Impact of soil and water conservation practices on crop income in tembaro district, southern Ethiopia.
Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT:
SUBMITTER: Tesfayohannes S
PROVIDER: S-EPMC9396550 | biostudies-literature | 2022 Aug
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Publications
Impact of soil and water conservation practices on crop income in tembaro district, southern Ethiopia.
Tesfayohannes Seyfu S Kassa Getahun G Mulat Yared Y
Heliyon 20220810 8
This study investigated the impact of soil and water conservation practices on crop income in the Tembaro district, Kembata Tembaro zone, Southern Ethiopia. We selected 236 households using stratified sampling. For this study, we collected primary data through structured questionnaires, focus group discussions, and interviews with key informants. Propensity score matching was used to investigate the impacts of soil conservation initiatives on agricultural income. Age, distance from the farmer's ...[more]
Similar Datasets
Project description:In Ethiopia, soil degradation is one of the major causes of low and declining agricultural productivity. As a result of this challenge, the country has been battling to adopt conservation practices. The main objective of this study was to assess farmers' adoption decisions of soil and water conservation (SWC) practices. For the survey, 304 farmers were selected from farming communities in Lege-Lafto Watershed, South Wollo,Ethiopia. Information were gathered using a household survey, and through focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and field observation. A binary logistic regression model and descriptive statistics were used to analyze the data. The results indicated that about 64% of the farmers adopted soil and water conservation practices in the study area. The findings depicted that soil bund, stone bund, stone-faced soil bund, loose stone and brush-wood check dams, hillside terrace, and bund stabilized with vegetation are practiced in the watershed. The analysis result revealed adoption of soil and water conservation practices is significantly and positively influenced by the perception of farmers on erosion problems and SWC practices, family labour, educational level, and membership in local institutions. However, distance from residence to the nearest market and farmland, off-farm activities, and the ratio of cultivable land to family size influenced the adoption of SWC practices negatively. Therefore, improving farmers' educational status, and strengthening local institutions are vital for sustainable land management practices in the country.
| S-EPMC9000098 | biostudies-literature
Project description:The degradation of soil and water resources has underpinned the chronic household level food insecurity in Ethiopia. The Purpose of the study was to assess the perceived effectiveness of soil and water conservation practices in the study area, and recommend sustainable planning, and management measures. The data for this study were collected via household interview schedule, focus group discussion, key informant interview, and personal observation. Data collected through household survey questionnaire were analysed with the help of simple ddescriptive statistics (mean, standard deviations, percentages, frequencies, and cross tabulation). Chi-squire test was used to see the difference between nominal/categorical dependent variable and the nominal independent variable. Qualitative data were analysed through thematic analysis, and narration. Over cultivation, deforestation, overgrazing, runoff from upslope and the easily erodible nature of the soil, poor agricultural practices, absence of appropriate soil conservation practices, over Population, intensity of rainfall, and cultivation of steep slopes and marginal lands without adequate erosion-controlling measures were identified as causes of soil erosion in the study area. The major structural soil and water conservation measures identified in the study area include: waterway, contour ploughing, cultural ditches, mulching, fallowing, soil bund, agroforestry, tree planting, area closure, cut off-drains, and wood check dams. The major challenges for implementing structural soil and water conservation measures identified in the study area include: physical soil conservation structures were not supported by biological works, lack of regular maintenance of soil and water conservation structures, and absence of care for trees planted on physical structures. A combination of structural and non-structural soil and water conservation measures should be practiced in the study area to achieve the sustainable development goals in agricultural development sector.
