DETERMINANTS OF ADOPTION OF SUSTAINABLE LAND MANAGEMENT SLM PRACTICES AMONG SMALLHOLDER FARMERS’ IN JELDU DISTRICT, WEST SHEWA ZONE, OROMIA REGION, ETHIOPIA

Abstract Land degradation in form of soil erosion and fertility loss are ruthless problems in developing countries including Ethiopian Highlands, which have serious implications for food security and livelihoods of local farmers in particular and the nation in general. Low land productivity due to land degradation in form of soil erosion is one of the leading challenges to improving the performance of the smallholder farming system sector in Ethiopia. In this context, the adoption of Sustainable Land Management practices/ technologies is quite crucial to increase agricultural productivity, ensure food security and improve the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. Farmers recommend various SLM practices/technologies for sustainable implementation, but adoption of such agricultural land management practices/ technologies is still very low. There is no clear understanding of the problems encountered by farmers in the adoption of recommended SLM practices/ technologies. Therefore, the main purpose of this study was to assess the socio-economic, institutional, psychological and biophysical determinant factors that influence adoption of SLM practices/technologies among smallholder farmers in Jeldu district in West Shewa zone. Primary data were collected through household questionnaires surveys, focus group discussions, key informants interviews and personal observations while secondary data were collected from relevant local authority reports and records. A total of 224 households were interviewed. Both Descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression model were used to analyze the data. The computed independent T-test for the mean income difference was statistically highly significance between adopters and non-adopters, suggesting that adopters were in better-off position to improve their livelihood.. From the 18 explanatory variables entered into the model, 14 variables were found to be statistically significant at less than 5 to 10% probability levels. These are education level of the household head, farm size, perception of land degradation ,effectiveness of SLM practices, frequency of development agent contact and livestock ownership significantly positively affect adoption o land management practices while distance to market affects it negatively at less 10% probability levels. Planners and policy makers should formulate appropriate policies and programs considering the farmers’ interest, capacity, and limitation in promoting improved soil conservation technology for greater acceptance and adoption by the farmer. Keywords: Sustainable Land Management Practices, Adoption, Smallholder Farmers’. INTRODUCTION Background and Justification of the study To feed the world’s growing population which is projected to exceed 9.2 billion by 2050 (World Bank, 2009; FAO, 2013; Nkonya et al, 2011.), it will be necessary to boost the production of food. However, land degradation is extensively increasing, covering approximately 23% of the globe’s terrestrial area, increasing at an annual rate of 5-10 million hectares, and affecting about 1.5 billion people globally (Gnacadja, 2012). Processes of land degradation occur in all climatic regions, with ‘land’ interpreted to include soils, vegetation, and water, and with the concept of ‘degradation’ implying adverse consequences for humanity and ecological systems (Conacher, 2009; Vlek et al., 2010; Braun et al., 2012; Pingali et al., 2014). Land consists of not only the soil but also the associated natural resources such as water, vegetation, landscape, and microclimate that are components of a larger ecosystem(Thompson et al., 2009; Chasek et al., 2011; Akhtar-Schuster et al., 2011; Reed et al., 2011).As the land is inter-connected with other natural resources such as the air, water, fauna and flora, managing land well, in addition to guaranteeing food supplies, poverty reduction and socio-economic protect environment and natural resources and to provide ecological functions and services in a sustainable manner(World Bank, 2003; Bridges and Oldeman, 1999; Berry et al., 2003; Jones et al., 2003; Stringer and Reed, 2007; Bai et al. 2008; Stoosnijder, 2007; Nachtergaele et al. 2010; Lal and Stewart, 2013; Zuccaet al., 2014).Land degradation often results from immediate causes such as biophysical causes and unsustainable resource management practices, or with underlying causes including population density, poverty, institutional set up, land tenure and access to agriculture extension, infrastructure, opportunities and constraints created by market access as well as policies and general government effectiveness (Nkonyaet al., 2011; Lambinet al., 2001).