ADIGRAT UNIVERSITY

COLLAGE OF AGRICULTURE AND ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

DEPARTMENT OF ENVIRONMENTAL SCIENCE

TITLE: FARMER PERCEPTION ON SOIL FERTILITY AND LOCAL

SOIL MANAGEMENT PRACTICE

FINAL RESEARCH

NAME OF THE GROUP MEMBER ID

1. BESF TEKUARI 0088/07

2. HIWOT NEGASH 0104/07
3. BERIHU EZRA 0087/07

ADVISOR NAME MUUZ.G

SUBMITTED TO: Adigrat University Department of Environmental science

in partial fulfillment of the requirements B.Sc. Degree in the course senior
seminar research method in Environmental science.

DATE; May, 2017

ADIGRAT, ETHIOPIA
I
 ACKNOWLEDGEMENT

First of all, we would like to thank GOD for his support in all activities while conducting this
study

Secondly, we would like to give thanks to our advisor MUUZ. G (MSc) for his critical advice,
detailed comments and constructive suggestions.

Finally, we would like to give the deep heartfelt regards to Ganta Afeshum Woreda agricultural
office members.

II
 Abstract

This study was conducted in Ganta Afushum woreda in Sasun and Dibla kebele in Tigray
region, Ethiopia. The main objective of the study is to assess farmers perception of soil
fertility and local soil fertility management practices. Farmer and scientists understand the
soil fertility by different ways .Soil fertility is the status of the soil with respect to supply
elements essential for plant growth, for yield production and productivity. Further soils
have an adequate and balanced supply of elements sufficiently to satisfy the needs of the
plant and human. There are many types of soil fertility management practices like terraces
or stone bunds, crop rotation, tillage practices, crop residues etc. Our attention was to
collect data after that review the perceptions of farmer on soil fertility and to evaluate soil
fertility management practices in the study area; data of the study was collected through
open and closed ended questionnaires from 42 households with different percent of sample
size in the study area. Then after, probability sampling method was applied. Finally the
data was analyzed and represented using simple statistical methods like tables and
percentages. During the interviews, and structural questionnaires of 42 respondents give
information regarding to the soil fertility indicators and local management practices were
mentioned by farmers as tools they used in assessing the fertility of their soils. The majority
of respondents were male headed, farmers identify their soil rely on crop yield production
and productivity, allocation of resources fields were characterized as fertile or infertile or
medium soil in the study area. Farmers in the study area use organic fertilizer in order to
reduce soil erosion, to enhance soil fertility, to increase production and productivity unlike,
chemical fertilizer. Farmers in the study area knows the risks or negative effects of using
excessive chemical fertilizer on the environmental indicators i.e. (soil, water and air ) and
impact on human health, like the increasingly exposed lands, the taking on use of
agrochemicals for increased agricultural production and productivity, has led serious
concerns as to the risk posed for impairing of the ecological and social anomic services
from both land and natural water courses, this is exacter bated by the increasingly
variable weather associated with climate change.

Key words: soil, soil fertility, farmer perception

iv
Table of content

Contents page
List of Appendix .......................................................................................................................................... iii
List of Figures ............................................................................................... IError! Bookmark not defined.
List of Tables ................................................................................................. Error! Bookmark not defined.
Table of content ........................................................................................................................................... vI
CHAPTER - ONE ......................................................................................................................................... 1
1 Introduction ........................................................................................................................................... 1
1.1. Background ................................................................................................................................... 1
1.2. Statement of the Problem ............................................................................................................ 3
1.3. Objective ....................................................................................................................................... 3
1.3.1 General objective .................................................................................................................. 3
1.3.2 Specific objectives ................................................................................................................. 3
1.4. Research questions ....................................................................................................................... 3
1.5 Significance of the study.4

1.6 Scope of the study.4

1.7 Limitation of the study4

CHAPTER - TWO ........................................................................................................................................ 5

2 Literature Review.................................................................................................................................. 5
2.1 Soil ................................................................................................................................................. 5
2.1.1 Soil fertility ............................................................................................................................ 5
2.1.2 Farmer perception of soil fertility ......................................................................................... 6
2.1.3 Soil fertility evaluation .......................................................................................................... 6
2.2 Soil fertility management practices .............................................................................................. 7
2.2.1 Soil fertility management...................................................................................................... 7
2.2.2 Tillage practices..................................................................................................................... 7
2.2.3 Terraces ................................................................................................................................. 8
2.2.4 Crop residues ........................................................................................................................ 8

v
 2.2.5 Green manuring .................................................................................................................... 9
2.2.6 Crop rotation ....................................................................................................................... 10
CHAPTER - THREE .................................................................................................................................. 11
3 Material & Methods ............................................................................................................................ 11
3.1 Description of the study area...................................................................................................... 11
3.1.1 Location ............................................................................................................................... 11
3.1.2 Population, Socio-economic and Infrastructures ............................................................... 11
3.1.3 Climate ................................................................................................................................ 12
3.1.4 Topography and soil type.................................................................................................... 12
3.2 Methodology............................................................................................................................... 13
3.2.1 Sources and type of data .................................................................................................... 13
3.2.2 Data collection techniques and sampling method ............................................................. 13
3.2.3 Data analysis ....................................................................................................................... 13
CHAPTER - FOUR .................................................................................................................................... 14
4 Result & Discussion ............................................................................................................................ 14
CHAPTER - FIVE ...................................................................................................................................... 23
5 Conclusion and Recommendation ...................................................................................................... 23
5.1 Conclusion ................................................................................................................................... 23
5.2 Recommendation........................................................................................................................ 25
6 References ........................................................................................................................................... 26
7 Appendix28

vi
List of Tables Page
Table 1; Age of respondents..14
Table 2; Education status of the sample household
heads15
Table3; marital status of the sample household heads15
Table 4; Land holding size (ha)...16
Table 5; Comparisons of chemical and organic fertilizer in the study area..16
Table 6; Farmers used chemical fertilizer for different cereals in the study area..17

Table 7; Farmed manure (cow dung) recommended in quintal hectare for different crops18

