Asian Journal of Research and Review in Agriculture

Land degradation has long been a major environmental and socio-economic challenge in Ethiopia, particularly in Wondogenet Woreda. This study aimed to examine the contribution of soil and water conservation (SWC) practices to rural livelihoods and land resources.

A cross-sectional research design was employed using mixed (quantitative and qualitative) approaches. Data were collected from 162 household heads selected through purposive and simple random sampling. Quantitative data were analyzed using SPSS version 25 with descriptive statistics (frequency, percentage, mean, and standard deviation) and inferential statistics (independent sample t-test and binary logistic regression). Qualitative information from key informant interviews and focus group discussions was analyzed narratively for triangulation.

The results indicate that the most common physical SWC practice was Fanjuu (47.6%), while the dominant biological practices were agroforestry (45.2%) and crop rotation (40.7%). Among soil improvement measures, mulching (50%) was the most widely used. Participation in SWC practices was associated with improved livelihoods, with mean annual household income increasing from 28,096 birr (non-participants) to 32,681 birr (participants). SWC practices also enhanced land resources by improving soil fertility, increasing grass and tree cover, enhancing water availability, and reducing soil erosion and flooding. Key determinants influencing SWC adoption included labor availability, education level, land fertility, access to credit, distance to plots, training, slope category, and household income.

In conclusion, SWC practices significantly contribute to both livelihood improvement and land resource sustainability in the study area. Strengthening technical support from local institutions and promoting both physical measures (e.g., soil bunds and fanjuu) and biological practices that enhance soil organic matter are recommended to sustain and scale up the benefits.