COLLEGE OF AGRECLTUR AND NATURAL RESOURCE

DEPARTEMENT SOIL RESOURCE AND WATERSHED

MANGEMENT

AN ASSESSMENT OF FARMERS’ ATTITUDES TOWARDS

WATERSHED MANAGEMENT IN THE CASE OF KEYA KELA
KEBELE

BY: -GROUP MEMBER--------------------ID

1, MOLLA LAKE--------------------------- 1208

2, ABEBE TEMESGEN---------------------- 1321

3, AYANA GUREMESA--------------------------1376

4, GETACHEW ADAMU-------------------------1989

5, ELSABET GIRMA….................................... 1725

ADVISTOR BALEW YENENEH (MSc.)

JUNLY, 2023

BONGA ETHIOPIA

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 ACKNOWLEDGMENT

First, and foremost, we thank God for giving ours the opportunity to pursue our graduate
study senior research project at the department of soil resource and watershed
management in Bonga University. Next, we thank our advisor temesgen. (MSC)), for his
valuable and constructive comments and suggestions that contributed to the successful
realization of the study.
We would like to thanks our entire department Instructors for their valuable comments
and suggestions that contributed to the successful realization of the study

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 TABLE OF CONTENTS

ACKNOWLEDGMENT................................................................................................................i
TABLE OF CONTENTS..............................................................................................................ii
LIST OF TABLES.........................................................................................................................v
LIST OF ABBREVIATION........................................................................................................vi
ABSTRACT.................................................................................................................................vii
CHAPTER ONE............................................................................................................................8
1.INTRODUCTION......................................................................................................................8
1.1. Background of the Study....................................................................................................8
1.2. Staminate of the Problem...................................................................................................2
1.3. Objectives of the Study.......................................................................................................3
1.3.1. General Objective.........................................................................................................3
1.3.2. Specific Objectives........................................................................................................3
1.3.3 Research Question......................................................................................................3
1.4. Significance of the Study....................................................................................................3
1.5 Limitation of the study........................................................................................................4
1.6. Scope of the Study...............................................................................................................4
1.7. Organization of the Paper..................................................................................................4
2.LITERATURE REVIEW..........................................................................................................6
2.1. Definition of Key Terms.....................................................................................................6
2.1.1Attitudes..........................................................................................................................6
2.1.2. Watershed.....................................................................................................................6
2.1.3. Watershed Management..............................................................................................6
2.1.4. Integrating Watershed management..........................................................................7
2.2. Approaches for Watershed management.........................................................................7
2.2.1. Integrated Approach....................................................................................................7

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 2.2.1. Consortium....................................................................................................................8
2.3. Watershed Management for Sustainable Development..................................................8
2.3.1. Agricultural Scheme.....................................................................................................8
2.3.2, Rural Development Scheme........................................................................................9
2.4. Environmental Benefits of Watershed Management.......................................................9
2.4.1. Environmental Benefits of Watershed in Land and Water Conservation
Practices..................................................................................................................................9
2.4.2. Benefit of watershed management in Climate Change Mitigation........................10
CHAPTER THREE RESEARCH METHEODOLOGY.........................................................11
3.1. DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA....................................................................11
3.1.1. Location and Size........................................................................................................11
. 3.1.2. Population of study area..........................................................................................11
3.1.4. climate and water source of study area....................................................................11
3.1.4. Economic Activity of the Study Area...........................................................................11
3.1.5. Soil Type of Stud Area...............................................................................................11
3.2 Research Design.................................................................................................................12
3.3. Sampling Techniques and Sample Size...........................................................................12
3.4 Types and Sources of Data................................................................................................12
3.5 Method of Data Collection................................................................................................12
3.6 Data Collection Procedure................................................................................................13
3.2.6. Method of Data Analysis............................................................................................13
3.2.7. Ethical Consideration in the Fieldwork...................................................................13
CHAPTER FOUR; RESULT AND DISCUSSION..................................................................14
4.1. Background Information of Respondents.......................................................................14
4.1.1Distribution of Sampled Farmers by Sex...................................................................14
4.1.2. Distribution of Sampled Farmers by Educational Level........................................15
4.1.3. Description of Sample Respondents of Farmers by Marital Status..............................15
4.2. Measures of Farmers according to their Attitudes..............................................................16
4.3. Description of Farmers Participation on Watershed Management Practice.......................17
4.4. Description of Environmental activities of Farmers on Watershed Management..............17
4.5. Description of Respondents of Requesting on Major Objectives of Watershed Programs 18
4.6. Description of the Importance of Watershed Management Practice for Respondents on
making Decision........................................................................................................................18