Table 8; using compost recommended by Agricultural office worker in Sasun and

Dibla kebele in Gantafeshum woreda for farmer in different crops18

Table 9; Descriptions or characterizations of the poor quality forming land

in the student area19

Table 10; The contributions of organic matter in the study area20

Table 11; Crop rotation user and its importance in Sasun and Dibla kebele20

Table 12; Identifications of farming land quality or

soil fertility in the study area...21

Table 13; physical soil and water conservation structures of local soil fertility
management practices for Cultivated lands in the study area21

vii
List of Appendix page
Questionnaires for farmer and agricultural office worker.28

List of Figures page

Figure 1

Examples of terraces.35

Figure 2

Examples of tillage practices..36

viii
CHAPTER - ONE

1 Introduction

1.1. Background
The Ethiopian economy and the livelihood of its population depend heavily on agriculture. To
sustain and improve the sectors productivity is therefore crucial to the countrys economic
development and to the welfare of its people. Securing food and a livelihood is in extricable
linked to the exploitation of the natures resources base (land, a water and forest) in Ethiopia,
where over 85% of the population lives in rural areas and contribute significantly to the total
export value (Alemneh Dejene,2003).

Integrated natural resources managements enhance food security, the cases for community based
approaches in Ethiopia. The decline of soil fertility is the basic concern for most farmers (Turton
et al, 1995) and their adoption of improved techniques has been limited (Shreta etal 2000). Even
though much of this is poor dissemination path ways resulting from inadequacies in the
agricultural system, an important factor may be the various ways that farmers, extension workers
and researchers will perceive and assess soil fertility, leading to differences in the problem
perceived and solution required. The farmers knowledge of soil fertility has been largely
ignored by soil researchers, but with increasing use of participatory approaches of research, it is
becoming clear that farmer have a well developed to knowledge perceive differences in the level
of soil fertility has been largely ignored by soil researchers, but with increasing use of
participatory approaches of research, it is becoming clear that former have a well developed to
knowledge to perceive differences in the level of soil fertility between and within the field on
their farm lands . The use range of criteria for the classification of soil including economic and
ethnic influences, but the soil colors and texture are the most dominant criteria (Tamang, 1992).

Farmers perceive the fertility of the soil using the output they get by using a bomber of indicators
which they can actually see or feel including crop yield, soil depth, drainage, moisture, manure
requirements and water resources. The soils of dry region of Ethiopia are poor in their inherent
soil fertility. Low soil fertility particularly nitrogen and potassium are common problem in all of
agro ecological zone of Ethiopia to get the adequate, quality and quantity yields of Ethiopians
crops (CACC,2002).

1
Land degradation, mainly due to soil erosion and nutrient depletion, has become one of the most
important environmental and economic problems in the highlands of Ethiopia; and it was
estimated that half of the Ethiopian highlands arable lands are moderately to severely degraded
and nutritionally depleted due to over cultivation, over grazing, primitive production techniques,
and over dependent on rainfall. (World Bank, 2008)
Ethiopia high lands including the study areas are most seriously affected by land degradation
resulting in low and declining agricultural productivity, persistent food insecurity and rural
poverty. The complex inter-linkages between environmental degradation, poverty and fast
population growth have brought several change: farm holdings have become smaller and more
fragmented, fallow periods become shorter, farmers cultivate fragile margins on steep slopes
previously hold in pasture and woodlot, many households particularly those with large family
rent in land (Shreta etal 2000).

2
1.2Statement of the Problem

The major problems that initiated us to write this paper is:

Declining of agricultural productivity is due to law of fertility of the soil. Declining of the soil
fertility is the main challenge crop production in the different regions of the country. Using
inorganic fertilizers without adopting local soil fertility management practices affect farmers
production due to lack of enough capital to use it. Therefore, improving the soil fertility by using
local fertility management practices is the major issue because of its linkage to food and
economic well being of the society.

1.3Objective

1.3.1General objective

To assess farmers perception of soil fertility and local management practice in Ganta
Afeshum woreda.

1.3.2Specific objectives

The specific objectives are:

- To evaluate soil fertility management practices.
- To assess the view points of the farmers on soil fertility

1.3Research questions

1. What are the view points of the farmers on soil fertility?

2. Which local soil fertility management practices are used by the farmers?

3
 1.4 Significance of the study

The significance of this study was to find appropriate soil fertility and local soil fertility
management practices knowledge to enable the farmers to be benefit from the results in the
country in general in the studying area in particular. It also helps as starting point (source of
secondary data) for other researchers to conduct the study future time.

1.5 Scope of the study

This study mainly based on the farmers perception of soil fertility and local soil fertility
management practices in the area of study. It also aims to view the farmers towards soil fertility.
Therefore, for the purpose of dealing the goals seen above,our study is limited to the area cover
of Sasun and Dibla kebele in the Ganta Afeshum woreda.

1.6 Limitation of the study

The main limitation of the study was:

Cost, shortage of time,

The inappropriate response of some farmers i.e., they think that giving response bring risk to
them. Lack of precise and enough secondary data about condition in the kebele.

4
 CHAPTER - TWO

2 Literature Review
2.1 Soil
Soil is the loose material over laying the crust of the earth consisting mainly of very small
particles. It is fine earth covering land surfaces that has important function serving of plants,
animals and human life. Soils are composed of materials of different sizes such as sand, silt, clay,
organic materials and open spaces that filled with water and air. It is solid material on the earth
surface that results from the interaction of weathering and biological activity on the parent
material or underlying hard rock, which are complex mixtures of minerals, water, air, organic
matter , and countless organisms that are the decaying remains of once- living thing. It is formed
at the surface of land it is the skin of the earth. Soil is capable of supporting plant life and is
vital to life on earth (World Encyclopedia, 1996).

2.1.1Soil fertility

Soil fertility is the status of the soil with respect to supply elements essential for plant growth.
Further soils have an adequate and balanced supply of elements sufficiently to satisfy the needs
of the plant. Soil fertility is also the capacity of soil to nourish plants and animals including
human as determined by its natural nutrient content. The enhancements of soil fertility was a
crucial value already to the pioneers of organic farming, but the conservation of soil fertility is
not always given enough attention and yet organic farming depends on good natural soil
fertility. Exhausting and damaging soils cannot offer the desired performance. The cultivation of
soil fertility requires a lot of care (Froth, 1997).

