Abstract

The severity of erosion is one of the major factors which calls for various efforts to reduce unsustainable agricultural productivity. But the efforts were fails because of some factors like need of incentives, technology that needs too much labor, reduction of farm size and lack of awareness. The main purpose of this research was to determine the factors affecting farmer’s perception to make decision on soil and water conservation practices on their farm land. A total of 36 (20 male and 16 female) household samples from three zones of Obi Koji, West Ethiopia were selected proportionally to the population size, respectively. Data was being collected in the form of interview, questioner and field observations and secondary data from documented files. Direct household survey and formal interview method were used to take sampling. The study was focused on the determinant factors which affect the decision of farmers to adopt soil and water conservation practices in their local conditions. Majority of the farmers have awareness about the introduced soil and water conservation (SWC) and few of them implements it. The rest uses cultural practices such as diversion ditch and water ways. Nonetheless, the sustainability of the implemented structures was unlikely. The study concluded that many of those problems were related lack of real participation of farmers in planning of conservation effort. Lastly, the carefully pursue of a farmer participatory approach especially on planning and fair distribution of training among the zone of Kebeles is a core issue.

Key words: Conservation practices, farmer’s perception, soil and water conservation.