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 4.7. Description of Respondents on Implementing Watershed Program for Community Service
....................................................................................................................................................19
CHAPTER FIVE.....................................................................................................................................20
5.CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION...................................................................................20
5.1. Conclusion......................................................................................................................................20
5.2. Recommendation............................................................................................................................20
REFERENCES........................................................................................................................................22
APPEDEX……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………23

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 LIST OF TABLES

Table 1 Age Group of the Sampled Respondents..........................................................................14

Table 2 ex Composition of the Sampled Farmers.........................................................................14
Table 3: Educational Level of Respondents..................................................................................15
Table 4 Martial Status of the Respondents....................................................................................15
Table 5 Classification of Farmers according to their Attitude towards the Watershed
Management Attitudes of Respondents on Watershed Management............................................16
Table 6 : Participation of Respondents on Watershed Management.............................................17
Table 7 Environmental Activities of eh Respondents...................................................................17
Table 8 Major Objectives of Watershed Management Program...................................................18
Table 9 Importance of making Decision about New Management of Watershed Program..........18
Table 10 Implementation of Watershed for Community Service..................................................19

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 LIST OF ABBREVIATION

IWM Integrated Watershed Management

CSA Central Statistics Agency

WP Watershed Program

WMP Watershed Management Program

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 ABSTRACT

The main purpose of this study is to assess the farmer’s attitude toward watershed
management practice. This study will be conducted in keyakellaKebele, bonga Woreda,
keffaZone, and south State of Ethiopia. Watershed management is very necessary to the
area where soil erosion is affecting Watershed management controls soil from any
environmental damage like erosion, degradation, etc. For this study, 61(10%) households
from total households 610 were selecting by using systematic random sampling technique.
Both primary and secondary data sources will be using in this study. For primary data
collection, household surveys, questionnaires, key informant interview, focus group
discussion and personal observation will be using as tools to collect the necessary
information. For secondary data collection, document review will be using to collect
valuable information.

The researcher has beselected representative sample of 61 household head from total
household of 610 households by using systematic sampling technique which is one of
representative sampling. Remove or delete this major finding of this study will beto reduce
soil erosion, land degradation and increasing nutrient in soil. Generally, watershed
management plays significant role in any environment to improve their surrounding area.

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 CHAPTER ONE

1.INTRODUCTION

1.1. Background of the Study

Watershed management is the study of relevant characteristics of watershed aimed at the

stainable distribution of its resources and the process of creating and implementing plans
programs and projects to sustain and enhance watershed functions that affect the plant, animals
and human community’s boundary. As a consequence of population increase water for good
production is becoming an increasingly scarce resources and the situation is further aggravated
by climate change (Modeln, 2007).

The rain fed areas the host spots of poverty, malnutrition, food insecurity, porn to sever land
degradation, water security and poor social and institutional infrastructure (Rock, Storm, et al,
2007, Wani; et al, 2007). Watershed development program is therefore, considered as an
effective tool for addressing many of the problems and recognized as a potential engine for
agricultural growth and development in fragile and marginal rain fed area (Joshi: et, al, 2005,
Ahuwalia and Wari, et al, 2006). Management of natural resource at Watershed scale produces
multiple benefits in terms of increasing food production, improving livelihoods, protecting
environment, addressing gender and equity issues along with biodiversity concerns (Wani, et al,
2003, and Rock Starm, et al, 2002).

The development of watershed program was started in 1970s and 1980s in developing countries
because of being one of the developing counters. Ethiopia started watershed project management
and planning activities in the year of 1980s. A planning unit for developing large watershed
comprised 30-40 thousand hectors for being destructing and mismanaging land resource. Despite
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the fact, there is sever land degradation in Ethiopia highlands, efforts undertaken for users the
scenario have been minimal and mainly been the form companies and quite often farmers have
not been involved in the planning process (Azene, 2001, Paulos, et al, 2004).

Attitudes towards local land users such farmers are critical for sustainable conservation
endeavors. For example, in research conducted by (HU, et al, 2006) on the losses hill area of
China, the contribution of attitudes in conservation of natural resource was found to have a
significant role in successful implementation of soil conservation project. As (Napier et al, 2008)
noted, unless the attitudes of all stakeholders in a concerned area are assessed and represented,
conservation planning and program implementation efforts may not achieve its anticipated
outcome. Attitude implies that a person is no longer neutral towards referent objectives or issues.
a number of socio-economic characteristics affects farmers toward watershed management
activities. Watershed is the drain too common outlet. It also collected drainage basin.