5
2.1.2Farmer perception of soil fertility

Farman and scientists understand the soil fertility by different ways. Scientists often only take
accounts of soils nutrient status without considering its physical properties. They define fertilize
soil as soil that is capable of producing consistently high yields in a wide range of crop, But,
farmer describe fertilize soil literally as fact. Farmers perception of soil fertility is not limited to
the soils nutrient status. Soil fertility is assessed throughout outcomes such as crop performance
and yield and includes all soil factors affecting plant growth. In fact, farmer perception of soil
fertility reflects the definition of soil productivity used by the international soil science society
(ISSS). The international soil science society describes the soil fertility as capacity of soil in its
normal environment to produce specific plant under a particular system of soil management
(ISSS, 1996)

2.1.3Soil fertility evaluation

According to Samuel et al., 2002 soil fertility evaluation it conducted due to the following
conditions.

Optimum productivity of any cropping system depends on the adequate supply of time plant
nutrients. Continued removal of nutrient with little or no replacement will increase the potential
for future nutrient related plants stressed and loss of yield. When the soil does not supply
nutrients for normal plant development and optimum productivity application of supplement
nutrients required.

Soil fertility evaluation can be carried out using a range of field and laboratory diagnostic
techniques and a series of increasingly sophisticated empirical and/or theoretical models that
quantitatively relate indicators of soil fertility to plant response.
The diagnostic techniques include chemical and biological soil tests, visual observations of plant
growth for nutrient deficiency or toxicity symptoms and chemical analysis of plant tissues. New
approaches include passive or active optical sensing technologies and geographical information
systems that facilitate landscape scale site-specific assessment of soil fertility and can better
describe and address the temporal and spatial variability of soil fertility. In view of the need to
balance productivity and environmental protection
for a wider and more diverse range of land use,( Dalal, R.C. and Subba Rao, A.2006)

6
 2.2Soil fertility management practices

2.2.1Soil fertility management

Soil fertility management is an activity that is done on soil in order to grow plants to meet the
requirements of the society it s also maintenance of sufficient organic matter in the soil which
improves the soil structure and water holding capacity of soil winch in turn reduce the loss of
soil and their by improving the soil fertility as well as the yields of crops

In organic farming, the formation of soil organic matter is contributing an important factor reared
as for the improvement of soil problems. There are good reasons for this, since a closer look
reveals organic matter to be the crucial point of soil fertility. Organic matter tends to deposit
itself as layer on the surface of crumps.On such surfaces, bigger lumps tend to break again
(predetermined break points), so that smaller crumps remain. Organic matter covers the crump
and protects them from too much water. This way, the crump burst less frequently in the rain,
and soil experiences less capping or siltation (Lal, 1997).

2.2.2Tillage practices

Tillage is the most demanding farming activity in terms of labor and energy. For the practice of
tillage, farmers use oxen for the traditional plough. Ploughing the soil traditionally is the way of
improving soil productivity. For the improvement of soil fertility, the frequency of ploughing is
according to the type and verities of crops. Improved varieties need more frequency of ploughing
than the others. When the fields are immediately ploughed, the crop residues are incorporated
into the soil to maintain the soil fertility and increase farmers productivity (Sasakawa Global,
2004).

Compared with no-tillage systems, conservation tillage systems reduce high amounts of soil
disturbance, and therefore do not protect the soil resource as well as do the no-tillage or strip-
tillage approaches. It is essential; therefore, to define the tillage system alternatives that
constitute conservation tillage describe the extent of their use (Madden et al. 2008).

7
 2.2.3Terraces

Farmers traditionally construct terraces to improve soil fertility and productivity. Farmers
construct this terrace horizontally and they run between fields with sandy soils. The terraces slow
down run off catch sediments, farmers regard this sediments as fertile soil material believe that
terracing make an infertile soil more fertile Terraces are constructed to reduce erosion by
shortening the length of slope and conducting the runoff water on a non erosive grade to a stable
- outlet. They are used also to conserve moisture; reduce floods by means of level closed
terraces, or by increasing the time of concentration with graded terraces; and to control gully
heads downstream. Terracing is one of the best mechanical erosion control practices. To be
accepted by farmers, terraces must have desirable shape and alignment and be farmable with
modern equipment. Terraces that are properly located, constructed and maintained reduce runoff
and soil losses and prevent the forming of rills and gullies. They assist in reclaiming badly
gullied fields by intercepting the runoff before it becomes concentrated and attains an eroding
velocity. Terraces prevent the loss of costly seed and plant foods. To be effective, they must be
used in combination with other practices, such as stubble mulching, contouring, and strip-
cropping. Over a period of years, better crops may be expected on terraced land because of the
soil moisture capacity (Data Dea, 1998).

2.2.4Crop residues

Crop residues are the function of biomass production. It is the production determined by
biophysical environment and genetic makeup of crops more than one half of dry matter in the
form of crop residue and in the developing countries, the mount of nutrients of in crop residues
are higher than the quantities applied as fertilizers (IAEA,2001)

8
 2.2.5 Green manuring

Manure or green manure is an important for maintenance and enhancing the soil fertility. Under
existing practices, farmer uses green leaves twings or entire plant species and incorporates in to
the soil to enrich the soil fertility. They also use the leaf and twinges parts of different agro
forestry trees like balanite atypical which is good that provides large amount of green leaf
materials and car easily decompose in to the soil and maintenance the soil fertility ( Shiferaw ta
al, 2008).

Green Manuring can bring many advantages to the farmer by adding organic matter to the soil,
increasing biological activity, improving soil structure, reducing erosion, increasing the supply of
nutrients available to plants (particularly by adding nitrogen to the system by fixation), reducing
leaching, weed suppression and so on are some disadvantages and whilst these are few they
should also be noted - lost opportunities for cash cropping, exacerbated pest and disease
problems (green bridge eect), and the potential for green manures to become weeds in their own
right. Problems can be overcome with thought and measured usage, and the benefits to Future
crops cannot be dismissed lightly.
Green manures not only improve soil status, composition and nutrient balance but provide a
basis for a more environmentally friendly approach to modern farming. We need to focus our
minds on the twin problems of high artificial fertilizer prices and the soils need for basic
nutrients with these being available in a more sustainable form a wide range of plant species can
be used as green manures.

