Farmers’ Perception on Integrated Watershed Management and Household Annual Income Evaluation at Maego Watershed, North Ethiopia

Abstract

Farmers’ Perception on Integrated Watershed Management and Household Annual Income Evaluation at Maego Watershed, North Ethiopia This study was conducted to assess integrated watershed management (IWSM) measures and determinant factors for household annual income at Maego watershed. Fifty one respondents were randomly selected from the upper and lower watershed beneficiaries and interviewed. Participatory Rural Appraisal was employed during the data collection. Simple descriptive statistical analysis and general linear regression model were used to analyze the data using SPSS and STATA softwares.  Most of the farmers explained that even though the number of livestock owned by each household was decreased, the number of households which owned livestock had increased after IWSM. Exotic and cross breeds of livestock has been introduced with IWSM. The most commonly used soil and water (SWC) practices on farmlands were normal trench, stone bund and cut-off drain. Whereas, deep trench has been used on uncultivated land. Hillside and bench terraces have been used on both cultivated and uncultivated lands. Most of the respondents rated SWC measures as very intensive to protect soil erosion in flat and steep slopes; whereas in gentle slope they rated as intensive. According to most of the respondents, IWSM had a positive impact on soil fertility, soil moisture, irrigation expansion, grass biomass and water level in wells. Furthermore, household annual income was significantly increased after IWSM. This increased income was recorded from rain fed and irrigated crop production, cattle, poultry and off-farm income. The determinant factors of household annual income after the watershed management were livestock size, labor equivalent, access to market, distance to input supply, farming experience, age and education of household head. Therefore, in designing to improve household income with watershed management, it is recommended to focus on adjusting to these factors. The farmers said that using of fuel wood from the exclosure was prohibited. There should be well managed fuel wood consumption from the closed areas.