental Protection and Land Administration and Use Committee of both kebeles as
well as the physical features of their surroundings.

Secondary Sources: they include which are published and unpublished documents and books.

1.5. 3. Data Analysis and Interpretation

The data generated from primary and secondary sources through questionnaires, key informant
interview, observation and formal and informal discussions were analyzed and interpreted qualitatively
and quantitatively. Simple statistical descriptions like percentage, graphs and tables are used. The other
data are discussed and described qualitatively.

1.6. Significance of the Study

The study is significant in that the identification of effective land management practices will inform
decision makers and instruct policy on successful food security enhancement practices. Land
management is vital to maintain sustainable natural resource management, to conserve the natural
environment safe, to sustain agricultural development and to ensure the people’s livelihood. In the study
area, as such significant studies have not been conducted regarding land management practices and the
implication on the farmlands and in the environmental situations. Therefore, this study is expected to be
for all concerned bodies of the agricultural sector, either governmental or non-governmental, and at
national level.
In Ethiopia, from many years ago, considerable works have been done to overcome the problem of
land degradation and the related impacts. Those were once considered to be sustainable land
management practices such as soil and water conservation, soil fertility management, controlled-
grazing and other land management practices were introduced. However, the impact of those efforts did
not tackle the impact of land degradation in a meaningful and sustainable manner. Various reasons are
often given for the lack of success. Among these the most commonly cited factors include failure to
consider indigenous land management practices, high initial costs which are not affordable to poor
farmers and also trying to apply uniform techniques in different agro- ecological regions (Aklilu, 2006).

1.7. Scope and Limitations of the Study

The scope of the study is delimited in two Kebeles of the Sayo Nole Woreda with special emphasis on
farmers and it is mainly confined to the management practices and their activities on agricultural
productivity and the surrounding environment as well as the determinant factors in adopting and acting
modern management practices.
Because of many limitations like finance, technological device around for example metrological station,
time, insufficient or false information from the households, and other were so many works not carried
out which was important to analyze differences of farm plots which are under different management
practices. Moreover, to reduce the influences of these limitations, the researcher has tried to undertake
intensive field observations coupled with farmers’ brief descriptions related to the variations of the
management practices within different topography, and their impacts related are the main.

The other hand no recorded data with regard to how and when the land management practices being
practiced in the study area. So was difficult to analyze into indigenous or newly introduced
management methods. Therefore, categories were taken on the basis of the information that had
gathered from farmers by researcher.

1.9. Thesis Organization

The paper is organized under five chapters. The first chapter deals with the introductory part (the
background, statement of the problem, objectives, significance, delimitation and limitation as well as
methods and procedures). This is followed by chapter two which deals with the review of related
literatures. Chapter three focuses on descriptions of the study area. The main findings are analyzed and
discussed under chapter four. The final chapter, chapter five, deals with the conclusion and
recommendations of the study.
Review of Related Literatures
2.1. The Concept of land management and Land Management practices
The World Bank (2007) defines land degradation as a reduction of resource potential, the loss of utility
or potential utility resulting in temporary or permanent lowering of current or future productive
capacity of land. It has been attributed to one or a combination of natural and human processes that act
on the land such as water erosion, wind erosion, a long-term reduction in the amount or diversity of
natural vegetation, Stalinization, or solidification.

The broad concept of land management practices refers to activities on the ground that uses
appropriate technologies for the improvement or maintenance of productive capacity of the land. This
includes activities such as soil and water conservation, soil fertility management and controlled-
grazing. Thus sustainable land management approach emphasizes finding economically viable,
socially acceptable and ecologically sound solutions at a local level, which could promote
participatory land management practices to dealwith land degradation. In doing this due emphasis is
given to the use of appropriate technologies (Hurni, 2000 cited in Yilkal, 2007).

In Ethiopia, a significant number of studies have been done on land degradation and determinants of
land management practices in different parts of the country. These works mainly focus on nature of
land degradation, traditional farmers’ land management practices, soil and water conservation by
government and other actors, farmers’ perception on soil fertility change and on causes of land
degradation (Aklilu, 2006; Habtamu, 2006; Pender & Berhanu, 2008). This study complements these
and other studies that deal with the above issues. It intends to add to the status of knowledge on the
factors that determine farmers’ decision to use certain land management practices.

The general objective of this micro-level study is therefore to identify factors that determine land
user’s decision to use certain land management practices. It was necessary to ask the following
research question: What social, economic, institutional, and demographic factors determine farmers’
decision to use two land management practices terracing and manure application in Sayo Nole
Wereda, West Wollega oromia Regional State?

The study adopts Pender, Jagger, Nkonya, (2008)’s conceptual frame work postulates that land
management is determined by house hold and village level factors, among others. Household factors
include physical, human and social capital, whereas village level factors include population pressure,
access to markets, agricultural potential, local markets, presence of programs and local institutions. The
frame work generally shows the complex interplay of these factors at different levels.

The term sustainability was introduced relatively recently, although it has long been a basic concept in
land resource management. Because of differences in individual perceptions, spatial considerations, and
temporal scales and perspectives, there is no standard definition for sustainability (Kiflemaryam, 2008).
Sustainable practice is one that can continue indefinitely. Sustainability essentially means that
production and economic gain will flourish over a very long, essentially infinite period of time (Loon et
al., 2005). Sustainable use means using landscapes, ecosystems, species and genes in a way that meets
both present and future needs.

Because of argumentativeness of the term sustainability, there is no also generally agreed definition for
sustainable land management, so that scholars explain it in different ways. Sustainable land
management encompasses the need for long term preservation of the resource base to allow adequate
future crop production in a manner that is socially acceptable, economically viable and environmentally
sound (Loon et al., 2005). Sustainable land use is that which meets the needs for production of present
land users, acts in conserving the basic resources for future generations on which that production.

World Bank (2006) stated that, for rain fed farming systems, good land management requires an
integrated and synergistic resource management approach that embraces locally appropriate
combinations of the following technical options:

Buildup of soil organic matter and related biological activity to optimum sustainable levels for
improved moisture, infiltration and storage, nutrient supply, and soil structure through the use of
compost, farmyard manure, green manures, surface mulch, enriched fallows, agro-forestry,
cover crops, and crop residue management.
Integrated plant nutrition management with locally appropriate and cost-effective combinations
of organic or inorganic and on-farm or off-farm sources of plant nutrients (such as use of
organic manures, crop residues, and rhizoidal nitrogen fixation; transfer of nutrients released by
weathering in the deeper soil layers to the surface by way of tree roots and leaf litter; and use of
rock phosphate, lime, and mineral fertilizer) to the plant. Plant varieties that are adapted to
specific production environments and sustainable agricultural practices and that are resistant to
specific pests and diseases will become increasingly important.
Conservation farming practices can reduce unnecessary input use. Minimum tillage or no-till
crop production reduces labor and equipment costs, enhances soil fertility, reduces erosion, and
 improves water infiltration, thereby reducing unit costs and conserving land resources. Improved
crop residue management, including mulching, is often a necessary component of these systems.
Organic farming eliminates use of chemical inputs and can be sustainable as long as practices
maintain productivity at a reasonable level
Integrated pest management (IPM) systems have been developed for many crops to control
pests, weeds, and diseases while reducing potential environmental damage from excessive use
of chemicals. Scaling up IPM technologies is a challenge, as these management systems rely on
farmers’ understanding of complex pest ecologies and crop-pest relationships.

2.2. Farmland Management

Land is the first pre-requisite natural resource for farming. It is greater than all other resources because
it is all inclusive and provides food, clothing and materials for shelter. But it has been necessarily
affected by natural and human oriented activities. Inherently, fertile land is more enduring than a less
fertile one. On account of this capacity and better productivity, the best farmland is crucial for healthy
environment and profitable production (Boss and Pond, 2005). A single definition has not been
provided for land management. In general, can be defined simply the act of judicially and skillfully
managing natural resources at all.

Farmland is a relevant, well performed and poorly understood asset that has been increased interest,
discussion and activity in this times. It is also a quite unique and highly specialized resource which in
turn requires an equally unique and highly specialized manager with appropriate level of experience,
knowledge and expertise (Rogers, 2009).