If the most is to be made of green manuring crops, it is important that they are carefully
integrated into the crop rotation and proper attention paid to their husbandry.
Green manures can be categorized as spring sown for summer usage and autumn sown for over-
winter usage, intercropping and longer term fertility improvements (Adhikary, BH and
MKThakur. 2013).

9
 2.2.6 Crop rotation

It is the practice of alternating the annual crops grown in a specific field in a planned pattern or
sequence so that the crops of the same species or family are not grown repeatedly without
interruption on the same field.

In a specific field, including cash crops cover crops and green manures. Rotations are the
changing of crops over both space and time. Well-planned rotation schedules benefit soil
fertility, aid in pest management, spread labor needs over time and reduce risk caused by market
conditions. Factors such as crop family, plant rooting depths and crop fertility needs should be
considered when developing a crop rotation schedule. It is important to consider the nutrient
needs of each crop to ensure they will be met. The addition of leguminous crops in a rotation can
provide nitrogen for following crops. Including crops with a variety of rooting depths allows
crops to retrieve water and nutrients not accessed by those grown in previous rotations. Some
plants are also effective at making nutrients more available by using less soluble forms, making
them accessible for later crops (Mohler, C. L. 2001b).

10
 CHAPTER - THREE

3 Material & Methods

3.1Description of the study area

3.1.1Location

The study was conducted in Eastern zone of Tigray, Ganta Afeshum woreda. The study area is
located 900km far from Addis Ababa and 115km far from the capital of Tigray Regional state,
Mekelle. Adigrat is situated in geographical coordinates of 140 241 and 1402i North latitude and
390131 and 390371 East longitude. The altitude of Ganta Afeshum woreda ranges from 1800 to
3000 meters above sea level and it is classified into two ecological zones, the highland and
middle land.

3.1.2Population, Socio-economic and Infrastructures

Population size of Ganta Afeshum is 102, 765 out of which 48,607 are males and 54,158 are
females. Men headed households are 11,047 while 11,309 are women headed households among
the 22,356 of the total households. The woreda has 16 human health posts, 5 health stations and
2 animal health clinics, 3animal health posts. Farming system consists of both crops production
and animal husbandry. The total area of the woreda is 53, 035 hectares; out of which from this
10,800 hectares is cultivated land and 2331.6 hectares irrigated lands, 13996.2 area closure
1429.7 grazing land and 21675.1 non used lands.

11
 3.1.3Climate

The study area has the annual rainfall ranging 450-650 and the annual temperature of the area is
150 to 240c (Ganta Afeshum woreda Agricultural office 2016).

3.1.4Topography and soil type

According to the area of Ganta Afeshum worea of Sasun Betehawariyat and Dibla kebeles are
characterized by mountainous, high plateaus and deep valleys. The kebeles has on altitude range
of 300pm a.m.s.1da. The nature of topography of the area is a part suitable for farming, which
has above 60% of the area, is rugged mountain. The soil observed in the study area is unfertile.
Three soil classes are mapped in the study area. There is clay, which accompany relatively steep
part of the study area is thin in thickness. The second soil class is loam clay. It is generally
confine to the major river and gentile slope of basal tick formation. The third one is loam sand
which lays on the central and eastern part of the study area.

12
 3.2Methodology

3.2.1Sources and type of data

Primary data was collected using purposive sampling techniques due to their accessibility. Two
kebeles were randomly selected from Ganta Afeshum woreda, namely Sasun and Dibla. The data
was obtained through oral interview with the aid of structured questionnaire. A total of 42
respondents, were randomly drawn from whom information such as house hold socio economics
characteristic. Age of respondents, perception and adaptation strategies on climate change were
obtained. The secondary data was collected from different written materials including both
published and unpublished material, and agricultural office of Ganta Afeshum woreda especially
in Sasun and Dibla kebel.

3.2.2Data collection techniques and sampling method

The data was collected through questionnaire, regarding to the farmer perception on soil fertility
and local fertility management practice from agricultural office and household farmers with the
sample size of any percent due to lack of resources and not voluntariness of farmer, to tell the
data. Then after,Probability sampling technique was used random sampling was also used to
have equal chance during sampling. From the total 1078 households of Sasun and from the total
1218 household of Dibla, we were select randomly 42 households know the perceptions of
farmer on soil fertility and local management among these 32 households were male and 10 of
them were females in order to get reasonable data and to reduce time constraint by using Yamane
formula(1997).

n=N/1+N (e) 2 where n= number of sample size

N= the number of household in the study area

e=confidence level/error=90

n=2296/1+2296(0.1)2=95.83=42

3.2.3Data analysis

The data obtained was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The descriptive analysis consists of
tables used specifically to describe the farmers perception of soil fertility and local management
practices of the respondents. The processed data was presented mainly in tabular forms to give
vivid comparative analysis needed to show observable trends.

13
 CHAPTER - FOUR

4 Result & Discussion

Different field types were identified within a farm varying in production activities, resource
allocation and management practices, as make know by the farmer. Farmers in the study area
have almost common criteria to evaluate and identify their soil fertility. Usually, fields were
characterized as fertile or infertile soil or medium.

Table 1 Age of respondents

Male Femal Total %
Age of No %
respondents(n=42)
25-32 7 4 11 26.19
33-40 8 5 13 30.95
41-50 15 1 16 38.09
51-60 2 - 2 4.76
Total 32 10 42 100
Source farmers response, 2017

As the above (table1) indicates that, the majority of the respondents are male headed households.
They accounts 76% of the total sample population we taken. What about the other remaining
24% are female headed households. So this indicates that the majority of the respondents were
male. According to this males play a great role in the perceptions of soil fertility and local
management practices and this indicates that the majority of the respondents are categorized
under 41-50 age group. So that we think that of the most respondents from the total population
indicates productive power in the study area.

