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| Assessment of socio- economic constraints in implementing soil and water conservation measures in Amaro special woreda, SNNPR state, Ethiopia
Mensur Dessie,
Mekele University, P.O.Box ……, Agri-Service Ethiopia, P.O.Box 2460
ABSTRACT
Amaro Special Woreda where the study was conducted belongs to one of the woredas ranked by SNNPR state as food insecured and unable to manage resources despite its considerable agricultural and environmental potential. Lack of infrastructure, late governmental and NGOs intervention in to the area coupled with unfavorable socio-economic condition of the community were greatly influenced the implementation of agricultural development activities and new conservation technologies. Recently, ASE Amaro PO entered in to the area to avert the problem. Socio-economic factors along with the communities’ less adaptability to development activities in general and SWC in particular in the study area become the major obstacles to implement conservation measures. This study was intended to add its own contribution by assessing such problems related to application of conservation methods and carried out in 2003 cropping season.
The objectives of the study are to assess socio-economic constraints in implementing SWC measures, propose ways for bringing about attitudinal changes towards the techniques and to identify opportunities to familiarize farmer’s with the technology consistently with their farming practices. Interviews, group discussion, field observation and secondary data collection were the methods employed to conduct the study. The result of the study showed that lack of awareness about conservation methods, poverity of the farmers, limitation of labour, inintegrity and believes, illiteracy and natural conservatism of the community were the major constraints in implementing SWC measures. The results of all have hampered the application of appropriate conservation techniques. That is why practical work has not been seen in the field other than recent attempts of ASE.
Practical training for awareness raising, cost effective conservation methods, conceiving farmers with the contribution of SWC works and the need for integrity and consistency is, therefore, recommended.
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