In the twenty first century food and production systems will need to meet adequately supply safe,
nutritious, and sufficient food for the world’s growing population, significantly reduce rural poverty by
sustaining the farming delivered components of rural household incomes, reduce and reverse natural
resource degradation, especially that of land but at the global level, large area of formerly productive
land has been rendered unproductive (World Bank, 2006). The farmland manager is, therefore,
responsible for the selection of prospective farmland management strategy for this resource (Rogers,
2009).

There are a number of agronomic farmland management techniques. For instance, if one is to use nature
as a model for sustainable farming practices, then diversification is an obvious place to begin and Crop
types, cropping systems, crop residues, and crop and vegetative covers (Mulugeta, 2007), are the other
important practices for effective farmland management.
2.3. Land Management Practices and their Importance
In order to use land in a sustainable manner, several management practices can be involved at a given
farmland. The intention can be to control soil erosion, weeds and insects and /or to maintain its fertility
which leads to maximize productivity. To this issue, stated by different scholars like Blaik, that there
are two different types, mechanical protection works and agronomic methods, although they are usually
used together in any soil conservation project. Most management activities combine both mechanical
and agronomic techniques, and in many instances they are complementary. For example, gully erosion
can be treated by mechanical, cutting back the gully head to stable ground and planting it to grass
and/or trees, and following a variety of agronomic measures above gully to reverse practices which
brought about sheet and then gully erosion in the first place (Mulugeta, 2007),

Contour furrows serve the dual purpose of stopping erosion and increase the percentage water that
infiltrate into the soil. The method simply entails plowing furrows along the contour, at interval down a
slope, the interrupting overland flow, terracing helps to control erosion. However, the steeper the slope
and the greater the land degradation of rain of high intensity, the greater the erosion hazard, and hence
the closer together should the terraces be.

There are a number of agronomic farmland management techniques. For instance, if one is to use nature
as a model for sustainable farming practices, then diversification is an obvious place to begin and Crop
types, cropping systems, crop residues, and crop and vegetative covers ( Mulugeta, 2007), are the other
important practices for effective farmland management.

Conservation tillage, contour farming, cover cropping and agro-forestry are all practices that protect
soil quality while promoting water flow in to the soil (John and Merrell, 2010). The crop cover is a
major factor that reduces soil loss (under plot conditions) by protecting the soil from the erosive force
of the falling rain drops thereby increasing infiltration and preventing runoff. Reducing the cultivation
of leguminous crops means depriving the soil of a natural fertilizing agent (Dave and Katewa, 2008).
The strategy of reducing degradation by planting several species and crop varieties can stabilize yields
over a long term and maximize returns with low level of technology and limited resources. Besides, for
effective nutrient management and sustainable cropping, minimize soil erosion and leaching, recycling
organic nutrients, compensating nutrient loss and selecting adopted and efficient species are the most
generic farmland management practices (World Bank, 2006). The composting of vegetables and the use
of crop residues and other organic fertilizers is the other efficient way to conserve farm nutrients and
enable farmers to redistribute the nutrient-rich compost to fields (World Bank, 2006).
Moreover, farmland management practices can be categorized into indigenous and modern introduced
management practices. The acceptance and implementation of these management practices depends on
the decision and willingness of land users which in turn request sustainable and fruitful from
agricultural experts and researchers.

Indigenous technology is one of the transferred from generation to generation. As reality indicated, it is
still continuously and widely practiced activity across different country sides. One of the silent features
of indigenous technologies has provided short, medium and long term benefits to the farmers. The
indigenous technology by this time not solving the prevailing problems, which makes to discourage the
farmers from using the practices of local technology and was under, estimated its activities. In Ethiopia
the most perceived and preferred indigenous technologies by farmers are drainage ditches, animal
manures, fallowing, and crop rotation and contour ploughing (Jarso, 2011).

Indigenous technology is not always resulting positively. The limited experience of farmers in
appropriate crop rotation patterns, fallowing practices, inability of farmers to apply conservation based
farming practices, inappropriate use of crop residues and the demand of manure changes to fuel wood
are some of the problems associated with the technology (Yilkal, 2007).

The introduced technologies, comparatively, have long run benefits and importance. But the hope and
desire of the farmers was to get immediate benefits and to increase production from treated lands in
order to continue the practical application of the new technology (Aklilu, 2006). Nevertheless, different
studies at different times reached and pointed out those farmers have blamed the new technology. The
majority of peasants have revolted against the acceptance of modern technology (Eyasu, 2007). The
complains of the farmers are associated with the following drawbacks: its narrowness for ploughing,
losses of the substantial lands (out of use), the breeding conditions of rodents and weeds within
structure, its difficulty in designing, demands of much labor, encourage for formation of water logging
at flat, land solidness at steep slope and artificial water way to form gullies (Eyasu, 2007).
2.4. Land Degradation
Land degradation problem is a global issue and almost it affected the whole earth though variation
exists in intensity, and it is more severe in developing countries (Kiflemariam, 2008). Moderate and
severe land degradation are defined as a reduction in potential yield. Land degradation covers the
various forms of soil degradation, including erosion and fertility decline. Soil erosion has been regarded
as the most serious and wide-spread forms of land degradation, and itself a cause of fertility decline,
through removal of organic matter and nutrients (Pender and Berhanu. G, 2008). Evidence is
accumulated that fertility decline which is the summary of changes in soil physical (structure and water
holding capacity), chemical (loss of plant nutrients and acidification), and biological (lowering of soil
organic matter, with associated decline in the activity of fauna), is extremely widespread in areas that
have been under annual cropping and consequently opens the way for serious environmental
deterioration (Berhanu 2008).

Since agriculture, environment and farmland management are interlinked, the performance of
agricultural productivity and environmental health of a country, mainly where agriculture is the main
stay of the national economy, depend on the appropriateness of the management techniques to be
practiced on farm plots. The management practices to be implemented have negative and positive
effects. Land degradation is the most serious problem which results inappropriate application of
farmland management practices.

Dave and Katewa (2008) stated that fertility of land supports the growth and development of natural
vegetation and agricultural crops. But a number of natural and man-made factors like management
practices lower the quality and productivity of land which is commonly referred to as land degradation.

In Africa, particularly, has experienced a mean crop yield loss of 8.2 percent due to past soil erosion,
while in some countries land productivity has declined by over 40 percent. Today, 95 million hectares
of land particularly in SSA are at risk of irreversible land degradation if non- sustainable land use
practices continue (GECC, 2009). The densely populated highlands of East Africa is the other
vulnerable region of sever land degradation (Braun, 2006).

The spread and extent of soil degradation depends on different factors, such as soil, relief, climate and
farming systems (intensity of use). Annual depletion of soil fertility in SSA was estimated at 22kg N,
3kg P and 15kg K per hectare (Mitiku, et al., 2006). Although there are few long-term experimental
studies of land degradation in Sub-Saharan Africa those that are available show that under continuous
cultivation using low external inputs, soil fertility rapidly decreases, yields decline, and a combination
of inorganic and organic source of soil fertility is necessary to sustain crop production (Bationo et al.,
1998). Generally, this sever land degradation in Africa has threatened the agricultural productivity and
livelihood of the poor (Nkonya et al., 2008). Hence, with the rise in population placing over increasing
pressure on scarce land, governments of developing countries should give high priority to rational land
use, improved land management, and avoidance of degradation (Teshome, 2010).

2.4.1. Land Degradation in Ethiopia

As most researchers described that even in an agriculturally sophisticated country like the United
States; the loss of soil through erosion exceeds tolerable levels on some 44 percent of the croplands.
The continual growth demand for agricultural products contributes to soil erosion in many ways. Thus,
throughout the Third World, farmers are pushed onto steeply sloping, erosive land that is rapidly losing
its topsoil. In other areas farming has extended into semiarid regions where land is vulnerable to wind
erosion when plowed (FAO, 2010).

In Ethiopia the severity of soil erosion can be attributed to intense rainfall and rugged and dissected
nature of the topography with nearly 70 percent of highlands having slopes exceeding 30 percent.
Rapid population growth, cultivation on steep slopes, clearing of vegetation, and overgrazing are the
main factors that are accelerating soil erosion in Ethiopia (Lulseged and Paul, 2008).