14
 Table 2 educational level of respondents in Dibla & Sasun kebele
Educational Male Female Total %
status(n=42)
Cant write & read 3 2 5 11.9
1-4 12 1 13 30.95
5-8 12 3 15 35.71
9-10 4 2 6 14.29
11-12 2 1 3 7.15
Total 33 9 42 100
Source farmer response, 2017

As above table 2 indicated that, the identifications of educated status is essential, in order to knowing the
awareness of farmer on soil fertility and its local management practices. The majority of the highest
percentage of the respondents where those who accomplish 5-8 grade status, this indicated that the male
headed plays a crucial role in the local management practices and perceptions of soil fertility in the study
area.

Table 3 Martial status in Sasun and Dibla kebele

Marital status(n=42) Male Female Total %

single 3 1 4 9.52
Divorce 3 2 5 11.9
Married 25 5 30 71.43
Widowed 2 1 3 7.15
Total 33 9 42 100
Source response from farmers, 2017

As above table 3 indicated that, the majority or the highest percentages of the respondents were
those who married. Accordingly as the researcher we thinks that majority of the respondent
willingness to accept (know_ how) about the perceptions on soil fertility and its local
management practices in the study area.

15
 Table 4 Land holding size (ha) in Sasun and Dibla kebele.
land used for Respondent(mal fema total % Land Number fema Tot %
farming(n=4 e) l used for of l al
2) grass responden
t (male)
0.125 9 - 9 21.43 0.25 23 2 25 59.52
0.167 2 - 2 4.76 0.3 6 - 6 14.28
0.2 10 - 10 23.80 0.5 3 - 3 7.14
0.3 4 - 4 9.52 0.667 1 - 1 2.38
0.5 3 2 5 11.9 0.75 6 1 7 16.66
0.667 4 - 4 9.52 whole - - - -
0.75 8 - 8 19
Total 40 2 42 100 39 3 42 100
Source response from farmers, 2017

An indicated above table 4 shows that, many farmers in the Ganta Afeshum woreda,
Dibla and Sansun kebele there is lack of farming land and grassland due to the day to day
increments of population.Particularily, land shortage and land fragmentation have
increasingly forced farmers to give up soil fertility management practices such as
fallowing, manuring, terracing, and using crop residues. Unless farmers use other sources
of nutrients, the disappearance of these traditional practices will have a considerable
impact on soil fertility.

Table 5; Comparisons of chemical and organic fertilizer in the study area

Compassion of organic and Respondents (male) Female Total %

chemical fertilizer (cost and
labor) (n=42)
Chemical - - - -
Organic 37 5 42 100
Total 37 5 42 100
Source farm field survey 2017

16
 As above table 5 shows that, farmers in the Sansun and Dibla do not use the chemical
fertilizer due to the expensiveness and lobor compared with organic fertilizer, like
productivity of crops is lower than organic fertilizer, it can be easily washed when
rain is highly rained, crops get dry when rains delayed, the washed when rain is
highly rained, the washed fertilizer pollute our water bodies through leached down
and produce less straw in the study area.

Table 6; farmers used chemical fertilizer for different cereals in the study area

Crop urea (qu) DAP Balanced Total

Balanced (N,P,K,S,B,) (quintal/ha)
(quintal/ha)
Maize 1 1 2
Teff 1 1 2
Baley 1 1 2
Sorghm 1 1 2
other (wheat) 1 1 2
Source Ganta Afeshum Agricultural office 2017

Above table 6 shows that every person takes only 1(one) quintal of urea and only 1(one) quintal
of balanced fertilizer for each cereal in the study area, but the farmers doesnt use DAP, due to
its negative effect on the crops and negative effects of the environment as well as the land for
future generations. The farmers take these fertilizers two times per growth of crops apply for
different cereals in the study area. The person gives the information by experts and our self.

17
Table 7; farmed manure (cow dung) recommended in quintal hectare for different crops.
Type of crop farm yard manure type of crops q/h farmyard manure (q/ha)
maize >150 Lentil >150
Sorghum >150 field pea 80
Teff >150 other (wheat) >150
Barley >150
fababean >150
Source agricultural office, 2017

As indicated above table 7, the agricultural office worker of Ganta afeshum woreda, especially in
Sasun and Dibla recommended for farmers for reach crops almost Similar Quintal per hectare,
for instance for maize, for teff, for barley, wheat, for sorghum estimately greater than 150 g/la
two times for one full seasons, but for fababean estimatly 80 quintal per hectare for one full
seasons in the study area.

Table 8; using compost recommended by Agricultural office worker in Sasun and Dibla kebele
in Gantafeshum wored for farmer in different crops.
Crop Compost q/La crop compost q/ha
maize 150 Barly 150
Sarghum 150 field pea 80
Teff 150 other (wheat) 150
fababean 80
Source Agricultural office 2017

As above table 8 shows that the Ganta Afeshum agricultural office worker recommended for
sansun and Dibla kebele farmers the amount of used compost for different crops estimatly 80
quintal 1 up to 150 quintal per hectare for example maize, sorghum, teff, barly, wheat use
150 quintal per hectare and estimatly 80 quintal per hectare for fababean and field pea for
one full seasons in the study area.

18
 Table 9; Descriptions or characterizations of the poor quality forming land in the
study area.

Item Response
A shallow soil depth Male Female

No % No %
Fertile - - - -
medium 5 11.90 2 4.76
Infertile 2 4.76 3 7.14
high rockiness Fertile - - - -
medium - - - -
3 7.14 - -
Infertile
Fertile

Water logged medium

Infertile
Too sandy Fertile - - - -
medium - - - -
Infertile 2 4.76
Total 12 21.42 5 11.9
Source farm field survey 2017

As above table 9 indicated that, farmers classified their farm fields into many categories like
fertile, medium fertile and poor or infertile, though the reasons behind this classification varied
widely between sub-locations as well as among farmers, and were not only related to nutrient
availability, their production and productivity independent of the farm field categorize within-
farm variability n the study area. Organic inputs contain nutrients that are released at a rate
determined in part by their chemical characteristics or organic resource quality. However,
organic inputs applied at realistic levels seldom release sufficient nutrients for optimum crop
yield. Combining organic and mineral inputs has been advocated as a sound management
principle for smallholder farming because either of the two inputs is usually available in
sufficient quantities and because both inputs are needed in the long-term to sustain soil fertility
and crop production.