1.2. Statement of the Problem

The development of rural livelihoods in Ethiopian rests on its natural resource base
understanding farmers environmental activities as important contribution for selecting viable
land resource management as conservancy bases to assess the effectiveness of introduced
conservation of management method by avoiding potential conflicts (Hu et al, 2006).A number
of socio-economic characteristics like extension contact, and literacy have caused attitude
difference among farmers training received and satisfaction with participation and age level,
level of literacy and economic activity that influence of farmers’ attitude towards conservation of
natural resource and watershed management. In case of the study area especially emphasizes are
given to farmers attitudes towards integrated watershed management program for improvement
of household, livelihood security situation by upgrading or increasing rural farmers consideration
about watershed management from small scale farmers to large scale farmers.

The previous researchers were not enough assessed about people’s perception towards watershed
management in order to conserve the fertility of soil. But now we will be conducting the farmers
attitude on watershed management by considering socio economic characteristics in order to
solve water shade management problems to enhance the fertility of soil and increasing
productivity as a production in the study area

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1.3. Objectives of the Study
1.3.1. General Objective
The General objective of the study was assessing the farmers’ attitude towards watershed
management practice in case of BONGA town in keyakella kebella

1.3.2. Specific Objectives

• To identify the key watershed problems and the root causes.

• To evaluate conservation activities as response of ever-expanding land

degradation through watershed management practices.

• To generate recommendations that would assest the further development and

management of sub–watershed

1.3.3 Research Question

• What kinds of measures are taking place to build up farmers attitudes towards watershed
management practice?

• What is the participation of farmers on watershed management practice?

• What kinds of activity the farmers participate on watershed management practice?

1.4. Significance of the Study

Now days in many developing countries, the nature and magnitude of the problems of
watershed degradation as brought the long-term reduction of quality and quantity of land
water resource. As being one of the developing countries, Ethiopia is running watershed
project to protect, conserve and improve watershed management practice to project or
promote sustainable development and to meet its objective in different part of the
country. Our country is designing and implementing watershed project as long-term

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approach to solve the problem of watershed degradation. The outcome of the study will
generate information for different stakeholders, engineers, researchers, policy maker’s
governmental and non-governmental organization, and farmer’s local level organizations
to design and develop effective sustainable integrated watershed management practices
and strategies. Moreover, the methodology that will be developed in this study and the
result will be found conserve as background information to undertake

Similar research in similar setting.

1.5 Limitation of the study

To write effect research, sufficient amount of money and time is mandatory. Again, willingness
of farmers to respond targeted questionnaires of the study and responding in appropriate answers
to questionnaire were the problems that encouraged at a time of questionnaires distributed in the
study area.

1.6. Scope of the Study

The scope of this research will be to investigate the level of farmers’ awareness and attitude
towards the problem of watershed management practices at local level i.e. Woreda. And to
assess some of the factors that determine farmers’ awareness of and attitude towards watershed
and management. There are a number of factors that affects farmers’ awareness and attitude
towards land degradation and management. It constitutes the demographic, socio-economic,
political, cultural and psychological factors. Even though, those factors are many in number they
are interrelated and multiple.

1.7. Organization of the Paper

Overall, the study comprises six-chapter, chapter one deals with the interlocution consisting of
stamen of the problem’s objectives of the study, general and specific objectives, research
questions, significance of the study, limitation of the study, scope of the study and organization
of the paper while chapter two deals with review related on attitudes of farmers towards

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watershed management. Chapter three deals with the methodology section of the research.
Chapter four deals with description of the stud, chapter five contains data analysis and
presentation. And finally (chapter six) deals with conclusion and recommendation.

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 2.LITERATURE REVIEW

2.1. Definition of Key Terms

2.1.1Attitudes

Attitudes refer to a person physiological stand about objective of issues. It implies that a person
is no longer natural towards different objective or issues. As Napier et al, 2008) noted unless the
attitudes of all stakeholders in concentrated area are assessed and represented, conservation
planning program implementation effects way not achieved; it is anticipated outcome. Farmers
with positive attitude towards conservation efforts are excited on the activities and maintenance
of conservation structure (Bekele and Holden, 2000; Hu et al, 2006). This implies it uses less to
compare people in to accepting systems of conservation such as soil and water resources flat they
do not appreciate, understanding farmers’ environmental attitude has important contribution for
selecting available land resource management options as it conserves as a bases to assess the
effectiveness of introduced conservation by avoiding potential conflict (Hu et al, 2006).

2.1.2. Watershed

Watershed is defined as a geo hydrological unit which drains in to a common point. It is also
called drainage basin or catchment area, is defined as an area in which all water goes to common
outlet. Watershed is not simply the hydrological unit but also socio-political and iconological
entity which plays crucial role in determining food, social and economic security and provides
life support service for rural people (Waniet, al, 2008). Watershed is uses interchangeable with
the term such as drainage basin and catchment area. Drainage basin generally, refers to large
watersheds that encompass the watershed of many smaller rivers and streams.