In the highlands of Ethiopia, deforestation has reduced tree cover of the surface area, so the rainfall is
estimated to be lost as runoff, carrying many billion tones of the top soil away annually (ILRI, 2010).
The annual rate of soil loss in the country is higher than the annual rate of soil formation. Hence, the
underlying cause for the excessive rate of soil loss is the unsustainable exploitation of the land resource
which is manifested by extensive de-vegetation for fuel wood and other uses and expansion of
cultivation and grazing into steep land areas ( Aklilu and de Graf, 2006).

Nevertheless, all physical and economics evidence show that loss of land resource productivity is an
important problem in Ethiopia and that with continued population growth the problem is likely to be
even more important in the future. Therefore, Land degradation has been long recognized as a major
impediment to economic growth and famine occurrences in Ethiopia, and efforts have been made to
address the problem especially in the last quarter of the 20th century. For instance, many areas, mostly
in the northern Ethiopia fertility loss needs urgently to be compensated by new external impacts and/or
soil conservation measures need to be implemented Mitiku, 2006).

Most of the soil and water conservation activities in the region are undertaken from the perspective of
individual and the communities and not from a watershed perspective. Soil conservation measures that
are currently being promoted (e.g. Soil bunds) have been emphasized to the neglect of indigenous
practices and biological ones, and without conservation of the variability of soil, rainfall and slope
conditions. Generally, the fundamental causes of land degradation particularly, are inappropriate
farmland management practices (Teshome, 2010).

2.5. Land Management Methods

2.5.1. Indigenous methods used in maintaining soil fertility
Soil fertility problems remain a high priority for agricultural development and sustainability. However,
in most cases, a scientific point of view in maintaining soil fertility can only partially reflect the
farmers’ point of view in terms of agricultural sustainability. Thus, this complexity creates a gap
between the scientist and the farmer where there is no use of optimal soil fertility management
practices. However, to fill this gap, it should be bridged in order to facilitate mutual understanding on
the problems to be tackled. Farmers of the study area practice indigenous technologies manuring,
traditional kraal (pen), crop rotation, and fallowing, intercropping, multi cropping for more case and
leaf litter to some extent.
The farmers who can neither afford nor rely on an irregular supply of inorganic fertilizers, use their IK a
alternative means of improving nutrients on their farmland. Farmers claim most of local technologies
are often cheaper, more efficient than inorganic fertilizer.
2.5.1.1. Traditional kraal
This is one of the traditional forms of maintaining soil fertility. Farmers practice this by shifting pen
locally known as Dallaa every few weeks or month changes from one place then turn to anther in
specified day interval on the farm land before farming season. Animals are penned in the field at night
and the dung they deposit is later spread over the farm land that is considered to be infertile. As the
bases of their long year experience, few farmers indicated that optimum crop yields were obtained from
the farm on previous kraal was made on than that of farm land cultivated. However, this is highly
limited by way of access to land and livestock ownership of the household. For instance, those farmers
who have large number of cattle have more potential and access to make kraal over the farm land in the
study area.
2.5.1.2. Manuring
Manure is used mainly as nutrients that increase crop production in the majority of agricultural soils
(Albert 2006) that serve as good ingredient in increasing productivity. Animal manure locally known as
ciicata is used by many but no more Dikee/faltii(mean the animal waste product) not rich because of
little animal raring at study area. Almost no farmers have more than two cow and other house animals.
So the study area is dependent on coffee and bebere(pepper) production manure is somewhat used for
putting under berbere plant to activate the plan’s growth. Moreover, this method of maintaining soil
fertility is more difficult for those who lack live stock and don’t use manure at all.
2.5.1.3. Crop rotation
It is one of the indigenous practices to improve soil fertility as well as conserve the land from other
degradation. It is a system by which nitrogen restoration is attained by alternating different types of
crops on the same cultivated land (Jarso D. 2011). Farmers has been using crop rotation that rooted as
long as many years mostly of cereals types where land cultivated once then changed to crop the
following cropping years. The rotation pattern and system farmers practice is what they experienced in
their day to day activity, however, it can be more believable if assisted by experts for certain technical
cases for they may have limited awareness about nutrient cycle and what type of crop should be planted
after a crop cultivated from one year to another that was not obviously understood by all farmers seen
actually in the area.
2.5.1.4. Fallowing
Fallow is a cropland that is left uncultivated and without crops for a number of periods ranging from
one season to several years. According to Albert (2006), the fallow period would increase the organic
matter content of the soil; improve the soil structure including water holding capacity; recycle and trap
nutrients from sub-soil; protect the soil from erosion and eliminate weeds, pests and diseases specific to
the cropping system. However, it is only few farmers practice fallowing due to shortage of farm land
per house hold, lack of other off farm gains and fear of land under fallow for grow bushes and weeds
that potentially reduce productivity when cultivated. Therefore, few farmers at study area are still leave
the land of what they totally have uncultivated for two or more years.
2.5.1.5. Intercropping
It is form of growing more than one crop of different type by mixing them on the same farm land at the
same time. It is indigenous practice as long as agricultural history. Its value in productivity increase as
farm land size decrease (Teshome Tafa 2010); thus, advisable to be practiced in all study kebeles where
average house hold land size is less than 2 ha and in high family members’ pressure. About few number
of the farmers of the study area practice intercropping.

However, the degree of planting mixing crops on the farm land is highly influenced by wealth
difference among the farmers. Those farmers considered as rich have potential to buy a variety of crops
and plant on the same farm land at the same time in a single season, while it remain challenging for the
said to be poor, and are rushing just to enhance their families with food.
2.5.1.6. Multi cropping
It is the practice of growing two or more crops in the same space during a single growing season.
Multiple cropping in agriculture is more important especially in the in sub Sahara countries of the world
at large (GECC 2009). It creates favorable condition for the soil, water, nutrients and provides excellent
environmental conservation and sustainability. Therefore, the role of it in conserving the soil and
maintaining its fertility is relevant. Farmers believe that they are using multi cropping for it is easy to
harvest and increase productivity. The farmers at the study area use the system in their local agriculture.
2.5.2. Modern Land Management Methods
1. Compost
Composting is the biological decomposition of organic materials by bacteria and other organisms (Bos
A. and A. Pond 2005). Compost is prepared from animal manures, plant leaves as well as crop residues.
However, the largest proportion of the inputs comes from animal manures. After its maturity, compost
is added in to the soil as fertilizer like that of the dry manures.

The most important negative impacts of compost, from the farmers’ point; it fails to practice efficient
utilization of farm plots if it is applied without the addition of chemical fertilizers, it is time taking and
laborious, it needs knowledge and training to prepare which requires trainers who are ready and have
good knowledge regarding the instructions of better compost preparation. The raw materials,
particularly animal manures are not available more for those farmers who have small number of and/or
no cattle.

2. Chemical (Inorganic) Fertilizers

Chemical fertilizers are defined as mainly any inorganic substance that has been synthesized either
completely or partially and affects plant growth (Morgan, 2005). The most well-known inorganic
fertilizers which are widely and highly being utilized in the study area are Diammonium Phosphate
(DAP) and Urea. These fertilizers are added to the soil with seeding simultaneously. Sometimes, unlike
DAP, Urea can be added to the soil after germination of the crops. They are commonly and widely used
for cereal crops like maize and dagussa and perennial crops like coffee, berbere, etc. But they also
explained that DAP can be utilized without the addition of Urea. Morgan, states that inorganic
fertilizers may contain acids, such as sulfuric and hydrochloric acids that can raise already acidic soils.

2.6. Major Factors Affecting Implementation of Improved Farmland Management

Practices
Scholars explain that in the real world there are numerous challenging factors affecting the adoption and
implementation of better farmland management practices to prevent land degradation and
rehabilitatedegradedland.Many factors bear on farmers' decisions about adopting soil conservation meas
ures. Following KibemoD.(2011), it is possible to hypothesize the decision making process to adopt soil 
conservation measures starts from farmers’ perception of erosion problems.The theories of adoption and 
decision making  included roles for personal, physical, economic, and or institutional factors, but usuall
y not all simultaneously. The adoption and use of soil conservation practices is conceptualized as the de
cision‐making process. Each component can be visualized as a major step in the decision to control eros
ion.  

The process is set in motion by the recognition of an erosion problem. That perception is viewed as a pr
oduct of the landowner's personal characteristics that might cause a more acute awareness of the serious
ness of the erosion (e.g., formal education), coupled with the actual physical characteristics of the land 
he operates. As shown, government or academic educational programs can be used to heighten the perc
eption of erosion problems. From an economic perspective, perception of the degree of erosion problem 
and its impact on short‐term returns and land values should be highly correlated with the farmer's willin
gness to pay for conservation measures.  Pender and Berhanu (2008) noted the
perception of soil erosion problems, household size, and farmer’s perceptions of technology, specific att
ributes and land quality differentials as important in shaping conservation decision. 

