IMPROVING SOIL PRODUCTIVITY FOR INCREASED AND SUSTAINABLE CROP PRODUCTION IN THE MIDALTITUDE AREAS OF YILMANA-DENSA WOREDA, WEST GO JAM, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

The objectives of the study were to describe and understand the prevailing farming system, identify major soil degradation constraints and opportunities for conservation, investigate major causes for soil productivity decline, study the relationships between the stakeholders and suggest means of strengthening the relations, look into policy related issues, and develop participatory R and D proposals that would help bring solutions for the study area. The work was organized around four problem areas that covers economic factors, agronomic practices, livestock management and natural resources conservation and management practices. During the informal and formal (focused questionnaire) field survey the study team used participatory approach to investigate the problems and interests of various stakeholders involved in the study area. The initial field survey plan and findings of both field surveys were presented in three consecutive workshops attended by representatives of all stakeholders. As far as possible, the comments and interests of these clients were incorporated in the final report. The role of women in the farming system was investigated to identify their problems and interests in the development of future research programs. Currently, farmers could not harvest sufficient amount of crop yield without the application of chemical fertilizers. But, most poor farmers could not afford to buy adequate amount of agricultural inputs. They do not have the courage to take required amount of credit, fearing risk of natural calamity like failure of crops, pest damage and other factors that frequently appear in the area. The fragmented small sized grazing lands were already highly deteriorated and over grazed. To date, no attempt was made to improve the grave situation facing the animals regarding feed shortage. Deforestation had reached its climax long ago. Natural forests do not exist in the study area today, except some small patches that surround churches. Thus, the bare topsoil is under severe soil erosion. Sheet and gully erosion types are the main factors worsening the decline of soil productivity. Aware of these problems, the regional government and fanners launched different interventions through extension programs. Unfortunately, some of the efforts did not bring the anticipated impacts for the farming community due to ill- designs and inappropriate technologies and applications. After making problem analysis and identifying opportunities related to each of the abovementioned subjects, comprehensive analysis was also made to integrate them into the on going broad specific conditions of the area. On the basis of this comprehensive problem and opportunity analysis, R and D recommendations for the enhancement of sustainable agriculture were suggested, and research proposals were also developed. The recommended R and D interventions, in addition to policy issues and stakeholders linkage, cover three major problem areas that would need collaborative efforts of all stakeholders towards their implementations. AARC, WADO, and farmers are expected to be the leading actors in the implementation of these proposals.