| S-EPMC10862678 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundHousehold water treatment and handling is an important component of a global strategy to provide safe water to millions of people who live without adequate water currently. Household water treatment at the point of use also helps to improve drinking water quality for millions who suffer due to contamination of their drinking water. This study aims to assess household-level water treatment practices and associated factors in Southern Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted among selected households using a systematical random sampling technique in Bule town. Data was collected using a pretested, structured questionnaire and analyzed using STATA version 16. A variable with a P-value ⩽ .25 in bi-variable regression was entered into multivariable regression and then a variable with a P-value ⩽ .05 was taken as statistically significant.ResultsThe study found that only 29.9% (with a 95% CI: 25.3-34.6) of households have good water treatment practices for drinking purposes. Regarding predictors of household-level water treatment practices, respondents who had good knowledge were 5 times (AOR = 6.98, 95% CI = 4.01-11.9) more likely to practice household-level water treatment than their counterparts. In addition, respondents who earn more than 3000 ETB per month are twofold more likely to practice household water treatment than those with an average monthly income of less than 1000 ETB (AOR = 2.37, 95% CI = 1.22-4.60).ConclusionsHousehold-level water treatment was less common in Bule town. The household's monthly income and their knowledge status were found to be the determinants of household-level water treatment practices in the study area.
| S-EPMC9243476 | biostudies-literature
Project description:While the benefits of soil water management practices relative to soil erosion have been extensively documented, evidence regarding their effect on yields is inconclusive. Following a strong El-Niño, some regions of Ethiopia experienced major droughts during the 2015/16 agricultural season. Using the propensity scores method on a nationally representative survey in Ethiopia, this study investigates the effect of two widely adopted soil water management practices - terraces and contour bunds - on yields and assesses their potential to mitigate the effects of climate change. It is shown that at the national level, terraced plots have slightly lower yields than non-terraced plots. However, data support the hypothesis that terraced plots acted as a buffer against the 2015 Ethiopian drought, while contour bunds did not. This study provides evidence that terraces have the potential to help farmer deal with current climate risks. These results can inform the design of climate change adaptation policies and improve targeting of soil water management practices in Ethiopia.
| S-EPMC5985715 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundHousehold water treatment practice or managing water at the point-of-use provides a means of improving drinking water quality and preventing diarrheal diseases. However, evidence regarding household water treatment practice and associated factors in Ethiopia, particularly in Southern Ethiopia are limited. This study was, therefore, designed to assess household water treatment practice and associated factors among households in Southern Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 627 households in Southern Ethiopia. A stratified random sampling technique was used in this study and a pre-tested structured questionnaire was used to collect data about household water treatment practice and associated factors among selected households through face-to-face interviews. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tests and binary logistic regression was performed to assess the association between independent and dependent variables. Odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals were used to determine the level of association.ResultsThis study revealed that the level of household water treatment practice was 34.3% with 95% CI (30.7-38.1) and boiling was the most common method of household water treatment in the study area. Educational status of having formal education (AOR = 2.01, 95% CI = 1.34-3), withdrawing water from storage vessel by dipping (AOR = 1.86, 95% CI = 1.2-2.87) and frequency of fetching water 3 or more times and above a day (AOR = 2.65, 95% CI = 1.45-4.88) were significantly associated with household water treatment practice.ConclusionHousehold water treatment practice is low in the study area. Educational status of having a formal education, drawing water by dipping, and those who collect their drinking water 3 or more times a day were predictors of household water treatment practice. Thus, efforts should be made to increase the level of household water treatment practice especially among those with no formal education and further studies should be conducted to understand the behavioral factors associated with household water treatment practice.