Thus, decisions to conserve soil will be influenced by a combination of personal, economic, institutiona
l and physical factors (John, 2008). 
 PersonalFactor:Personal factors such as education level, farming experience, conservation attit
ude and family size are factors which influences adoption of soil conservation. Higher education 
levels are hypothesized to be associated with improved knowledge about conservation measures 
and the productivity effects of erosion. It can be viewed as influencing  a land owner's 
disposition  to  use  practices  because  of  increased information  on  erosion  control,  the 
productivity  consequences  of  erosion,  and  higher management  benefits  and  costs. 
 Physical Factors: Factors  such  as  farm  size,  slope,  farm  terrain,  type  of  erosion, 
soil amendments, location of farm land and land quality differentials are some physical factors w
hich affect farmers’ ability to adopt method of soil conservation ( John, 2008; Shiferaw, 2004 ).
 Economic Factors: Manyresearches resultsindicates economic constraints affect the decision to 
conserve soil. Economic factors may either enhance or constrain farmers' dispositions towards e
rosion control. For example, high debt levels may inhibit investmentin capital intensive terraces, 
while high net farm income will present tax advantages for the same practice. Educational progr
ams, technical assistance, and cost sharing are institutional instruments to persuade farmers to us
e practices. Economic constraints such as wealth status of the farmers, off‐farm income,annual i
ncome, costof fertilizer and debt status are factors which tends to increase or reduce incentives f
or soil conservation (Eleni, 2008; John, 2008).  
  Institutional Factors:Institutional Factors portrays the role of educational and technical assistan
ce programs in affecting perception of erosion problems, decision to use practices, and erosion co
ntrol effort. In addition to this, institutional factors like secure land tenure right, access to credit a
nd extension training to farmers affects farmer’s decision to conserve soil (Eleni, 2008). 

Farmers' attitudes toward environmental quality and conservation issues should reflect their public conc
erns about resource use, and  consequently,  may  affect  their  perceptions  of  erosion  problems  and 
their  farm conservation actions. All factor categories and other determinants like government policies
and programs, varying topography, soils type, physical environment and climate
influence effort the decision to use one or more practices. 

2.7. Conceptual Framework of the Study

Through reviewing the previous works, it is attempted to develop the following conceptual framework;
 Farmland Management practices (FLMP)
 Modern (introduced) management practices
 Indigenous management practices
 Management Impacts( Negative Impacts and Positive Impacts )

Land degradation
Awareness about problem Positive attitude
land degradation towards land
problem management practices
Socio-demographic
factors
Age, Educational status,
access to information
3.
Awareness about
land management
practices
Descriptions of the Study Area
3.1. Location and Size
The study is conducted in Sayo Nole district, which is one of the fourteen districts located in South
West Shewa Zone of Oromia Regional State. Sayo Nole wereda is one of the 21 Woredas of west
Wollega. It is found at the distance of about 506 km from Addis Ababa which is the capital city of the
Oromia National State and the whole nation. The Woreda, having an area of 67,381.3hect. It is bordered
by Ilubabor in the south, Lalo Qile wereda of Qellam Wollega zone and Yubdo wereda in west, Ganji,
Homa and Haru weredas in north and Nole Kaba wereda in the east of the district in West Wollega
zone.

The administrative center of Sayo Nole wereda is called town, having distance of 68 kilometers from
the Zone’s capital, Ghimbi town, and 506 kilometers west of Addis Ababa the capital city of Ethiopia
(is from Transport Agency of the district, 2016)

The location of Sayo Nole district is of the south western Ethiopian highlands in Oromia Regional state.
Its relief is mainly characterized by plateau land with lower slopes from 1400 meters to 1900 meters
above sea level (m.a.s.l.). Based on its agro-ecology, the district is characterized in the mid-highland
(badadaree), which lies below 2,500m.a.s.l. The mean annual temperature of the area ranges from 18oc
to 20oc and moderate rainfall.

The area has along rain time, from little rainy season (arfaasa and birraa) means from March to May
and from September to November respectively while the heavy rainy season (gannaa), is between the
two means from June to August. That the annual precipitation varies from 900 to 1300 millimeters.
This is collected from the land management and environmental conservation administration bureau of
the wereda.

The vegetation cover in the district is highly damaged by the day to day human activities like
deforestation, bad farming system etc. Consequently, only 3171hect is of natural forest and artificial
forest about 169hect is occupied.
Determinants for adopting and implementing improved land management practices are
• Unsustainable FLM ‐ Soil erosion ‐ Fertility loss ‐ Increasing soil acidity
• Sustainable FLM - Soil conservation - Fertile soil - Soil acidity reduction

3.2. Relief, Climate and Drainage

The elevation of the Woreda ranges between 1400 and 1900m above sea level. The major relief
features include mountainous, undulating plain and valley. According to the wereda administration
respond me, most parts of the woreda are Woyna Dega agro-climatic zones. The area is located on
tropics with mean annual rainfall can raised to about 2800mm, and mean number of rainy months of
four to six months. The wet 6 months seasons are with fairly distributed rains. However, the heavy
rainfall is in the summer season of June to August, and the little amount of rainfall time in autumn and
spring (September to November and December to January) respectively which is sufficient for all types
of crops growing in the woreda with annual average temperatures are 20oc.

There is only two rivers drain throughout a year at the south west border of the district called Mexi.
Another big river also found at the north and North West border which is known as Birbir. Both rivers
used for a very smaller used for irrigation purpose. The rivers flow in the Westward direction of the
zone and the wereda location.

3.3. Vegetation
As of the wereda’s report, the vegetation cover of the woreda is mainly the result or under the influence
of the climatic distribution and human activities. The district is one of the areas where agricultural
activities have been practiced for a long period of time, it is the densely populated area and forest cover
has been minimized. The plant types are typically the result of climatic condition of an area including
mainly ficusalicitolia (warka), ecluea sehinmperi (dedho), acacia atbalia (girar) and acacia Abyssinia
(girar) are found to some extent of in the west parts. The surface area is also dominated by croten
macrota-chy (bisana) and cordial Abyssinia (wanza).

From my observation, I have visited many areas the wereda and it can be concluded that today the
indigenous trees are being replaced by other secondary growth and eucalyptus tree is getting dominant
mainly around residence areas and along streams valleys and marshy areas.

3.4. Soils and Land Use Cover

According to the wereda report indicates, today the total area of the woreda is 67,641hect having 33
kebeles. The most dominant soil type of Sayo Nole woreda is sandy soil which is red in color and
associate soil types in different parts of the woreda. Land use type Arial coverage (ha) Percent of total
area with annual crop cover 21305hect. In other hand the land coverage is mostly done in the area by
coffee shrub which is permanent crop and the green Gold of our country about 10,870.765hect of the
total land area. The other left is bare land with no cultivation that cannot be farmed by farmers.

Land use type Areal coverage(hect)

Annual cultivate land 21,305
Permanent crops 10,870.765t
Forest and bush land 3,340
Unproductive 3,299.5
Total land 38,815.265
Table 3.1 the total land area of the Sayo Nole wereda

3.5. Socio-economic Characteristics

Gozamen has 156,279 (50.3% male and 49.7% female) people. From this total population, 98.7% and
1.3% are rural and urban dwellers, respectively. The population density is 128.43 persons per kilo meter
square (ANRSBOFED, 2010).

The means of transport used includes traditional and modern modes of transport. The larger majority
travel and transport activities are by human portage and pack animals for the transportation agricultural
products to market centers (wereda transport agency 2017).

As the Woreda Education Bureau (2017) report indicates 154345 primary and secondary school and
3941 preparatory school students are enrolled in 47 primaries, 5 secondary and 1 preparatory schools
respectively. There are also 730 teachers of the schools of different educational level from certificate up
to MA (masters degree) employed in the woreda. The primary school coverage has reached more than
90%.

The report indicated from Woreda Environmental Protection, and Land Administration and Use Office
(2008) that from the total rural population in the age group of production (between 14 and 65 years)
which estimated about 52.7% of have owned farmlands. About 20.4% is the age of below (>14 years)
and 27.9% age the elder aged people of the district.

