Factors influencing adoptation of sustainable soil conservation measures on the agricultural slopes of Mountain Elgon in Bungokho sub county in Mbale district

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Date
2018-08
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Publisher
Kampala International University.College Of Education
Abstract
The study examined the factors that affect the adoption of soil conservation in Bungokho subcounty in Mbale district. Forty (40) respondents were selected from four parishes of Bungokho, and from each, two villages were sampled. The respondents were selected using simple random sampling and purposive sampling techniques. Structured questionnaires, informant interviews, observation, recording and camera were tools employed to collect data from the respondents. Data analysis was done statistically basing on the objectives and results were tabulated using frequency and percentages and further presented on graphs and pie chart for simplification. The major objective of the study was to find out factors that influence adoption of soil conservation measures. The results of the survey showed that terraces and intercropping are the dominant soil conservation measures adopted by farmers among others. The results revealed that the adoption of soil conservation measures in Bungokho included, labor supply by family members, age of farmers as it increased their experience in farming, experience of farmers in farming, land ownership by farmers (land tenure), perception of soil erosion, slope of land, training in soil erosion control, sources of income for investment. The factors that limit the adoption of soil conservation included: limited financial support from financial institution clue to poor credit system, load fragmentation because of the terrain, limited technical support from extension officers and NGOs. The strategies laid to emphasize the adoption of soil conservation measures are as follow, extension services by NGOs such as Heifer International, and from sub-county NAADS coordinator by then, sensitization of farmers about soil conservation by different stakeholders such as Inzuuya Masaba a cultural institutions and NGOs over radio talk shows a workshops, and field visits. In conclusion terraces and are the dominant soil conservation whose adoption is influence by many factors. The strategies laid to emphasize adoption included use of incentives, formation of farmer groups and extension services among others. The researcher recommended that effective terrace management coupled with integrated soil fertility management and soil conservation awareness should be a priority.
Description
A research report submitted to the Department of Education in partial fulfilment of the requirements for the award of Bachelors degree in Arts with Education, Kampala International University
Keywords
Mountain Elgon, Soil conservation, Agricultural slopes
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