2.1.3. Watershed Management

Watershed management is an integrated use of land, vegetarian and water in a geographical

drainage area of the benefit of it is residents, with objective of protecting or conserving them
hydrological service streams or ground water impacts. It is the study of the relevant

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characteristics of watershed aimed at the sustainable distribution of its resource and process of
creating implementing plans; programs and project of sustain and enhance watershed function
that affects the plants, animals and common community within watershed boundary.

A typical Watershed management program is thus likely to aim the following:

• Improving the management of the land and water and the interaction

• Increasing the intensity and productivity of resources used in the upland areas with the
objectives of reducing poverty

• Improving environmental service and reducing negative externality.

• Addressing technical and policy issues needed to ensure equitable sharing of benefit
among stakeholder and sustainable watershed management.

2.1.4. Integrating Watershed management

Integrating Watershed management is the process of managing human activity and natural
resource on watershed basis. The need for this approach is it allows us to protect important water
resources and addressing critical issues such as the current and future impact of rapid growth and
climate change.

2.2. Approaches for Watershed management

Watershed approaches are the most effective to addressing a day’s watershed resource challenge.
It has conventional and at treat a degradation land with the help of low costs and local assessed
technologies such as in-suites soil and moisture conservation measures, forestation and through
participatory approach of that seeks to scare close involvement of the user’s community.

2.2.1. Integrated Approach

This approach suggests that the integration of technology with the natural boundary the drainage
area for optimum development of land, water and plant resources to meet basic needs of people
and animals in sustainable manner. This approach aims to improve standard of living common
people increasing his earning capacity by offering all facility requires for optimum production

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(S, T, Holden, 2005). In order to achieve its objectives, integrate watershed management, suggest
adopting land and water conservation practice, water harvesting in ponds and recharging of
ground water for increasing water resource potential and stress on crop diversification, use of
improve varieties of seed, integrated nutrient management and integrated pest management
practice, etc.

2.2.1. Consortium

Consortium approach emphasis on all collective action and community participation has been
including primary stakeholder, government and non-government organization and other
institution (Reddy, 2008). Easy access and timely advice to local farmers are important drivers
for the observed impressive impacts in the watershed. This leads to enhance awareness of the
farmers and their ability to consent with the right people when problems arise. IT requires
multidisciplinary professions in the field of engineering, agronomy, forest, economy and
marketing. It is not always possible to get all the required support and skill set in one
organization.

2.3. Watershed Management for Sustainable Development

Sustainable integrated watershed management can be defined as a process of utilization

development and conservation of land, water and forest resource for continual improving
livelihoods, for household and communities in hydrological independent geographical area.
Thus, it deals with the sustainable development of farmers, their own and common property
resource for poverty alleviation. In the case of small, medium and marginal farmers and other
land users. In a given watershed both upstream and downstream management activities help to
sustainable watershed which leads to holistic integrated development approach (Kasavaroa,
2009).

2.3.1. Agricultural Scheme

Farmers those slowly depend on agricultures holds high uncertainty and risk of failure due to
various extreme events, pests and disease attack, market shacks and shortage of rainfall. The
attempts taken towards to watershed development activities with multiple interventions enhance

xvi
the resource based and livelihoods of the rural people. Watershed management put emphasis on
crop diversification and intensification through the use of advanced technology, epically good
variety of used, balanced fertilizer, application, integrated use of pesticides by providing
supplementary irrigation (Modden, 2, 700).

2.3.2, Rural Development Scheme

Rural people face complex and diverse economic, social and environmental challenges.
Watershed management program assists rural community in different way. As it consists of
participatory approaches, watershed project implantation provides the rural peoples to maximize
their economy through capacity building and involving them in beam to have effective soil and
water conservation practice. The objective of watershed management comprises to support the
scale up on the best land management adoption of this management and technology by small
holder farmers in high potential and food secure area (Morad, 2008). The broad objective was
the promotion of the overall economic development and improvement of the socio-economic
condition of the resource to poor section of people in habiting in the program area.

2.4. Environmental Benefits of Watershed Management

Watersheds are complex systems where a water, soil, flora, fauna and natural resource use
practice interact. Hence, watershed degradation has environmental and socio-economic effects
for beyond the more obviously on site and downstream impacts. For the same reasons watershed
management intervention may bring local regional and global environmental benefit. However,
watershed management program has tended to neglect environmental impacts beyond
implication land and water impacts. Also, the same project did target broader environmental
objective to community agriculture and watershed project. Integrated approach to natural
resource management at the watershed level could in principle developed address the complex
system dynamics in watershed and to achieve global environmental benefit (WanispSreedevit, K,
ReddyvonkatesWarlu Bands Parasadu, 2008).

