Abstract: Land degradation is a critical issue in southern Ethiopia, contributing significantly to food insecurity and rural migration. Despite various intervention programs, the management of this vital resource remains inadequate, leading to declining productivity. This study investigates impact of socio-economic and environmental factors on land restoration initiatives for adoption of soil and water conservation practices. A total of 149 household heads were selected using probability proportional method from three villages with data collected through structured questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistics using a probit model were employed to analyze the data. Result showed that the role of extension agents is emphasized; as contact with these professionals significantly boosts adoption rates soil and water conservation practices. The analysis reveals significant differences in the adoption of agricultural practices among adopters and non-adopters, particularly for soil bund construction and terrace construction. For soil bund construction, adopters demonstrate a mean value of approximately 2.5 compared to 0.5 for non-adopters, with a statistically significant t-test result (t = 3.194, p = 0.038). The result indicated that those who adopt this practice are more effective and engaged, possibly due to enhanced skills from training offered. Overall, these findings underscore the importance of targeted training programs to promote effective agricultural practices and highlight the need to understand barriers faced by non-adopters. In conclusion, the analysis highlights significant differences in the adoption of soil bund construction and terrace construction practices among farmers. Adopters of soil bund construction are notably more effective, likely due to targeted training. These findings emphasize the necessity of focused training programs to enhance agricultural practices with respect to soil and water conservation and address barriers faced by non-adopters to enhance the Green Legacy initiative outcomes in more sustainable manner.
Abstract: Land degradation is a critical issue in southern Ethiopia, contributing significantly to food insecurity and rural migration. Despite various intervention programs, the management of this vital resource remains inadequate, leading to declining productivity. This study investigates impact of socio-economic and environmental factors on land restorati...Show More
Ongang’a Peter Odhiambo*,Omoga Charles Owuor,Mwongula Albert
Issue:
Volume 3, Issue 1, March 2025
Pages:
12-23
Received:
7 April 2025
Accepted:
18 April 2025
Published:
19 May 2025
DOI:
10.11648/j.wjast.20250301.12
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Abstract: Climate change impacts in Busia County have direct effects on reduced and unpredictable rainfalls and indirect effects of reduced availability of livestock fodder for the smallholder dairy farming. Despite the immense contribution of this sub-sector to the county’s Gross Domestic Product, not much has been done to profile the direct effects on smallholder dairy farming and how farmers cope with them. To produce effective strategies for managing and coping with climate variability, there is need for smallholder dairy farmers to differentiate climate-related risks from other agricultural production risks. Clearer understanding of climate-related risks and their associated impacts on livestock production forms the foundation for continued learning and choice of strategies that are likely to enhance mitigation measures. This study therefore delved into understanding the drought impacts and how smallholder dairy farmers in Teso South Sub-County cope with them. Mixed design approach was employed. Primary data was collected using semi-structured interview schedules from 246 smallholder dairy farmers. Data was analysed using descriptive and inferential statistics (ANOVA) via SPSS Version 23. Results showed that the impact of drought was moderate but had no statistically significant difference among the various agroecological zones. The study also discovered that the various coping mechanisms of interest were not commonly utilised by farmers but showed significant variations within the three agroecological zones. The study recommended that further research should be done to determine the commonly used drought coping mechanisms in the area since it was apparent that drought had an impact on smallholder dairy production.
Abstract: Climate change impacts in Busia County have direct effects on reduced and unpredictable rainfalls and indirect effects of reduced availability of livestock fodder for the smallholder dairy farming. Despite the immense contribution of this sub-sector to the county’s Gross Domestic Product, not much has been done to profile the direct effects on smal...Show More