Toward Practical Implementation of Conservation Agriculture: A Case Study in the May Zeg-zeg Catchment (Ethiopia)

Abstract

Conservation agriculture (CA) is often quoted as a beneficial resource-saving technique for dryland agriculture, but its large-scale implementation is frequently hindered by the lack of farmers’ acceptance. To date, few studies have investigated the impact of spatial factors, costs and benefits and regional agroecosystem differentiation on adoption of CA. This study, therefore, aims to assess the impact of these factors through a case study in the North Ethiopian Highlands. One hundred eight farmers of 11 villages surrounding an experimental plot were interviewed in order to identify their knowledge and acceptance of the technique. The results show that several spatial factors play a role in CA acceptance. The lack of knowledge on the resource-saving technique proved primarily dependent (R = –0.73) on spatial impedance with the innovation source and on the strength of sociospatial networks. Next, a consumer model showed that perceived costs and benefits seem to balance each other. Finally, some agronomic traditions were identified that are related to the regional agroecosystem, which are not favoring the implementation of zero-tillage practices. Since this study identified acceptance problems related to several spatial and regional factors, future CA adoption schemes must allow better regional differentiation optimized to local contexts and conditions.

KEYWORDS:

• diffusion of innovation
• random utility model
• reduced tillage

ACKNOWLEDGMENTS

This study would not have been possible without the enormous support, friendship, and help of our translator Yohannes Gebregziabher, the support and kindness of the many farmers who were willing to participate in the interviews, the friendship and help of Lys Moulaert, the support and financial help of the Belgo-Ethiopian VLIR MU-IUC programme, and the work of the field technicians in the CA project.