Factors influencing the adoption of soil conservation measures: a case study in Gairo, Kilosa district
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Date
2000
Authors
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Journal ISSN
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Publisher
Sokoine University of Agriculture
Abstract
Gairo division is a semi-rid area and like other semi-arid areas it faces the problem of land degradation. Because of this, Gairo Agroforestry and Land Use Project (GALUP) has been carrying out activities that aim at reversing the trend through recommending various soil conservation measures. The overall objective of the study was to examine factors that influence adoption of the recommended soil conservation measures in the division. The specific objectives were: (i) To determine the extent to which the smallholder farmers are aware of the problem of land degradation; (ii) To determine the extent to which smallholder farmer have adopted the different soil conservation measures; and (iii) To identify factors that influence the adoption of the soil
conservation measures. Data were collected from 114 randomly selected households in purposively selected villages using a structured questionnaire. Descriptive and logistic regression analyses using Statistical Package for Social Sciences were employed as major tools of analysis to determine the
major factors influencing adoption of soil conservation practices. Results of the descriptive analysis
suggest that adoption of the recommended soil conservation practices is influenced by education level, awareness of the land degradation problem, ownership of livestock, ownership of land, farm size and gender of the household head. Results of the logistic regression model show that adoption of the recommended practices is influenced by awareness of the land degradation problems implying that extension education has an important role in this regard. The logistic regression model also show that ownership of land is an important factor influencing the adoption of contour ridges and farm yard manure. Existence of by-laws that restrict activities that degrade the environment and to have clear land use plans appear to be issues to be considered in enhancing the adoption of soil conservation practices. It is recommended that efforts be increased in the area of extension education about soil conservation practices to both women and men. Also,there be emphasis on soil conservation practices that have broader benefits to the smallholder farmers to enhance widespread adoption.
Description
Dissertation
Keywords
Land degradation, Agroforestry, Smallholder farmer, Soil conservation