19
Table 10; The contributions of organic matter in the study area.

The main contributor of Respondent(male) Respondent(female) Total %

organic matter(n=42)
Cow dung 26 2 28 66.67
Compost 6 - 6 14.29
Green manure plantation - - -
Crop residues 7 1 8 19.0
Total 39 3 42 100
Source farm field survey 2017

As above table 10 shows that, majority of respondent farmers use organic fertilizer in the
study area. Because this organic matter is an extremely important component of soil. It is the
decomposition product of different types of organic materials. Materials that go through the
decomposition process to form soil organic matter includes the farmyard manure (cow dung),
compost (mixes of crop residues in the farm field), plant residues etc. There are many soil
organic matter to increase or maintaining a high level of soil fertility or good qualities of
organic matter rich soil like relates to water holding cap a city, for their good soil
workability, give high crop product, gives high biomass yield of crops, high levels of soil
decomposition, and gives advantage to the next preceding crop in the study area. Therefore
there is a high amount of organic matter, so that there is a high fertility of soil in the lands,
reduce washing out of soil nutrients by reducing the soil erosions, and accumulate soil
organic materials in the study area.

Table 11; Crop rotation user and its importance in Sasun and Dibla kebele

Crop rotation (n=42) Respondents (male) Female Total %

Yes 40 2 42 100
No - - - -
Total 40 2 42 100
Source field survey in 2017

As above table11indicated that, different field types were identified within a farm varying in
production activities, resource allocation and management practices.Most farmers in Dibla
and Sasun kebele knows the local fertility managements practices and their importances of
crop rotation like reduce crop diseases occurrence, reduce pest occurrence, increase soil
fertility, improve crop productivity, and reduce soil erosion.

20
Table 12; Identifications of farming land quality in the study area.

Farming land Respondent(male Respondent(female) Total %

quality(n=42)
High organic matter 39 3 42 100
content
Medium organic matter - - - -
content
Black in color - - - -
Brown in color - - - -
Very clayey - - - -
Flat land - - - -
Flat, but well drained - - - -
Good soil workability - - - -
Total 39 3 42 100
Source field survey in 2017

As above table 12 shows that, the majority of respondent about farming land quality also male
headed. Farmers in the study area describe their field farm productive and fertile land as reguid,
which literally means contains high organic matter content. Well-prepared land with a good
seedbed is known as limui, which says nothing about its fertility or productivity.
Farmers criteria for land quality classification and reasons behind yield variability relative
frequencies. The land quality classification by farmers produced a reasonable identification of
soil fertility situations within the both inherent land quality and land-use whereas soil fertility
was not explicitly mentioned as one of the causes for yield variability. Although some farmers
classified their own fields farm without comparing them with field farm of other farmers, their
classification was strongly linked to resource allocation patterns. Since what drives farmers
decision was what they distinguish as good or poor quality land, management in the study area.

Table 13; physical soil and water conservation structures or local fertility management
practices for cultivated lands in the study area.
Physical soil and water conservation Respondents (male) Female Total %
(n=42)
Stone bund 23 2 25 59.52
Soil bund - - - -
Bench terraces 13 3 16 38.09
Soil faced stone bund - - - -
Others (terracing practice) 1 - 1 2.38
Total 37 5 42 100
Source field survey in 2017

21
As above table 13 indicated that, the majority of farmers in Sasun and Dibla kebele the male
headed play a great role accounts 88% of the local fertility management practices, the
management of soil fertility is the first condition for sustainable crop production and poses a
great challenge to farmers in the study area like stone bund because this method of
conservation stays for long periods of time after construction without any influence by
erosion and conserves much amounts of water and soil and gives nice crop yield production
and allocate the essential nutrients and takes time for construction respectively. Because
these conservations of soil and water has their own use for farmers like ; increasing water
content of the soil , increase soil fertility, and reduce soil erosion . Farmers in Sasun and
Dibla kebele doesn`t apply the soil bund, due to its easily eroded by rain during rain
rained.(See appendix 2)

22
CHAPTER - FIVE

5 Conclusion and Recommendation

5.1 Conclusion

As above the whole content indicated that, different field types were identified within a
farm varying in production activities, resource allocation and management practices, as
make know by the farmer. Farmers in the study area see soil fertility as a broader concept
than the soils nutrient status, and closely related to crop productivity. They use various
indicators to assess changes in soil fertility, such as yield levels, the appearance of rocky
out crops, and crops wilting early. The way that farmers categories soil fertility reflects
therefore the soils irrigate holding capacity. The local system for classifying soils, which
determines soil fertility management practices, is based mainly on soil color and texture.
The management of soil fertility is the first condition for sustainable crop production and
poses a great challenge to farmers in the study area. Farmers in the study area are aware of
the problems caused by declining of soil fertility; there is considerable scope for
improvement. Farmers recognize that organic and mineral fertilizer has to be used to be
complement which they continue an amount of money spent adapts. These practices have
the place of origin over time that they can sustain the use and conservation of land
resources. It helps them to adapt practice to specific local conditions in which they live and
work. Adapting and using local soil fertility management practice, for farmers of the study
area. Farmers in the study area uses many locally methods of soil management practices
like stone bund or terraces, tillage practices , crop rotation, crop residues, manuring, and
compost in different ways. A farmer in the study area doesnt apply fallowing due to lack
of land holding size in the study area. There are many other methods of increasing soil
fertility like area closure, zero grazing, which can be recommended by agricultural office
worker in the absence of chemical and organic fertilizer. Crop rotation and inter cropping
have their own benefits for soil fertility improvements, in order to increase crop production
or productivity, soil fertility, to decrease soil erosion for the crop land etc. The excessive
uses of chemical fertilizer have their own impact on the environmental indicators ;i.e
(soil, water and air ) and impact on human health, for the increasingly exposed lands,

23
the adoption use of agrochemicals for increased agricultural production and
productivity, has led serious concerns as to the risk posed for impairing of the
ecological and social anomic services from both land and natural water courses, this is
exacter bated by the increasingly variable weather associated with climate change.