| S-EPMC8637709 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThe sustainability of paddy production systems in South Asia has recently been affected by a decline in soil health and excessive water usage. As a response to the global energy crisis, escalating costs of synthetic fertilisers, and growing environmental concerns, the utilization of organic plant-nutrient sources has gained considerable attention. Emerging adaptation technologies, including conservation tillage and innovative approaches to fertilizer management, present practical choices that can significantly contribute to the long-term preservation of soil fertility.MethodsThe two year-long field experiment was completed in sandy loam soil during rainy (Kharif) seasons in 2019 and 2020 at the crop research centre farm of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel University of Agricultural & Technology, Meerut, Uttar Pradesh to analyze the impacts of different tillage establishment of the crop and its methodologies as well as integrated nutritional management approaches on rice growth, yield, productivity of water, nutrient uptake, and fertility status of soil under a rice-wheat rotation system. The experiment was set up in a factorial randomized block design and replicated three times in a semi-arid subtropical environment.ResultsThe conventionally transplanted rice puddled (CT-TPR) grew substantially better taller plants, and higher dry matter buildup leads to increased yields than transplanted rice under raised wide bed (WBed-TPR). WBed-TPR plots had more tillers, LAI, CGR, RGR, and yield characteristics of the rice in two year study. CT-TPR increased grain yield by 4.39 and 4.03% over WBed-TPR in 2019 and 2020, while WBed-TPR produced the highest water productivity (0.44 kg m-3) than CT-TPR, respectively. The 100% RDF+ ZnSO4 25 kg ha-1 + FYM (5 t ha-1) + PSB (5 kg ha-1) + Azotobacter 20 kg ha-1 (N6) treatment outperformed the other fertiliser management practices in terms of crop growth parameters, yields of grain (4,903 and 5,018 kg ha-1), nutrient uptake and NPK availability, organic soil carbon. Among the fertilizer management practices, with the direct applications of the recommended dose of fertilizer (RDF), farm yard manure (FYM), phosphate solubilizing bacteria (PSB), Azatobactor and zinc worked synergistically and increased grain yields by 53.4, 51.3, 47.9 and 46.2% over their respective control treatment.ConclusionsTo enhance rice productivity and promote soil health, the study suggests that adopting conservation tillage-based establishment practices and implementing effective fertilizer management techniques could serve as practical alternatives. It is concluded that the rice yield was improved by the inclusive use of inorganic fertiliser and organic manure (FYM). Additionally, the study observed that the combination of conventional puddled transplanted rice (CT-TPR) and N6 nitrogen application resulted in enhanced rice crop productivity and improved soil health.
| S-EPMC10625351 | biostudies-literature
Project description:This study was conducted in Farta district, south Gondar from 2019 to 2020 cropping years to identify rodent pest species and estimate damage caused on barley crops. Four independent barley crop fields (40 x 40 m each) were sampled randomly to estimate the loss. Two were located near Alemsaga Priority State Forest and the other two were away from the forest. Four (2 x 2 m) rodent exclusion plots were established at 10 m interval as control units in each selected experimental barley fields using fine wire mesh. Rodent pest species were collected using both Sherman and snap traps throughout the different crop growing stages. The damaged and undamaged barley tillers by pest rodents were counted on five 1 x 1 m randomly sampled quadrats for each selected experimental fields. Variations on pest rodent population between cropping years and sites were analyzed using Chi square test. The mean crop damages between cropping years and experimental field sites were analyzed using two way ANOVA. Arvicanthis abyssinicus, Mastomys natalensis, Arvicanthis dembeensis, Mus musculus, Lophuromys simensis, Tachyoryctes splendens and Hystrix cristata were identified as pest rodents in the study area. A total of 968 individual rodents (427 in 2019 and 541 in 2020) were trapped during the study period. There was a statistical variation (χ2 = 13.42, df = 1 and P<0.05) between trapped individuals of the two successive years. The crop fields near the forest were more vulnerable than away from the forest during both cropping years. Statistical variations was observed on mean crop losses between cropping years and experimental barley crop sites. The highest crop damage was seen at maturity stage and the lowest during sowing in all experimental plots and cropping years. The percentage of barley yield loss due to rodent pests was 21.7 kg ha-1. The monetary value of this yield loss was equivalent to 4875 Birr (121.9 US$ h-1). Alemsaga Forest as shelter and conservation strategies like free of farmland from livestock and terracing for soil conservation have great role for the high rodent pest populations in the study area. Field sanitation, trapping and using restricted rodenticides like zinc phosphide are the possible recommendation to local farmers against rodent pests.
