Farmers’ Adoption of Soil and Water Conservation Technology: A Case Study of The Bokole and Toni Sub-Watersheds, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

In order to investigate the rate of adoption, and factors affecting dissemination of soil and water conservation (SWC) technologies, a formal survey was conducted with 201 households in two sub-watersheds of Bokole and Toni in southern Ethiopia. Key-informant interviews and an archival search were also conducted. The majority of farmers perceived that SWC structures reduce surface run-off and erosion. Among ten variables, the binary logit test showed that farmland size (P<0.1) and workability of structures (P<0.05) were significantly correlated with adoption in Bokole sub-watershed. In Toni sub-watershed, the distance from the nearest local market showed significantly negative (P<0.05) correlation with adoption. Other variables such as number of cattle, family size, frequency of contact with development agent, age, educational level, responsibility in the kebele and perception of the seriousness of erosion, showed various effects. The study revealed that socioeconomic factors influenced the adoption of SWC technologies, and should therefore be considered in planning such interventions.