Determinants of Integrated Soil Fertility Management adoption under annual cropping system in Arsamma watershed, southwestern Ethiopian Highlands

Abstract

Ethiopia faces a complex set of soil fertility problems requiring approaches going beyond the application of chemical fertilizers. The physical structure-oriented soil conservation strategy could not adequately address the problem of soil fertility deterioration. The attempts of promoting Integrated Soil Fertility Management (ISFM) strategies have been at its infant stage and limited in its proper implementation and wider dissemination. This study was conducted to identify determinants of ISFM adoption under annual cropping system in Arsamma watershed, southwestern Ethiopian Highlands. The data used for the study were collected from 136 sample respondents who were randomly selected by employing a two-stage random sampling technique. Binary logistic regression models were used to characterize factors driving adoption of ISFM. Findings show that farmland size, farmer training (FTR), participation in agricultural extension programs, years of chemical fertilizer application to farmland, and perception of farmers toward continuous use of mono-chemical fertilizers were found the statistically significant predictors of ISFM adoption. Improving the productivity of the limited farmland, designing pro-poor approaches, provision of action-based FTR, targeting on agricultural extension programs, and raising awareness of farmers about negative impacts of mono-chemical fertilizer technology are key areas of intervention to enhance adoption of ISFM in the study catchment.

Keywords:

• soil fertility management
• chemical fertilizer
• soil acidity

Acknowledgment

We would like to thank Addis Ababa University for financing this study. Our thanks also go to farmers and development agents participated in the study. We are also highly benefitted from the insightful comments given by the reviewers of this manuscript.

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.

Notes

1. Teff (Eragrostis tef) is an annual grass crop native to Ethiopia.

2. Fanyajuu is a type of terracing where a trench is excavated to form an embankment on the upper side by throwing the excavated soil uphill.

3. Kebele is the lowest political administrative unit in the Federal Democratic Republic of Ethiopia’s government structure.