Sayo Nole has 5 health centers, 30 health stations with more than 90 health extension workers. With
incorporation of agricultural development program plan and policies. The health service coverage is
reaching to 78% with no access to clean water except the wereda administration town. Other rural
activities related to farm land has no more attention including DAs to engage rural economic, social,
political and educational development so mostly concerned to do for report purpose to political
engagement.

The most important farming input suppliers of the woreda are Ethiopian Agricultural Inputs Supply
Enterprise and the district’s Farmers’ Union which are promoting the supply and distribution of the
agricultural inputs like fertilizers, seeds, pesticides and insecticides for farmers.

Traditional community cooperation organizations are such as Gidib, Mahiber and Ekub which have a
long lasting history in the woreda and to facilitate and match the socio-economic and political relation
of the community. Gidib is associate those people who are willing to help each other on works like
harvesting and helping when unconditional of one of the member. Mahiber is necessarily religious
group cooperation of people whom they especially by orthodox prayers are known. Every member of
cooperation has an obligation to obey the rules and regulations of the organization. And have the
incomparability of solving problems or conflicts if happen among the members. Others like, Gdib and
Ekub are wider and are based on the will of the members to respect and led by the rules and regulations
of the organizations especially Edir when unexpected risks like destruction of assets. Also Ekub
economic related like to save money.

Agriculture is the backbone and the most economical base of Sayo Nole Wereda which is characterized
by crop production. The most important crops to be produced in the woreda, are cereal crops including,
maize (boqqolloo), Dagussa, mishinga and barley to some extent. Whenever preconditions, especially
favorable farmlands are fulfilled, pulses such as horse beans, peas as well as oil seeds such as linseed,
Niger seed and gomen can be produced. Vegetables only pepper (Capsicum spp.) which is a very
economic base of the wereda also produced and Chat, banana , mango, papaya, orange, and gesho are
producing but only for their areal consumption.

Domestic animals like Cattle, sheep, donkey, horses and goats are taken as animals which are rarely
found after a few decades that because of conditional climatic change. Some people are involving on
off-farm activities such as selling of local beverage, small scale trading, fire wood selling and pottery
production supply to the market areas, these shows, households are pursuing such practices for the
purpose of satisfying the family income to be generated from agriculture.

4.Results and Discussions

To summarize, general objective of this research was to determine land management activities of
farmers’ on their farm land that decision to use certain land management practices in the study area.
This section discusses the results relating to the socio-economic characteristics of the respondents, the
nature of land degradation, land management practices employed by farmers and their determinants.

4.1. Background Characteristics of the Respondents

The survey results indicate that out of the 120 sample household respondents, the majority (98%) are
male and the remaining (2%) female. With the age structure of the respondent 45% are above 50 years
old, 55% between the ages of 23 and 50 years. The mean age of the respondents is 50.5 years, with the
smaller and greater ages of 23 and 78 years, respectively. According to the Ethiopian age group
classification, these family members are considered to be the working labor forces while the lowest
number of family members lies in the age group of greater than 64 years followed by those whom they
are in the age group of less than 14 years in both kebeles. The economy of a country is strongly affected
by the society’s sex ratio and age structure, both of which have major influences on the labor supply
and productivity of the society (Todaro and Smith 2009).

Regarding the sex of family members, survey results indicate a total of 769 house leading member
having the farm land, 93.6% are male, while the remaining 6.4% are female in the two sample kebeles.
As for the age structure of the total sample members, 48% are below the age of 45; 49.1% in the age
group 15-64; while 2.9% are in the above 64 years age group. Worth noting here is that the below15
years age group percentage figure of 48.5% is higher than the regional and national averages of 47.6%
and 44.9%, respectively(Central Statistical Authority, 2008). This may indicate higher future pressure
on resources in this district.

The family size of the respondent households ranges from 4 to13 members. The majority (71.7%) have
family sizes of four and above. The mean family size is about 8.5 indicating that the survey respondents
have small household sizes accounting about 28.3%. The average of the family members is 50% as
expressed.

Survey results indicate that the educational status of the respondents is 44.5% are illiterate; 20% can
read and any without formal schooling(mostly saba letter), 19% are educated up to grade 4; while the

remaining 25.5% attained up to 8th grade. This may indicate some in capacitating of their ability to
adopt new ideas and technologies. The educational status of a society, particularly literacy level, is
among the key factors determining development and growth (Todaro and Smith, 2009).

Regarding economic activities, survey results indicate that agriculture is the main economic activity of
the study area and that all the sample respondents have access to land. The average land holding size for
the respondents is 2.8 hectares of which on average, 2.2hect is for crop farming and 0.6hect for grazing.
Focus group discussions revealed that respondents do not have sufficient land to feed their families. The
need for additional land varies from 1.50 hectare to 3 hectares based on the family size and current land
holding size of the needy households.
Survey respondents expressed various reasons for supporting the current land possession to land
through share cropping with smaller percent increased tenure security than before due to land
certification, the majority of them indicated that there was no change in their landholding size. Some
others respondents reported a decline landholding sizes because sharing of land with new household
(for newly generated family) formations. While in contrast to this reported there was an increase.
Those who indicated that their land holding sizes had increased cited inheritance from parents and other
blood relation.

Another aspect highlighted on the current land tenure system which puts land under public caretaker
ship is that it is supposed to provide checks and balances on land management practices. This issue
posed to done through government regulations that require proper land management practices for
continued use of land, otherwise legal action will be instituted against those who carry out bad
practices.
4.2. Awareness about the Consequences of Land Degradation
Awareness about the Causes of Land Degradation table shows respondents’ awareness of the causes for
land degradation problems. The result indicates that most of the respondents were aware of soil erosion
and deforestation as causes of land degradation that can be combined with the idea of Anteneh
Gabremariam(2010). The majority of the farmers’ responded poor farming practice, over population,
over cultivation and rugged topography as causes of land degradation. More than half of the
respondents indicate lack of enough land size and fertilizers causes land degradation. Planting of
eucalyptus tree and absence of crop rotation were considered by no more of the respondents as causes
of land degradation problems.

Table 4.1 Percentage Distribution of Respondents Awareness in Causes of Land Degradation

Causes of land degradation Aware it consequences in Not aware about the
percentage (%) feedback in percentage (%)
Deforestation 59% 41%
Overgrazing 21% 79%
Poor farming practices 97% 3%
Over population 100% -
Over cultivation 52% 48%
Rugged topography 66% 34%
Lack of fertilizers 89% 11%
Planting eucalyptus tree 4.4% 95.6%
 Absence of crop rotation 93% 7%
Source:- Field Survey (2017)

The table shows the respondents awareness about the consequence of land degradation. The results
indicate that all of the respondents were aware of loss of agricultural productivity results from land
degradation. The majority of the respondents were aware of an increases the requirement of fertilizer,
difficulty for farming, lagging of rain months, drying up of the surface water and loss in livestock
productivity as the consequence. However, landlessness, migration and, poverty and economic
backwardness were not indicated by most of the farmers as it result from land degradation.

Survey respondents, focus group discussants and key informants were asked on behave of land
privatization is more helpful for better utilization of land by improving land management practices. All
of them were agreed in emphasizing the problem associated with privatization, and how it can harm the
community rather than benefit it. It was highlighted that privatization of land would make the farmers
land less if households may be forced to sell their land in time of crisis. This would eventually lead to
concentration of land in the hands of few individuals who have the capacity to own more land.

4.5. Respondents’ Land Management Practices

Considerable efforts have been made to reverse the problem of land degradation. What were once
considered to be sustainable land management practices such as soil and water conservation, soil
fertility management, controlled-grazing and other land management practices were introduced.
However, the impact of those efforts did not curb the impact of land degradation in a meaningful and
sustainable manner. Various reasons are often given for the lack of success. Among these the most
commonly cited factors include failure to consider indigenous land management practices, high initial
costs which are not affordable to poor farmers and also trying to apply uniform techniques in different
agro- ecological regions (Aklilu, 2006).

