STATUS OF SOIL-WATER CONSERVATION PRACTICES OF FARMERS IN MESKAN WEREDA, GURAGE ZONE, SNNPR, ETHIOPIA

ABSTRACT The researchfocusedon the assessment of the status of land degradation and soil conservation practices of farming households in Meskan woreda of Guraghe zone. Descriptive survey method andboth quantitative and qualitative approaches were employed. To address the specific objectives primary data was collected from 372farming households from two kebeles. In addition to the semi-structured interviewtwo focus group discussions and two key informant sessions comprising 16 FGD members and 6 key informant interviewees and on site observations were carried out to elicit information. Results indicated that soil -water conservation was highly traditional that is 60% of the sample households tend to this practice neglecting the introduced soil conservation technologies such as Fan Yajuu, stone bund, bench terrace and others. Hence, traditional trend is believed to aggravate the land degradation situation of the study area. (72.7%) of the respondents practically observed the grave issue in their locality due to their mal practice mentioned above. Moreover this , 78.2% of the sample farmers emphasized the ill effects of demolishing the constructed physical structures which is a big threat enhancing land degradation in the study area. A considerable figure of the sample households (44.5%) anticipate the government to intervene in the soil water- protection program of their localities.