2.4.1. Environmental Benefits of Watershed in Land and Water Conservation Practices

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Soil and water conservation practices are primary steps of watershed management program.
Conservation practices can be divided in to two actors: - in- suite and ex-suites. Those made with
in agricultural fields like construction of contour bunds, graded bunds, terrace building, broads
and narrow practice and other soil moisture conservation practices is called in suite management
practice

• In-suite practice: - it protects land degradation, improve soil healthy and soil moisture
availability and ground water recharge

• Ex-suite: - moreover, ex-suite construction of check dams, farm pond and gully control
structure pits excavation across the stream is called ex-suite management

Ex-suite watershed management practice picks discharge in order to reclaiming gully formation
and harvest sustainable amount of runoff which increase ground recharge and irrigation potential
in watershed.

2.4.2. Benefit of watershed management in Climate Change Mitigation

Climate change is expected to bring both long-term and shortage to the water cycle and increased
variability and up predict ability and to have impact on agricultural productivity

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 CHAPTER THREE RESEARCH METHEODOLOGY

3.1. DESCRIPTION OF THE STUDY AREA

3.1.1. Location and Size

The study area is located in south state; north western Ethiopia within the geographical grid
coordinates of 100 55'00'' to 110 05'00'' North latitude and 370 05'00'' to 370 15'00'' East
longitude. The district is bounded with Mecha District in the north, Yilmana Densa District in
the north east, Burie District in the south, Jabi Tehinan District in the south east, Awi zone in the
west and Quarit District in the east. Gish-Abay is the capital town of the district and it is situated
about 425 kilometers northwest of Addis Ababa and around 175 kilometers southwest of Bihar
Dar, the capital of Amhara Regional State.
. 3.1.2. Population of study area
Based on the 2007 national census conducted by the Central Statistical Agency of Ethiopia
(CSA), this woreda has a total population of 138,691, an increase of 61.36% over the 1994
census, of whom 69,018 are men and 69,673 women; 6,779 or 4.89% are urban inhabitants.
3.1.4. climate and water source of study area
.
The climate is humid with an average annual rainfall of more than 1600 mm. In Sekela woreda,
there are 5 major rivers that flow premaritally, 38 small tributaries, 105 springs and one lake are
found. The major rivers are Abbay, Guder, Lahie and Jemma. Despite the widely held view that
the Blue Nile originates from Lake Tana, the local people and Woreda level officials strongly
believe that the Gish Mountain is the true source of Blue Nile
3.1.4. Economic Activity of the Study Area
The major economic activity that the population of the study area engaged is agriculture
supported by crop production. The agriculture is rain feed and depends on two rain seasons, i.e.,
summer (the long rain season) and spring (the short rain season) in which the long cycle crops
are planted. Crop production and animal raring are collectively carried out as important
economic activity.
3.1.5. Soil Type of Stud Area

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 The major dominated soils types in study area sand, loam and clay are among important soil
groups in sekela woreda particularly in Erebowgebaya kebele

3.2 Research Design

The research was the cross-sectional study design in study area because the design would be
select for find the farmer’s attitudes towards watershed management practices. Both qualitative
and quantitative methods were applied in order to receive the variable information.

3.3. Sampling Techniques and Sample Size

There are 35 Kebeles in Sekela Woreda, among them only one Kebele was selected for the study.
This selected Kebele is Erebow Gebaya, total household of the Kebele is 610. From these the
researcher has taken sample size by using sample random sampling techniques through lottery
method. Therefore, from total household of the study area 10% of 61 household would have
taken for sample size. Finally, by taking the sample from the total household population of 610
by using sample random used 61 respondents from farmer households.

3.4 Types and Sources of Data

The main data types for this study were both qualitative and quantitative types of data. The
qualitative data were obtained to describe the behaviors and ideas of community and the
quantities data were used through tables and precents. And the main data sources for this study
were both primary and secondary data. The primary sources of data were obtained from the
household of the study area and from the administrative office of the Kebele through
questionnaires. The secondary data source was to get information from Erebow Gebaya Kebele
office documentation analysis.

3.5 Method of Data Collection

Both primary and secondary data collection method were used. The primary data was collected
through interview, questionnaires and the secondary data was collected through published like
written materials and unpublished documents like internet of Kebele administration office.

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3.6 Data Collection Procedure

For the data collection procedure first, the research as introduces his self to the respondent and
give some information about the purposes hence together the requirement information Then the
researcher would been gathered information and data analysis by uses different techniques.
Therefore, the researcher would be collects by the prepared questionnaires the fill back of the
respondent.

3.2.6. Method of Data Analysis

The data collection from the respondents was analyzed by using both qualitative and quantitative
data statistical method. The quantitative data was analyzed by descriptive statistical method like
percentages. The qualitative data was analyzed by explanation of behavior attitude and narration.