| S-EPMC8360600 | biostudies-literature
Project description:As an effect of forest degradation, soil erosion is among Ethiopia's most pressing environmental challenges and a major threat to food security where it could potentially compromise the ecosystem functions and services. As the effects of soil erosion intensify, the landscape's capacity to support ecosystem functions and services is compromised. Exploring the ecological implications of soil erosion is crucial. This study investigated the soil loss and land degradation in the Lake Abaya catchment to explore forest landscape restoration (FLR) implementation as a possible countermeasure to the effects. The study used a geographic information system (GIS)-based approach of the Revised Universal Soil Loss Equation (RUSLE) to determine the potential annual soil loss and develop an erosion risk map. Results show that 13% of the catchment, which accounts for approximately 110,000 ha, is under high erosion risk of exceeding the average annual tolerable soil loss of 10 t/ha/year. Allocation of land on steep slopes to crop production is the major reason for the calculated high erosion risk in the catchment. A scenario-based analysis was implemented following the slope-based land-use allocation proposal indicated in the Rural Land Use Proclamation 456/2005 of Ethiopia. The scenario analysis resulted in a reversal erosion effect whereby an estimated 3000 t/ha/year of soil loss in the catchment. Thus, FLR activities hold great potential for minimizing soil loss and contributing to supporting functioning and providing ecosystem services. Tree-based agroforestry systems are among the key FLR measures championed in highly degraded landscapes in Ethiopia. This study helps policymakers and FLR implementors identify erosion risk areas for future FLR activities. Thereby, it contributes to achieving the country's restoration commitment.
| S-EPMC10837221 | biostudies-literature
Project description:ResultsThe preliminary survey comprising 70 animal health professionals and animal owners was undertaken through observation, interview using a structured questionnaire, and discussion with key informants to evaluate their handling and management practices of antiprotozoal drugs. According to the finding of this preliminary survey, there was inadequate antiprotozoal drug distribution and only few drugs, namely, diminazene diaceturate, amprolium, and sulfa drugs, were available with different trade names being imported from different manufacturing countries. Among the current available antiprotozoal drugs circulating in the area, those manufactured and imported from China were highly distributed in the majority of veterinary drug shops. The assessment showed that there was a gap in achieving the required knowledge and practice of proper handling and management issues in the professionals and awareness problems in the community. The study indicated that there were inappropriate transportation and storage practices. Moreover, selling drugs without prescription, ignoring farmers without properly informing the drug withdrawal period, and administration of drugs by nonprofessionals were the other most critical and unethical practices in the area. It is emphasized that this inappropriate handling and management practice, scarcity of antiprotozoal drugs, easy accessibility, and distribution by nonprofessionals could potentially affect the quality, safety, and effectiveness of antiprotozoal drugs which may lead to drug resistance development.ConclusionHence, continuous awareness creation in the community, capacity building, training, and upgrading programs to the professionals, as well as strict enforcement of drug control and administration regulation of the country, are essential in the overall effort of improving animal health and productivity through the control of protozoan diseases in and around Asella.
| S-EPMC8075701 | biostudies-literature
Project description:BackgroundThe importance of organic farming has increased through the years to promote food security allied with minimal harm to the ecosystem. Besides the environmental benefits, a recurring problem associated with organic management is the unsatisfactory yield. A possible solution may rely on the soil microbiome, which presents a crucial role in the soil system. Here, we aimed to evaluate the soil bacterial community structure and composition under organic and conventional farming, considering the tropical climate and tropical soil.MethodologyOur organic management treatments were composed by composted poultry manure and green manure with Bokashi. Both organic treatments were based on low nitrogen inputs. We evaluated the soil bacterial community composition by high-throughput sequencing of 16S rRNA genes, soil fertility, and soil enzyme activity in two organic farming systems, one conventional and the last transitional from conventional to organic.ResultsWe observed that both organic systems evaluated in this study, have higher yield than the conventional treatment, even in a year with drought conditions. These yield results are highly correlated with changes in soil chemical properties and enzymatic activity. The attributes pH, Ca, P, alkaline phosphatase, and β- glucosidase activity are positively correlated with organic systems, while K and Al are correlated with conventional treatment. Also, our results show in the organic systems the changes in the soil bacteria community, being phyla Acidobacteria, Firmicutes, Nitrospirae, and Rokubacteria the most abundant. These phyla were correlated with soil biochemical changes in the organic systems, helping to increase crop yields.ConclusionDifferent organic management systems, (the so-called natural and organic management systems, which use distinct organic sources), shift the soil bacterial community composition, implying changes in their functionalities. Also, our results contributed to the identification of target bacterial groups and changes in soil chemical properties and enzymatic activity in a trophic organic farming system, which may contribute to higher crop yields.
| S-EPMC8465994 | biostudies-literature