24
 5.2 Recommendation

In order to improve the farmer perceptions on soil fertility and local soil management practices
in the study area we put the following essential points;

About the use of fallowing, farmers in the study area doesnt apply this method due to lack of
farming land, in order to increase organic matter in the soil, to reduce weeds, to reduce pest
disease so that the government can rearrange the farming land.
In Sasun and Dibla kebele the whole participations of female was too low so that the agricultural
office worker in the study area and the governments take the responsibility and change the
awareness of female regarding to the soil fertility and local management practices.

In the study area Particularly in Sasun kebele, land shortage and land fragmentation have
increasingly forced farmers to give up soil fertility management practices such as manuring,
terracing, and using crop residues so the government can also accept this issue and find solution.

The researchers for the next study change the perceptions of farmer identifications of soil
fertility knowledge, and their capacity show by practices. Farmers perception of soil and local
soil fertility management practice are better thought that are originated from local farmers of the
study area. But there is no acceptance and unity of the different methods with is found around the
area. One uses one method, the other do not use the method, Rather doing like this they make
unity between them and one should asset the others way of use and should be respected each
other. Most farmers of the study area used various local management practices but needs some
improvement to become productive. So based on this issue, it needs some technique to become
more productive. Therefore, the extension workers should give some amore nests based on how
to use, when to use and where to use the local management practice properly.

25
1 References

Adhikary, BH and MK Thakur. 2013. Azolla: An alternative source of Chemical Nitrogen in

RiceProduction.Folder. NARC Publication Serial No. 004-2013/14.Communication,
Publication and Documentation Division (CPDD), NARC, Khumaltar, Lalitpur, Nepal.

Alemneh Dejene, 2003) Integrated natural resources managements to enhance food security. The
cases for community based approaches in Ethiopia food and Agricultural

CACC. 2002. Ethiopia organization (FAO) the United Nations. Agricultural sampling
Enumeration 2002, report on the primary result of area, production and yield if temporary
crops, part, oct.2002 central Agricultural census commission (CACC), Addis Ababa,
Ethiopia.

Data dea, 1998: soil fertility management in its social context: A study of local perception and
practices in wolaita, southern Ethiopia managing Africas soil number1llED, London.

Forth, D.1997, soil fertility second edition Lewis publisher, Newyork.

IAEA, 2001 Report of the 4th Research coordination meeting of the IAEA/FAO Coordinate
research project 26-30 march 2001, serdang, malaysea

Dalal, R.C. and Subba Rao, A. (2006) Fertility Evaluation Systems, Chapter 134, Encyclopedia
of SoilScience, Second Edition, CRC Press, Boca Raton, FL., USA.

Soil fertility: Evaluation and management (PDF Download Available). Available from:
https://www.researchgate.net/publication/295254895_Soil_fertility_Evaluation_and_man
agement [accessed May 3, 2017].

ISSS, 1996 Terminology for soil erosion and soil conservation, International society of the soil
science.

Lal.R. 1997 soil conservation and management in humid tropics, Newyork

Madden, N. M., R. J. Southard, and J. P. Mitchell. 2008. Conservation tillage reduces

PM10emissions in dairy forage rotations. Atmospheric Environment 42:37953808.

Mohler, C. L. 2001b. Enhancing the competitive ability of crops. In Ecological Management of

Agricultural Weeds, M. Liebman, C. L. Mohler, and C. P. Staver, eds., pp. 269321. New
York: Cambridge University Press

Samuel 1; John Haye ciri; James D.Beaten; jisdale and wender L.welson 2002, soil fertility
evaluation: Introduction to nutrient management the 5th and 6th edition.

26
SaSakawa Global, 2004, Conservation tillage proceeding of a work shop on the conservation
tillage, Melkasa agricultural center, Melkasa, Ethiopia.

Shiferawi T. Cher CM, scholberg S.M,Mc soileyr. 2006 green manure approaches to crop
production: Synthesis 98:302-319.

Shreta B.M askey.S.L; Trapathi, B,P; Khadka, Y.G; Manankarmi, R.C; BH arteti E.M Shreta.
S.p; 2000 soil fertility management farmers practices and perception in hills of Nepal,
Nepal

Tamang.D.S 1992, Indigeneous soil fertility management in the jhihku khola watershed. In soil
fertility and erosion issues in the middle mountains of Nepal water shed, Nepal

Turton, C.N.Vaidya. A. Tuladhar, J.K, Joshi. K.DF 1995 Towards Sustainable soil fertility
management in hills of Nepal natural resources institutes Chatham maritime, U.K

World Bank Encyclopedia 1996: Introduction to soil and its composition, Vol.27 Chicago

World Bank, 2008. Sustainable Land Management Project, Project Appraisal Document(PAD),
Ethiopia/Report No 42927-ET, Project I.D P107139, http://www-
wds.worldbank.org/external/projects/.

27
APPENDIX one

Back ground information questionnaires about the perceptions of farmer on soil fertility and
local management practices.

Respondents Background Information

1. Respondent
1.1. Name____________________________
1.2. Sex____________________________ Male Female
1.3. Location
1.3.1. Zone______________1.3.2. Woreda_____________1.3.3. Kebelle___________
1.4. Educational Status ( Grade)
A. None B. 1-4 C. 5-8D.9- 10 E.11-12 F. Other_________
1.5. Marital Status A. Single B. Married C. Divorced

Basic Questions
1. What is your land holding size (ha)_________________________
2. How much of your land is used for farming?
A. 1/8 B. 1/6 C. 1/4 D. 1/3 E. 1/2 F. 2/3 G. h)whole
3. How much of your land is allocated for grass land?
A. 1/4 B. 1/3 C. 1/2 D. 2/3 E. 3/4 F. Whole
4. If you already use some land for farming, which crops are you grow commonly with;
A. High coverage ( _______________, _________________,_________________ )
B. Medium coverage ( ___________________ , _____________________ )
C. Low coverage, Sometimes ( ________________ , __________________ )
5. Do you believe that your land has high crop productivity potential?

a) Yes b) No
6. If your answer for question 5 is yes, can you characterize or describe the best qualities of your
farming land?

a) Fertile b) Well drained C) Deep soil

d) high workability e) high water holding capacity
f ) Does not require chemical fertilizer g) flat in slope g) Other ________ 2

