Assessment of Farmers’ Perceptions about Soil Fertility with Different Management Practices in Small Holder Farms of Abuhoy Gara Catchemnt, Gidan District, North Wollo

摘要

The study was conducted at the Abuhoy Gara Catchment, which is located in the Gidan District of North Wello Zone in the ANRS in year 2014. The aim of the study was to study farmers’ perceptions about assessment of soil fertility and comparing them with the criteria of soil fertility used by researchers. To address this issue, semi-structured interviews were conducted in 60 households to gain insight into soil fertility management practices, local methods used to assess the fertility status of a field, and perceived trends in soil fertility. Thirty-three farmers were then asked to identify fertile and infertile fields. Characteristics of these fields in terms of the indicators mentioned in the interviews were recorded, and soil samples were taken for physicochemical analysis in a laboratory. The collected data were grouped according to altitude, slope and type of field. A total of six indicators (soil color, texture, soil depth, topography, soil drainage, and distance from home) were found to be used by farmers to evaluate and monitor soil fertility, which were classified into three categories: Crop production, soil fertility and soil degradation). The overall result showed that there was good agreement between farmers’ assessment of the soil fertility status of a field and a number of these indicators, particularly soil color and texture, which were examined in more detail. The soil physicochemical analysis also corresponded well with farmers’ assessment of soil fertility. The soil attributes under improper cultivated land showed an overall change towards the direction of loss of its fertility compared to the condition of the soils under proper management. The manner in which soils are managed has a major impact on soil fertility indicators. In order to bring sustainable change in soil quality, research activities must follow scientific and participatory approaches. Therefore, to design more appropriate research and to facilitate clear communication with farmers, researchers need to recognize farmers’ knowledge, perceptions about assessments of soil fertility. Because, as they included all soil factors affecting plant growth, farmers’ perceptions of soil fertility were found to be more long term day-to- day close practical experience finding than those of researchers.