In this part the principal indigenous and modern farmland management practices used in the study area
coupled with their negative and positive impacts from the points of soil fertility increase and soil and
water conservation practices are discussed. It is not easy, in fact, to put common criteria to strictly
categorize farmland management practices into soil fertility maintaining, soil conservation or
production increasing methods. This is because a specific management technique can directly or
indirectly serve for different purposes though the final goal is to increase productivity. As a result, this
categorization is done based on the direct purposes of the management techniques why farmers apply
on their farmlands in the study area.

Regarding the land management practices, the table shows that extent of use of different land
management practices by the respondents. The result shows that mixed cropping, organic manure
application, making water ways ,rotational grazing, tree planting, terracing and crop rotation were most
widely known land management practices by the respondents in the study area. While the practices like
crop rotation, mixed cropping, chemical fertilizer, waterway making, contour ploughing and tree
planting are the most applying and the more important methods for their economic and efforts of the
community.
Land Management Aware of practice Knew but not Not knew and no
practices in the study area and practicing (%) practicing (%) Practicing (%)

Mixed cropping 60% 31% 9%

Organic manure application 53% 40% 7%
Terracing 20% 59% 21%
Crop rotation 51% 46% 3%
Making waterways 30% 66% 4%
Tree planting 79% 21% -
Rotational grazing 67% 15% 18%
Contour plowing 93% 6% 1%
Fallowing 28% 72% -
Table 4.2 farmers’ land management measures in the study area

Terracing, Rotational grazing, Fallowing and Organic manure application were not much used land
management practices. The far fewer usage of fallowing is not unexpected as many of respondents had
less hectare of land.

4.4. Respondents’ Sources of Information on Land Management Practices

The result table shows the information sources of the respondents on land management practices, that
friends and relatives were indicated by most respondents’ as a most significant source of information.
About second amount of the respondents used the information from extension agents. Other significant
number of the respondents thirdly uses radio as a source of information. Small numbers of the
respondents indicate training, schools and print media as a source of information respectively like
indicated in the table as follows. These findings supported by the view of Tadese D. (2011) that the rise
in farmers preferring other farmers as a first hand information source may be due to the apparent
ineffectiveness in the public extension in developing countries.
Table 4.3 Percentage Distribution of Respondents in their Information sources about land management
practices

Sources of information on Number of the Number of respondents

land management respondents have enough have enough information in
practices information percent
Friends and relatives 115 95.83%
Extension agents 92 77%
Radio 81 67.5%
Trainings 49 40.83%
Schools 25 20.83%
Print media 3 2.5%
Source:-Field Survey (2017)

Key informants revealed that there are no clear guidelines on enforcement procedures in the existing
rules and regulations. Hence, so far, no action has been taken on those that have misused their land.
Personal observations also showed that land degradation is prevalent in the area as no one seems to
enforce proper land management practices. It was highlighted that trees are used for construction
purposes, and to generate income from sale of poles with residues used to supplement energy needs.

4.7. Outlook towards Agricultural Land Management

Table 4.4 shows the farmers’ attitude towards agricultural land management. A great degree of
similarity is observed in the responses of the farmers’. The majority (more than 90) of the respondents
agree on statements land degraded land can be maintained by so doing day and night in combining the
modern and traditional methods of land management practices. While an attitude statement which states
‘it is not necessary to use conservation and management since farmer still use fertilizers to replenish the
soil’ has got disagreement by the respondents. Moreover, the high percentage score of statement
agreement indicators of the positive attitude hold on agricultural land management by the respondents.
It was surprising that only about 7.5 percent of the respondents are undecided the statement which states
land management is important mostly in degraded area to reduce the rate of soil erosion.
Table 4.4 Percentage Distribution of the Respondents mind-set towards Agricultural Land Management
 Respondents’ move Number The idea on the attitude of
toward land mgt respondents Percentage management practices on their
practices (%) farmland
The management measures are very
Agree 94 78.33% important and should practicable for all
development planning minded.
The practices are not more useful
because of our land holding size and
agricultural development experts are
Disagree Statements 17 14.16% only symbolic and not enough so
cannot do accordingly.
We do not have more understanding
about how different management
Undecided 9 7.5% practices can be done so is no clearly
fruitful still this time.
Source: - Field Survey (2017)

On long term on the land, only few of respondents reported practicing investing on their plots as much
as possible. The type of investment includes mainly the planting of trees –eucalyptus, to some extent
junipers around homesteads, expanding of coffee plant which is by all individual persons throughout
the district.

1. Crop farming
Survey research results indicate, respondents grow crops which include maize, dagussa and mishinga
which are the major crops are grown by the majority of the people around only for their house
consumption and somewhat to local market to buy other spice needs like salt. Pepper (berbere) and
coffee production are also practiced larger proportion of society throughout the district. However, the
proportion of farmers who are landless practice to survive under the land owners in different
mechanisms. This concludes that the base of the farmer in the study area is commercial crop production
supplied for economic development of national and personal level. Furthermore, key informants and
focus group discussions indicated that farmers prefer the production of commercial crops than cereal
crops because of their land and the supply of fertilizer is not matched with, also there is no research
conducted to identify what the problem is not grow other crops like teff, wheat, and the like. Example
teff cannot produce in the area; there are so many people who haven’t seen what it looks like yet.
Respondents of the survey were asked about the trend in crop yields over time. 85% are indicated an
increasing trend in crop yields per hectare by the help of soil fertility maintenance methods. Some of
them indicated a decline while few of them indicated that there was no change with the factors that
resulted in the change of trend in crop yield. The reasons includes better application of chemical
fertilizer, better farming practice, application of improved seed, compost application and better weather
conditions and vice versa. These trends were also tinted during focus group discussions.

Focus group discussions and key informants further revealed that extension workers focused mostly on
the promotion of in organic chemical fertilizer and improved seed utilization. Access to extension
services, about 65% of the respondents reported having access to such facilities. These services include
technical advice on the utilization of chemical fertilizer, improved seed and pesticides; and better
farming methods. That the reared efforts to supply improved technical assistance on animal health and
agricultural growth of the society. According to the respondents, it is mostly used chemical fertilizers
though they are not applied simultaneously.

4.2.1. Soil Fertility Maintaining Practices

Various conservation strategies have been introduced to enhance agricultural development and rural
livelihoods. The challenge, however, is to come up with a conservation approach that helps to meet the
short-term needs of the farmers and long-term conservation objectives simultaneously (Aklilu, 2006).
Similarly, in the study area there is various indigenous and modern farmland management methods are
used by farmers. The sample households noted that indigenous methods and modern methods of soil
conservation are developed as supplementary.

Soil fertility refers to the amount and availability of nutrients in the soil. To be fertile, soils should
contain optimal amount of macro and micro nutrients that are essential for plant growth. In order to
maintain the fertility of farmlands, there are different indigenous and introduced management methods
advised by researchers and agricultural experts to be put in practice.

The classification of farmland management practices in to indigenous and modern (introduced) may be,
actually, controversial. This is because an indigenous management system at a given locality may not
be so in other localities. As a result, for this case, with the help of the information obtained from the
sample households who are primarily engaged on farming, farmland management practices which are
developed by farmers’ experiences, and are time honored are categorized into indigenous methods.
Contrarily introduced methods are grouped into introduced (modern) methods.
4.2.1.1. Indigenous Management practices
1. Manure
In Sayo Nole district, the application of animal manures (dry and wet animal feces) and the remnants of
plants used for animal fodders is important farmland management to be practiced. It also includes the
byproducts of local food production processes like siicoo (the byproduct of local brewing) and others
which are daily swept out of a house in dirt forms. This is applied by (93.85%) of sample households.
2. Crop rotation
In the study area, 87.69% of the respondents agree that they apply crop rotation on their farmlands.
Maize and other most cereal crops are grown at a given farm plot after two or more years of production
leaving the preceding and succeeding production seasons for other crops so as to enable the soil to
restore fertilizing nutrients by the produced crops during the preceding production season(s). The
rotation season can be two years or longer with depend on the of other alternative farm plots for
cultivation of these crop types.
3. Kraal (pen)
It is a common farmland management method, is done by get-together several cattle of a given
community at a farm plot at night for their liquid and solid wastes as fertilizer. This is also usually
limited on farm plots near and preferably adjacent to grazing lands, and for only those farmers who own
cattle. If not properly managed, it pollutes drinking water streams and causes destruction on installed
soil conservation measures.
4. Fallowing:
As a result of shortage of farmlands, application of fallowing covers only 1.5% of the respondents.
5. Contour Plowing:
Contour plowing is less applied in Sayo Nole woreda by few of the farmers. These farmers have stated
that contour plowing is practiced especially to minimize the energetic downward flow of floods and
facilitates rain water percolation. They have more stated the negative sides of contour plowing that it is
difficult to practice effective plowing. Thus, they use other measures and according to the respondents’
explanation, it is mandatory to use other additional alternative measurement methods like terraces.

