Assessment of farmers perception and adaptation mechanism to soil erosion problem in Shomba Kichib, Gimbo District, Kaffa Zone, South West Ethiopia

Soil erosion is one of the major problems challenging farmers in Ethiopia. Though a number of soil and water conservation methods were introduced and practiced, sustaining the application of these measures is far below expectations and soil degradation is still a persistent problem. This research was conducted with the aim of finding out the type of indigenous and introduced soil and water conservation measures, determining the farmer’s adaptation mechanism to erosion and biophysical factors that influence the use of these measures in the area. For this study, a total of 35 households were interviewed and farm fields were visited. The results showed that farmers in the area were mainly annual crop producers on slope farmland with traditional as well as newly introduced conservation structures. Contour farming for maize and furrow making, gulgualo and gilalo methods for millet and pepper production are the common ones. Continuous farming, tillage on slope land with no conservation structures, deforestation and frequent tillage up to 5 times for some crops are important factors aggravating soil erosion. As a recommendation, the very sloppy nature of the study area has to be given due emphasis and priority for an appropriate designed soil and water conservation practice. Key words: Soil erosion, soil and water conservation, farmers’ perception, conservation measures.