ASSESSEMENT OF SOIL AND WATER CONSERVATION PRACTICES IN WOGDIE WOREDA, SOUTH WOLLO ZONE,AMHARA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

<strong>ABSTRACT</strong>: Various soil conservation practices were introduced in Ethiopia. However, performance and structural effectiveness were still below the expectation. The study was conducted in Wogdie Woreda, to assess soil and water conservation practice, to examine the current status mechanisms, to identify factors of soil and water conservation and to examine indigenous knowledge of soil and water conservation. The data were collected from 146 house hold heads selected randomly from three sample kebeles. Both qualitative and quantitative data were used to have reliable information. The basic data collection tools were questionnaires, key informant interviews and field observation. Descriptive and inferential statistics were employed. Both indigenous and improved measures are practicing in the study area. About 61% of the sampled farmers practiced soil and water conservation measures continuously and 39% were not. It is influenced by Demographic, socio-economic, institutional and natural factors. As the statistical t test and chi-square test results indicated that sex of households, off-farm activities, land size, family size, age, Marital status, and level of education had significantly affect soil and water conservation practices whereas, land slope, credit access, and farm distance were not significant relation. Therefore, the study suggests natural, socio-economical, and institutional factors identified in the study area should be given attention when recognized soil and water conservation practices and continuous follow up during and after implementation should be given attention by government and non-governmental organizations.