4.2.1.2. Modern Management Practices

A. Compost
Composting is the biological decomposition of organic materials by bacteria and other organisms. The
result is a dark, somewhat nutrient-rich soil conditioner (Mangan et al., 2000). Compost is prepared
from leaves of plants decomposed in the hole as known in the study area, plant leaves as well as crop
residues. However, the largest proportion of the inputs comes from organic in origin or it is from plants.
After its maturity, compost is added in to the soil as fertilizer like that of the chemical modern fertilizer.
It cannot be utilized alone, without additions of chemical fertilizers, because farmers are not trusted on
compost to provide sufficient productivity unless it is utilized together with chemical fertilizers
especially for cereal crops, as it is indicated by respondent farmers prepare and apply compost.

The most important negative impacts or limitations of compost, standing from the farmers’ point of
view are; it fails to practice efficient utilization of farm plots if it is applied without the addition of
chemical fertilizers, it is time taking and laborious (to prepare, transport and address several farm plots),
it needs knowledge and training in order to prepare effectively which requires trainers who have good
knowledge concerning the instructions of better compost preparation. The raw materials, particularly
animal manures are not easily available for those farmers who have small number of and/or no cattle.

B. Inorganic Fertilizers
Chemical fertilizers are defined as mainly any inorganic substance that has been synthesized either
completely or partially and affects plant growth (Morgan, 2005). Application of chemical fertilizers is
practiced by almost all of the respondent farmers is the most common inorganic fertilizers which are
widely being utilized in the study area are DAP with seeding and add Urea after germination. They are
commonly and widely used for cereal crops like maize and dagussa and for perennial crops like coffee,
bebere(peper), to some extent khat. According to the respondents, the proportion of DAP utilization is
larger. In opposite direction of using chemical fertilizers, some respondents indicate that after we used
the fertilizer for a growing season, latter on our land cannot be productive so important to cultivate,
rather we can use any other conservation measures. Farmers furthermore, argue that it is better to utilize
DAP and Urea consecutively though their proportion varies.

Regarding the negative sides, Morgan (2005), states that inorganic fertilizers may contain acids, such as
sulfuric and hydrochloric acids that can raise already acidic soils. As of the idea of respondents
indicated that unlike organic fertilizers, inorganic fertilizers cannot maintain sustainable soil fertility,
because;
 Inorganic fertilizers give service only for one cropping season.
 Unless more additional fertilizers are added in the next cropping seasons, crop productivity
becomes decrease.
 Intensive application of chemical fertilizers destructs the natural fertility of soils.
This is the decisive factor why farmers prefer to use organic fertilizers than inorganic fertilizers.
 C. Terracing
In the Study area, construction of terraces is implemented mainly in the form of, soil bund and keter.
Key informants explained that terracing of farm plots enables a farmer to minimize soil and water loss
through facilitating water percolation. The terraces enable the soils to be deposited and accumulated
along the terraces. The accumulated soils are fertile so that farmers reconstruct terraces at different
production seasons to redistribute soil fertility throughout the farm plots. The negative impacts of
terracing according to most respondents that for fragmented and small size farm plots terraces create
scarce of land and labor intensive. When sudden destruction happens on a single upslope terrace, a
serious destruction goes to happen on the remaining down slope terraces which results a huge amount
of soil erosion. However, very few of the farmers are willing to accept the method, because of its above
negative side impacts. However, aside to these demands, today contour planting of trees and perennial
crops such as chat, coffee, and fruit plants is becoming other newly introduced alternative method of
soil and water conservation in the form of agro-forestry, especially around the homesteads.

In the study area, it was observed that alley cropping is adapted as a system of cultivating perennial
crops (like chat, coffee and different fruits) with annual crops at the same farm plot. seeds are improved
and environmentally adapted seeds usually distributed by Agricultural Offices. The principal seeds
preferably adopted in the study area are coffee, maize and dagussa. Agro-forestry practices where
agricultural or horticultural crops are grown by intercropping annual and perennial crops that yield
varied products and revenues effectively use available space and resources.

Table 4.5 The land management practice and its percentage of sample area

Sample Kebeles
Management practices Abbichu (N=51) in Samarro Qarsaa (N=69) Percent (%)
percent (%) in percent (%)
Traditional methods
Fallowing 6% 29% 35%
Contour ploughing 24% 42% 66%
Crop rotation 18% 27% 45%
Manure 12% 19 31%
Kraal 17% 14% 31%
Vegetation 46% 48% 94%
Inter cropping 43% 41% 84%
 Modern methods
Terracing 23% 15% 38%
Compost 21% 19% 40%
Inorganic fertilizers 35% 30% 65%

Generally speaking, despite the sample kebeles are found in the study area have slight differences in
application of management like compost, vegetation and contour ploughing as such significant
differences are not recorded on most types of farmland management

4.3. Determining Factors of the Adoption and Implementation of Improved

Farmland Management Practices
There are numerous factors by which farmers are negatively or positively influenced to adopt and
implement improved farmland management practices. In fact, it is argumentative to categorize
management techniques into improved (modern) or traditional. The functionality and effectiveness of a
particular farmland management technique differs with spatial, temporal, cultural and technological
differences. These include methods that help to maintain organic soil fertility (like compost and
vegetation) and chemical fertilizers. The others are soil and water conservation methods.

The results of the statistical estimations reveal that the more number of livestock a farmer owns enables
to apply compost on his/her farm plots. The main reason is because larger proportion of the manures is
obtained from livestock. The number of livestock farmers own has a positive and strong impact on the
application of compost. Farmers who are learned for DAs advices are more likely to apply compost.
Livestock is not important component of the farming system in the area. The results similarly indicate
that literacy and farmers’ contact with DAs are positively affecting the application of compost.

The other farmland management methods considered are vegetation (tree planting and agro- forestry)
and terracing. The major determinants of these management practices are depicted on. Vegetation has
positive relationships with sex and DAs advices, in a sense that vegetation increases with increasing in
the number of male headed households and the number of households whom they contact with DAs and
get advices.

The other clear determining factors raised by large number of respondents as constraint were their
energy sources and land scarcity leads bad land conservation system. In the study area, crop residues
like maize stalk, and other plants are widely used for fuel energy and even popularly play great role for
commercial purposes.
Agricultural experts of the Woreda (mainly from Agricultural and Rural Development Office and
Environmental Protection and Land Administration and Use office) in the same manner blamed the
culture of the society (ploughing system, unwillingness of farmers’ land carrying responsibility). Most
of my respondents stated that grazing is not obvious like in many other parts of Ethiopia. This is
because, cattle are not many in number in the study area which creates a serious hindrance on
vegetation and causes destruction structural conservation measures.

The farming system is popularly traditional oxen- pull oriented which needs farm plots to be wider and
free of barriers and the same is true for soil stuffing. The problem is, therefore, how to make structural
management systems like terraces including stone terraces familiar with this system. As it was
understood from the discussions, shortage of land is likely to be the other apparent determining factor.
Shortage of land alters vegetation like planting of perennial crops and forces farmers to be seasonal and
cereal crop oriented and in turn makes farm plots bare for a long period of time after harvesting.

The management methods especially the structural ones predominantly contour ploughing, through the
participation of the community where it is needed at a farm plot and around bare lands to conserve and
protect from the wind and runoff destruction. The how and where to implement questions also lead us,
for example, to keter and compost application. It is not understood that if properly applied, keter is
undoubtly benefiting method of soil and water conservation to be put in practice. But, to the sloping
farm plots, traditional ditches are considered as adequate. This simply means downward flow of water
and removal of soils is not checked making the constructed terracing valueless and causes unintended
extravagance on the farm plots.

Unlike their positive impacts, introduced methods are putting under question the functionality and
sustainability of relatively less costly environmentally adapted indigenous management methods, like
kraal and contour ploughing in the study area. The main problem here is, insignificantly, to give less
value for indigenous methods and the presence of poor understanding the introduced or modern
management techniques.

