Implication of Land Degradation and Conservation Practices: An Exploratory Study

Land degradation is a global phenomenon that endangers the livelihoods of farmers. Recognizing this fact, different land management practices were introduced to combat the problem but effectiveness of these practices was below expectations. This paper focused on implication of land degradation and conservation practices in purposively selected three villages. Data was collected through interview schedule, focus group discussion, key informant interview and personal observation from 178 households selected by simple random sampling. Descriptive statistics like frequencies, percentages, mean and standard deviation, were used to analyze the data to arrive the results. In addition, inferential statistics like paired sample t-test and ordered logistic regression were used to assess the consequences and to identify the determinants of land degradation respectively. The findings indicate that the degree of land degradation is increasing due to over-cultivation, over grazing, animal trampling and soil erosion. Education, distance of land, slope steepness, training, credit and soil conservation practices were found to be significant variables. The consequences were low productivity, diminishing livestock, loss of soil fertility, increase weed infestation, unemployment and migration. To prevent this, physical and biological conservation practices were carried out.