Abstract:
Soil and water conservation structures include all mechanical or structural measures that control the velocity of surface runoff and thus minimize soil erosion and retain water where it is needed. However, the impact of SWC measures on soil fertility, crop yield, and adoption status is not well known. The objective of the study was to examine the roles of Soil and Water Conservation measures on soil fertility, crop yield, and the adoption status of physical soil and water conservation measures on Merazit-Bargba watershed of the dehana district. To achieve these objectives use both social survey and soil experiments. From soil experiments were taken soil sample both treated and un-treated plots using a composite method and soil sample laboratory result was recorded then analyzed with one-way ANOVA. The other was a social survey from this to use probit model and analysis it. Soil laboratory analysis results indicate that the most of the chemical and physical property of soil was significant which implies the conservation of soil water was not effective, but some of stone bund and bunch terrace to improve the chemical and physical property. In the social survey result revealed that about 80.4% of the households were adopted SWC practice in the study area. This SWC practice adoption reduced the impact of soil erosion, which means to improve soil fertility and crop yields. In general, the SWC practice didn’t bring change in crop yield in the study area except on the tef yield which was significant at 10% level of significance. Generally, the study area soil characteristics won’t acidity, it’s suitable for crop production and the adoption of SWC practice was effective. As a recommendation district agriculture office and other responsible organizations must improve the SWC practice and implement it continually to achieve sustainable developments.