3.2.7. Ethical Consideration in the Fieldwork

During the data collection the research has taken permission by explaining the objective of the
study for the concerned bodies or office leader by showing the request for cooperation which
was written from salale University College of agricultures and natural resource human
department of natural resource management. After having permission from concerned body, the
research explains the objectives of the research for those who were selects to respond the
questions to get the required information and collected data.

xxi
 CHAPTER FOUR; RESULT AND DISCUSSION

This chapter deals with the analysis of the attitudes of farmers in the study area that derived from
data through the mechanism of field survey questionnaires. To address the intended outstanding
issues and objectives of the researcher in the study area questionnaires were distributed over 32
sampled farmers. The study area was divided by upstream population and down streams
population settlement. Watershed management projects were running both upstream and
downstream area was mostly the part of project was watershed activity has been going ahead.

4.1. Background Information of Respondents

Table 1 Age Group of the Sampled Respondents

Age No of Respondents Percentage

18-30 25 40.9
31-42 30 49.1
Above 6 9.8
Total 61 100
Source: - Field Survey, 2021

The table above shows, age groups of watershed activities of participants in which (40.9%) of
population were youth 49.1%) were adult and (10%) nearly old age. The shows watershed
management activities were mostly dominated by youth peoples.

4.1.1Distribution of Sampled Farmers by Sex

Table 2 ex Composition of the Sampled Farmers

Sex No of Respondents Percentage

Male 41 51
Female 20 49
Total 61 100
Source: - Field Survey, 2021

The above table shows the respondents sex composition on watershed program in which41 of
farmers out of 61 sampled farmers were male and 20 farmers out of 61 sampled farmers were

xxii
female population. From these the researcher found that watershed management program was
both sex inclusion and nearly equal participation of male and female were practiced in the study
area.

4.1.2. Distribution of Sampled Farmers by Educational Level

Table 3: Educational Level of Respondents

Educational level No of Respondents Percentage

Cannot read and write 25 40.98
Grade 1-8 20 32.78
Grade 9-12 16 26.22
Total above 61 100
Source: - Field Survey, 2021

As the above table indicates, the number of respondents about (40.98%) was showing nearly half
of the sampled farmers were uneducated at all in the case of study area. And remained
respondents of education were having been no more difference percentage of education level.

4.1.3. Description of Sample Respondents of Farmers by Marital Status

Table 4 Martial Status of the Respondents

Marital status No of Respondents Percentage

Married 31 50.81
Unmarried 16 26.22
Divorced 10 16.39
Widowed 4 6.55
Total above 61 100
Source: - Field Survey, 2021

The above table indicates that from the sampled farmers 31 out to 61 were married and 16, 10and
4 were unmarred, divorced and widowed respectively. Therefore, the researcher fund that most
of the sampled groups in study area (50.81%) were married that participate in watershed
management practice

xxiii
4.2. Measures of Farmers according to their Attitudes

Towards the watershed management practice farmers’ attitude were measured or tested using
ranking methods. A liker scale was used to give marks to each respondent and to separate
participant in to strongly agree, agree, undecided, disagree and strongly disagree. Each farmer
responded to the item on five-point liker scale ranging from strongly agree to strongly disagree.
Sample weighting (1-to 5) were assigned to the response categories on the base of favor and
disfavor for the item.

The strong agree response with a weight of 5 was given for the most favor statements, the agree,
undecided, disagree and strongly disagree were given value of 4, 3, 2, and 1 respectively. The
maximum was given for strongly agree in the case of positive statements. Higher values for
positive statement indicated positive attitudes towards watershed management.

Table 5 Classification of Farmers according to their Attitude towards the Watershed

Management Attitudes of Respondents on Watershed Management

Strongly agree No of Respondents Percentage

Agee 40 65.57
Disagree 15 24.59
Strongly disagree 6 9.83
Total above 61 100
Source: - Field Survey, 2021

The table on the above indicates the view of farmers regarding the need for watershed in this
Kebele of the total interviewed farmers 40(65%) had strongly agree, 15(24.59%) were, 6(9.83%)
were disagree and had no respondents were strongly disagree attitudes towards watershed
management practice in study area among selected. Attitudes statement:- soil and resources
were are basis of life so that should be strictly conserved, tree should be planted on closed and
hill not on the farm, plantation of tree on garden prevents soil erosion, mulching prevents loss of
farmer land, it is the responsibility of local people to protect natural resource from damage,
maturing improves water conservation in the soil, regeneration of plant has increased in recent

xxiv
years in watershed, only land owners should plant trees, drainage prevents water logging in the
soil and I am volunteer to participate in conservation activity

4.3. Description of Farmers Participation on Watershed Management Practice

Farmers were participated on watershed management during problem identification,

prioritization, planning and implementation of watershed management.