The study has, moreover, acquired that the discussions are held usually at kebele level through oral
discussions. Limited access to field trainings and unpopularity of inviting the majority farmers for such
discussions and trainings on the other hand is the main challenge to put improved land management in
practice for others.
In general, although several management practices are going on in the study area, as the practical
observation, discussions and interviews have indicated, it is difficult to say that they are widely
accepted and more implemented those of improved management practices, since their functionality is
limited only by small number of farmers and farm plots. Traditional management practices take the
dominant share with respect to their intensive implementation, and some of environmentally adapted
and less costly indigenous management practices have got attention. Therefore the main factors hinder
the land management performance of the study area are;
5. Summary, Conclusion and Recommendation
5.1. Summary
This study was aimed to assess farmers’ awareness about the land degradation and their attitude
towards land management practices. The study was made on the premises that the awareness of the
grass root population about environmental degradation and their positive attitude towards land
management practices can contribute to the betterment of the current environmental degradation
problem.

For the sake of this study field survey and structured interview were employed. An awareness test and
attitude scale were developed and administered to investigate farmers’ awareness and attitude. More
than 120 rural households involved in the survey. Who came from two kebeles farmers
administrations of Samaro Qarsa and Abbichu.

Land degradation has been the most serious problem that has threatened the life of millions of people
in Ethiopia. The causes of land degradation are complex which influenced by natural and socio-
economic factors.

Soil erosion and deforestation has been considered as most important causes of land degradation by
all of the respondents. The level of awareness was observed in farmers’ who took part in this study
about the causes and consequence of land degradation and management practices. Poor farming
practices, shortage of land, absence of crop rotation, over population, over cultivation and rugged
topography occupies the first traced as causes of land degradation by respondents 91.8%. Factors
like, overgrazing, shortage of agricultural experts (DAs), shortage of fertilizer and deforestation
accounts about second 8.2% of the causes were reported. That land degradation leads to loss of
agricultural production, increase the requirement of fertilizers and difficulty of farming have been
mentioned by more selected people.

Some of the most important effects of land degradation like educational background, family size,
poverty and economic backwardness have been mentioned by less than 10% of the respondents. High
awareness was also observed in land management practices, all of the respondents indicate mixed
cropping as most important practices of land management. The practices like crop rotation, making
waterways, tree planting and rotational grazing has been mentioned, Contour plowing and fallowing
were reported by respondents. The fewer usage of fallowing is not unexpected as many of the
respondents lack awareness about the practices and shortage of land holding.
Friends and relatives have been mentioned by all of the respondents as source of information in land
management practices. Extension agents mentioned by 84% of the respondents. Radio was mentioned
only by 57.5% of the respondents’ as source of information for land management practices.
Trainings, schools and print media and print media as a source were mentioned by less percentage
number of the respondents.

Factors Affecting Farmers’ Awareness and Attitude was used to evaluate the association between
groups of farmers’ awareness of and attitude about issues relating to land degradation and
management practices. A significance association was found between farmers’ of young age (16-49)
and old (≥50) age groups in their awareness about issues related to the problem of land degradation
and management practices. Higher performance in attitudinal statement in young age group is an
indication of as they have acquired favorable attitude than their counter parts in 12 of the 15 items.

Farmers who attend schools of higher grades have better awareness than their counter parts in the
issues related to land degradation problems and they have favorable attitude towards land
management practices.
5.2. Conclusion
The general objective of this research is to identify factors that determine farmers’ decision to use
certain land management practices in Sayo Nole District, Oromia Regional State. The findings of the
research seem to show that the district is experiencing increasing land degradation. Based on the
findings of this study, one could understand that there is a remarkable awareness in the issues related
to land degradation and management practices. However, awareness of farmers in the importance of
land management practices like contour plowing, tree planting, terracing and fallowing are found to
be too low.

The results point to the fact that educational statuses of farmers, farmers’ access to extension services
and farmers’ training have significant positive negative impact on improved land management
practices of the study area.

Assessment of the source of information of farmers on land management practices shows that only
small proportion of farmers indicated mass media, schools and trainings as a source. There is an
opportunity to use mass media and schools to raise their awareness but it has not been used properly.
Even though, mass media, schools and trainings are believed to be among the most important tools
for awareness rising in environmental protection and natural resource management, while the result of
such use has not been adequately investigated. The participants of this study had a favorable attitude
in most issues related to land management practices. Their attitude, however, in some of the practices
like plowing sloppy areas, terracing and planting trees on the farm seems unfavorable and it is
economical.

A significant association was found between farmers of different age group in their awareness of land
degradation problems and attitude towards land management practices. Young farmers of age 15 to
50 seem relatively better aware of the problem of land degradation and land management practices.
Farmers who attended formal schooling performed better than those who did not. The association is
significant. It is in accordance with the findings of other studies that education is one of the factors
that determine awareness and attitude of farmers about environmental issues.

The problem of properly integrating indigenous farmland management techniques with that of the
newly introduced ones (such as keter and diversion ditches and waterways, and compost with and
dallaa) has also applicable influences particularly on the implementation and sustainability of the
management methods. Absence of other alternative off-farm activities to wait for requiring of long
periods of time to make management techniques effective, its own direct or indirect limitations on
adoption and implementation of improved farmland management practices.

Farmers’ trainings and community discussions are predominantly not taken place with the help of
field works and demonstrations. The discussions are concentrated only among dwellers of a single
locality where integration and sharing of different experiences and knowledge cannot be developed.
5.3. Recommendation
Based on the findings of this study, the following recommendations are proposed:
1. The government and non-governmental organization should consider assisting the farmers in
the form of credit to enable them take action to sustain land management practices
2. Training program which was provided technical assistance for farmers should be practical by
emphasizing on the indigenous knowledge and modern management practices in a particular
area.
3. To sustainable land management practices development agents (DAs) to more emphasis on
spread information to farmers and address the needs.
4. Awareness raising program should include family planning education as well. The need for
land management practices which should be done mostly on radio and television so as to
create more awareness and favorable attitude of farmers.
5. On the basis of the findings discussed and analyzed, which are from the data obtained through
different instruments, the following recommendations are provided for appropriate
management of effective and sustainable land management practices.
 6. Management should be given for adoption and proper use of organic fertilizers and improved
structural soil and water conservation measures to maintain sustainable soil fertility and
productivity.
7. Crop residues and other dead plats are using as a source of cash which largely reduces soil
erosion and used as fertilizers. Amount of money spent every year from farmers of the
woreda to purchase inorganic fertilizers reduce. Therefore, once farmers understand how
much money they can save when organic fertilizers are applied compensating application of
inorganic fertilizers, farmers themselves will tend to avoid these activities though it may
require longer time. This definitely requires continuous and wide spread awareness creation.
8. Alternative energy sources should be developed to minimize wood and crop residue
consumption.
9. Alternative off-farm engagements should be expanded so as to enable farmers to afford risks
which result from failure. This is because while management techniques are put into force for
the first time, unexpected failure can happens. It is also prominently important to enable
farmers waiting for time taking processes of organic fertilizers to be fruitful.
10. Modern management methods should not take the advantage of applying indigenous
management methods. While land management methods should also be appropriately
integrated with that of indigenous management methods.
11. Soil and water conservation measures should be implemented appropriately on farm plots
where they are needed. For example, where terracing (keter) is found necessary to be
implemented at farm plots especially from the study area of Abbichu kebele, the adjacent up
slopping and lower slopping land plots should be the beneficiaries of the construction. The
reason is because contour is developed usually at lower farm plots in the study area, when the
upper farm plots are not sloppy.

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Acronyms

 ADLI- Agriculture Development Led Industrialization

 DA- Development Agriculture –
 DA-Development Agriculture
 EEPFE- Environmental Economics Policy Forum for Ethiopia
 ETB- Ethiopian Birr
 FAO-Food Aid Organization
 FLM-Farm Land Management
 FLMP-Farm Land Management Practices
 GDP- Gross Domestic Product
 ILRI - International Livestock Research Institute
 IPM -Integrated pest management
 MASL- Meters Above Sea Level (m.a.s.l)
 MOA- Ministry of Agriculture
 NRM- Natural Resource Management
 NRM- Natural Resource Management
 SARD- Sustainable Agricultural And Rural Development
 Shh - Sample Households
 SSA- Sub Saharan Africa
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