Land Management Practices and their Contribution to Crop Production and
Soil Erosion Control in the Bale Eco-Region, South-eastern Ethiopia
Abstract
In our study, the impact of adoption of improved land management
practices on crop productivity and soil erosion control in the Bale
Eco-Region, South Eastern Ethiopia. Both purposive and stratified
sampling techniques were used to collect primary data. Secondary data
were also collected from government offices report, Kebeles Level
reports and Oromia region land administration proclamation. The study
area was stratified into three strata, based on distinct agro-ecologies,
i.e., highland-, mid-altitude-and lowland area and then, one District
from each agro-ecology were purposively selected. Two Kebeles from each
District were purposively selected based on land management practices.
Simple random sampling technique was used to select 165 households. A
household survey, group discussions and key informant interviews were
carried out. Descriptive statistics, Chi-square and mean comparison were
used for data analysis. The results show that inter-cropping, crop
rotation, mulching, animal manure, traditional rotational grazing and
traditional terracing were the most common indigenous land management
practices in the study area. Improved terracing, composting, application
of inorganic fertilizers, improved crop seed, agroforestry and cutting
and carrying system were observed as improved land management practices.
The results show a significant difference in crop productivity and soil
erosion control between so-called adopters of improved land management
practices and non-adopters.