Table 6 : Participation of Respondents on Watershed Management

Participation No of Respondents Percentage

Low - -
Moderate 13
High 27
Very high 21
Total above 61 100
Source: - Field Survey, 2021

The above table shows that the sampled respondents of farmers against problem deification,
planning and implantation on watershed program were high and very high mostly. This indicated
farmers in the case of Erebow Gebaya Kebele were highly developed this considerable
participation to solve the problems rising around good management of watershed project.

4.4. Description of Environmental activities of Farmers on Watershed Management

Table 7 Environmental Activities of eh Respondents

Activities No of Respondents Percentage

Planting trees 15 24.59
Soil conservation 9 14.75
Rehabilitation 6 9.83
All 30 49.17
Total above 61 100
Source: - Field Survey, 2021

The above table shows that out 61 sampled respondents 30 about (49.17%) (49.17%) of the
sampled farmers were participated in all environmental activities, 9(14.75%),6(9.83%) and

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15(24.59%) of them were participated only in soil conservation, rehabilitation and planting trees
respectively.

4.5. Description of Respondents of Requesting on Major Objectives of Watershed

Programs
Table 8 Major Objectives of Watershed Management Program

Objective No of Respondents Percentage

Conservation 9 14.75
Upgrading 4 6.55
Utilization of natural endowment 19 31.14
All 32 52.14
Total above 61 100
Source: - Field Survey, 2021

Table 8 shows that out of 61 sampled respondents 32(52.14%) of respondents were clearly
understood the objective of watershed which are all conservation, upgrading and utilization of
natural endowment (land, water and plant)

4.6. Description of the Importance of Watershed Management Practice for Respondents on

making Decision
Table 9 Importance of making Decision about New Management of Watershed Program

How important is it? No of Respondents Percentage

Not at all - -
Somewhat important 10 16.39
Undecided - -
Important 26 42.62
Very important 25 40.98
Total above 61 100
Source: - Field Survey, 2021

As the above table shows, the sampled respondents replied that very important these indicated
that in the study area farmers were informed to adopt the problems of watershed and reasonable
possible their own decision on new management practice of watershed practice.

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4.7. Description of Respondents on Implementing Watershed Program for Community
Service
Table 10 Implementation of Watershed for Community Service

Implementation watershed management No of Respondents Percentage

program for your community is important
Economic viable 14 22.95
Soil and water conservation 16 26.22
Developing skill and attitude 4 6.55
All 34 55.72
Total above 61 100
Source: - Field Survey, 2021

As table 10 shows, the sampled respondents of farmers were replied that all alternative to
requested on implementation of watershed program for the community were important for
conservation of soil and water, economic viable, developing skill and attitudes. The sampled
groups were 34 out of 61 and these were nearly 2(55.72%) out of 100% and clearly indicated
watershed project development in the resulted in good improvement of farmers participation on
management approach.

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 CHAPTER FIVE

5.CONCLUSION AND RECOMMENDATION

5.1. Conclusion

Farmers, involvement and development their attitude towards integrated watershed management
which consists of land, water and plant are important to good management of natural resource,
farmers with positive attitudes towards natural resource conservation also bring important in
natural conservation and management of land resource.

Training and creation of awareness to farmers with right people increases their attitude towards
conservation efforts. So, it is advantageous for watershed management program to achieve its
designed objective by attempting farmers to adopt different nativities running over watershed
program. It is obviously that the same activities were found by the researcher in the study area.

For example, percentages of sample respondents of farmers on decision making were 94% on
watershed management program problem identification, prioritization, planning and
implementation.

Also, in the study area high awareness of farmers towards mitigation measures in bare lands, by
planting trees, preparing soil banking (this means reduce the risk of flood) and terracing
activities were running in combination now a day for achievement of integrated watershed
management program.

5.2. Recommendation
 Integrated watershed management program where important development efforts
improve livelihood of the rural people and conservation of natural resource at watershed
base it implemented properly.
 This study found evidence that the integrated watershed management program was
significantly increase the awareness and brought favorable condition for rural peoples
both in living condition and building their attitudes towards conservation measures.

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 The study also showed that respondents’ attitude towards factors affecting integrated
watershed management program has been upgraded in the area and farmers were
developed their consideration towards the objective of watershed project.
 Activities performed on integrated watershed management program by farmers both
upstream and downstream area of study were inevitable use for environmental service
such as water quality, biodiversity, conservation, carbon sequestration, and reduce
flooding hazards,
 so, it is a mandatory to development agents to work with primary stockholders and
concerned body of watershed management project to environmental challenges and best
management of resource on watershed base in the area.