28
7. If your answer for question 5 is no, what are the poor qualities of your farming land?

a) Requires chemical organic fertilizer d) steep slope

b) Shallow soil depth e) low workability
c) Water logged f) high rockiness
g) low water holding capacity ( sandy soil) h) other __________
8. What type of farming land quality would you think is better?

a) High organic matter content e) very clayey

b) Medium organic matter content f) flat land
c) Black in color g) flat, but well drained
d) Brown in color h) good soil workability
i) Other (specify) __________________________________________
9. If you specify about organic matter in question 8, what are the main contributor of soil organic
matter?

a) Farmyard manure (cow dung) b) Crop residues in the farm field

c) Compost
d) Green manure plantation e) other (specify) ___________________
10. What do you think are the good qualities of organic matter rich soil?

a) Relates to water holding capacity

b) Does not require any more chemical fertilizer
c) Has good soil work ability
d) Give high crop productivity
e) Gives high biomass yield of crops
f) Related to soil aeration 3

29
g) Advantage to the next year subsequent crop
h) Does not require fallowing
i) Other (specify) _________________________________________
11. Do you use chemical fertilizers for your crop production (UREA ,DAP, balance fertilizer)?

A) Yes B) No
12. If your answer for question 11 is yes, low much of them do you apply per hectare of land
Crop Urea (q/ha) DAP (q/ha) Balanced fertilizer
(q/ha)

Maize
teff
Barley
Sorghum
Other

13. How many times per growth of crops do you apply these rates?
a) Once during planting b) Twice (during planting and at mid growth)
c) Other (specify)
14. do you have different recommendation of fertilizers time of application than in question 13? If
your answer is yes, specify at which growth stage __________________
15. How do you know the information in question 12 & 13?
a) Experts (B.A) b) NGOs

c) Neighbors d) myself (through experience)

16. Contrasting chemical and organic fertilizer which one would you prefer (regardess to cost
&labour) a) chemical fertilizer b) organic fertilizer
17. If your choice in question 16 is chemical fertilizer, why did you prefer it?
a) Gives high productivity
b) Easily available & crops

30
c) low weed infestation compared to organic fertilizer use
d) Does not require more labor
e) Other (specify) ________________________________________________
18. If your choice in question 16 is organic fertilizer why you couldnt choose chemical fertilizer

a) Productivity of crops is lower than if we use organic

b) Our land become dependent on chemical fertilizer if we use it so often
c) It can be easily washed when rain is high
d) Crops get dry when rain delays
e) Cost of chemical fertilizer is high
f) Its washed fertilize pollute our water bodies
g) They get leached down & pollute our ground water
h) Produces less straw compared to organic
i) Other (specify) _______________________________________
19. If your choice in question 16 is chemical fertilizer

What are the drawbacks of organic fertilizer?

a) it is vulnerable to crop disease
b) It causes high crop biomass production whose grain yield is very low
c) It is labor intensive
d) Requires more rain water
e) It is too vulnerable to pests
f) Other (specify) ___________________________________________________
20. If your answer in question15 it in organic fertilizer why did you prefer it

a) It gives higher crop productivity

b) It can grow more crops next year without using aditional fertilizer
c) Resist water logging
d) Enhance rain filtration (produce less run off)
e) Increases soil aeration for animal feed
f) Produces more weeds for animal feed.
g) Produces high crop biomass for animal feed.
21. How much farmed manure (cow dung ) would you recommend (Quintal per hectare) for your
different crops).

31
Type of crop Farm yard Type of crop Farmyard
manure (q/h) manure (q/h)

Maize Lentil

Sorghum Field pea

Teff Other

Barley

fababea

22. If you produce compost, how much compost (qunital/hectare) do you recommend for your
different crops?
Crop Compost g/h Crop Compost g/he
Maize Fababea
Sarghum barly
Teff Field pea
Other other
23. How did you get the information in question 21& 22? a) experts ( BoA) b) NGO c) Neighbor
d) Others (specify) __________________________________________
24. Do you apply fallowing? a) yes b) No
25. If your answer in question 24 is yes , how often do you apply it?

a) Once after every two yeas

b) Once after every three years
c) Once after every each year
d) Depends on the crops 6

32
f) Other (specify) _________________________________________________
26. What is the importance of fallowing in your understanding?

a) Organic matter addition e) accumulation of nutrients

b) Reduces weed infestation f) other (specify)
c) Decrease of disease of other pests
27. Do you apply crop rotation a) yes b)No
28. If your answer in question 27 is yes, what is the importance of crop rotation ?

a) Reduce crop disease Occurrence

b) Reduce pest occurrence
c) Increase soil fertility
d) Improves crop productivity
e) Other (specify)
29. Give example of crop rotation?

1st crop ( _) 2nd crop ( ) 3rd crop ( ) 4th crop ( )

30. Which physical soil and water conservation structures are familiar in cultivated areas of your
kebele?

a) Stone bund b) Stone bund

c) Soil bund d) Bench terrace
e) Soil faced stone bund f) Other (specify) _______
31. What is the importance of soil and water conservation

a) Increases water content of the soil

b) Increases soil fertility 7

33
c) Reduces washing out of soil nutrients
d) Reduces soil erosions
e) Accumulates soil organic materials
f) others (specify )
32. Do you use other mechanisms to improve your soil fertility? If your answer is yes, which local
methods of soil fertility improving mechanisms do you apply?

(describe)
a)
b)
c)
33. Which other methods of incresing crop productivity methods would you recommend if there is no
chemical fertilizer and organic fertilizer stated above are not available?

(describe)
a)
b)
c)
34. What is the benefit of those locally used (which are described in question 32 and33) for soil
fertilizer improvement ?

a)
b)
c)

35. Do you believe excessive use of chemical fertilizer has an impact on environment (water bodies,
beneficial organisms,)? A) Yes B) No
36. If your answer for question 35 is yes, what are the impacts? Describe

a)
b)
c)
37. What is the environmental impact of no chemical fertilizer application for your crops, no
vegetation cover in the watershed, no organic fertilizer input?

a)
b)
c)

34
APPENDIX two

Figures about local fertility management practices

Examples of terraces

35
Examples of tillage practices

36