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 REFERENCES

Baral N. (2006), Resources use and Conservation Attitudes of Local Peoples in the Western
Teri Landscape, Nepal (Thesis), Florida International University

Bekele Shiferaw and S. T. Holden (2000), Resource Degradation and Adaptation of Land
Conservation Technologies in Ethiopia High Lands

Groaf G. D (2004), Soil Conservation and Sustainable Land Use: An Economic Approach
Royal Tropical Institute Amsterdam

Hu. Chen-Xira, Fu and Hubert (2006), Farmers’ Attitude, towards the Grain for Green Program
in the Losses Hill Area, china

JoshipkIha, Ak, Wanirp, Tashi and Shiyani RL (2005), Meta-Analysis to Assess

Modden D 700, Water for High; A Comprehensive Assessment of watershed management in

Agriculture

Napier T. L. K. Mcutcheon 4, T, Fish (2003), Factors Affecting Natural Resource Conservation

Investment Resident of the Lower Bigwanutcree Watershed and Water Conservation.

Sign RV. (2000), Ed Watershed Planning Management, Yash Publishing House Bikaner, Rajas
than India

Wanisp, Reddy VaakatesWarlusBaad (2003), Community Approached for Improved Livelihood

through Consortium Approach in Drought Porn Rain Fed Area.

AnispRemarkishaarsSreedjjK Long and Kasavaroaavr (2006)

Uses Conapts Approached and Practice in the integrated watershed management Experience and
Lesson from Asia in Integrated Management of Watershed for Agricultural
Diversification and sustainable Livelihoods in Eastern Africa

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 APPENDIX

SALALE UNIVERSITY

COLLEGE AGRICULTURAR AND NATURAL RESOURCE

DEPARTMENT SOIL RESOURCE AND WATERSHED MANAGEMENT

This questionnaire will be prepare by bongaUniversity fourth year soil resource and Watershed
management studies for the purpose of collecting information for senior essarty entitled
“assessment of farmer’s attitude towards to the watershed management’ in west Gojjam Zone
sekela Wored in case of Erebu GebeyAKebele for fulfillment of first-degree educational
qualification. So, your contribution is very essential for the study and I asking you to give
appropriate and accurate answer in the box with Excellency for your cooperation. Put your
answer “X” in box and explain your answer the question is given in the form of at (-_) or dash

Part I: Questionnaires

• Name of respondents __________________________

• Educational level of respondents: A. Cannot read and write B. Grade 1-8 Grade 9-12
Above grade 12

• Age group respondent: A. 18-30 B. 31-42 C. Above 42

• Sex of the respondents: A. Male B. Female

• Marital status of the respondents: A. Married B. Unmarried C. Divorced D.

Widowed

• When you make decision about new management practices in watershed program in your
locality, how important is it? A. Not all-important B. Somewhat important C.
Undecided D. Important

• During problem identification, prioritization, planning and implementation of watershed

management program, farmers, participation and involvement is:

A. Low B. Moderate C. High D. Very high

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• How likely that watershed management program is essential for rural community?

• Unlikely B. Likely C. Will not happen D. None

• The major objective of watershed program is: A. Conservation B. Upgrading

C. Utilization of natural endowment D. All

• What is your appreciation towards watershed management activities?

A. High B. Moderate C. Low D. Natural

• For the above question if you select “high”, how it can be measured?

• Depend on your participation

• By awareness creation

• By governmental body and non-government

• Both

• Implementing watershed program for your community important for:

• Economic viable C. Developing skill and attitude

• Soil and water conservation D. All

• If you are helping government staff in developing and implementing different activity on
watershed, what environmental protection activities you are doing?

• Planting tree B. Rehabilitation C. Soil conservation D. All

• For question number 13 do you select “planning tree” as considered as environmental

friend? A. Yes B. No

• For question number 14 on the above if your select “planting tree” what are
environmental roles your planting tree have? __________________________________

______________________________________________________________________

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• What are the measure effects of watershed management in the study area?

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

• What the reason of watershed management in your locality?

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

Interview Questions

• What is the measure objective of watershed management program?

________________________________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________________________

• What is your appreciation towards watershed management activities in your Kebele?

• How you implemented watershed program for your study area?

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

• There any governmental or non-governmental organization (NGO) that help to overcome

the problem of watershed program in the study area?

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

• If the answer for questions number 4 is “Yes” then what program the participate?

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

• What are the factor that accelerates the exhaustion of watershed management program in
the study area?

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 ________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

• do you think that watershed management program practices to control the problems in
your locality?

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

• How do you protect the problems of watershed management program to enhance

watershed management program in your Kebele?

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

• What type of watershed management program measures is been practice being practiced
in your study area?

________________________________________________________________________
________________________________________________________________________

xxxiv