CHAPTER ONE

INTRODUCTION
1.1. Background of the study
Ethiopia faces a wide set of soil fertility issues that require approaches that go beyond the
application of chemical fertilizers the only practice applied at scale to date. Core
constraints include topsoil erosion (some sources list Ethiopia among the most severely
erosion-affected countries in the world, along with Lesotho and Haiti ; erosion rates are
estimated at 10-13mm p.a. on average); acidity-affected soils covering over 40 percent of
the country, significantly depleted organic matter due to widespread use of biomass as fuel,
depleted macro and micro-nutrients, depletion of soil physical properties, and soil salinity
(International Food Policy Research Institute, 2010).

Improving soil fertility management among smallholder farmers is widely recognized as a

critical aspect in addressing food insecurity and poverty, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa,
where the majority of the population in most countries earn their livelihood as smallholder
farmers Donovan and Casey, 1998;). Sustained soil fertility management has been an
important factor in increasing productivity, but this has been a challenge in Sub-Saharan
Africa where on average, the rate of input intensity is estimated at between 8-12 kg ha -1
compared to over 83 kg ha -1 for all developing countries ( Mwangi, 1997).

In permanent agricultural systems, soil fertility is maintained through applications of

manure, other organic materials, inorganic fertilizers, lime and the inclusion of legumes in
the cropping systems, or a combination of these. In many parts of the world the availability,
use and profitability of inorganic fertilizers have been low whereas there has been
intensification of land-use and expansion of crop cultivation to marginal soils. As a result,
soil fertility has declined and it is perceived to be widespread, particularly in sub-Saharan
Africa including Ethiopia. Similarly, low soil fertility is recognized as an important
constraint to increased food production and farm incomes in many parts of sub- Saharan
Africa (Shepherd and Soule, 1998).

Soil fertility decline is considered as an important cause for low productivity of many soils.
It has not received the same amount of research attention as soil less spectacular and more
 difficult to assess. Assessing soil fertility status is difficult because most soil chemical
properties either change very slowly or have large seasonal fluctuations; in both cases, it
requires long-term] research commitment (Lal, 1989).

Growing agricultural crops implies that nutrients are removed from the soil through the
agricultural produce (food, fiber, wood) and crop residues. Nutrient removal results in a
decline soil fertility when replenishment with inorganic or organic nutrient inputs is
inadequate ( Asgelil, 2000).

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Thus, the intention of this study is mainly to assess factors affecting integrated soil fertility
management in Azeba Tabia.

1.2. Statement of the Problem

Soil fertility decline is the main issue in African agriculture in general in Ethiopian in particular.

And soil fertility management is one of the core problems that deteriorate Ethiopian agriculture
and leads poverty and starvation. The causes to these rooted problems are the land degradation
exhibited in form of soil fertility loss, as initiated by different factors as deforestation,
overgrazing and with a result of soil erosion, sedimentation, pollution.

While practicing integrated soil fertility management into farming systems, the main factors
affecting are need of fertilizer, organic inputs, and improved germplasm combined with the
knowledge on how to adapt these practices to local conditions, agronomic use efficiency of the
applied nutrients and improving of crop productivity (Vanlauwe, 2010).

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1.3. Objectives of the Study

1.3.1. General Objective

The main objective of this study was to assess the major factors affecting integrated soil
fertility management activities in Azeba tabia.

1.3.2. Specific Objectives

 1. To find out the major factors affecting integrated soil fertility management activities in
Azeba tabia.

2. To identify the mechanism used by local communities to improve the soil fertility status
of their agricultural land

1.4. Significance of the Study

The study may add knowledge on understanding integrated soil fertility management and the
major factors affecting it.. The data to be obtained in this study can be used by farmers and
agricultural experts as well school administration as a tool that enable them make better
decision while designing curriculum. Furthermore, this research can be utilized as baseline in
future related researches. It may help the researcher to improve his/her own skills as well as
professional abilities. Also it is important to help for the future written research.

1.5. Hypothesis
Farmers have a gap on soil fertility management activities on the study area
 CHAPTER TWO

Review of related literature

Soil Fertility Management Practices Tillage Practices: Farmers used oxen to pull the local
plough 'Maresha'. Most of the farmers in the highland areas cultivate their land 4-5 times before
planting cereals. They argue that increasing the frequency of tillage is the way of improving soil
productivity. On the other hand, pulses are planted on marginal lands or with minimum

tillage (often ploughed once). They claimed that increasing frequency of tillage for these crops
could result in lodging and ultimately lower yield. Though, there are two cropping seasons, only
few farmers cultivate the same piece of land for both seasons. Instead, they divided their land
into 'Bona' cropping and 'Ganna' cropping land. The main reasons raised by farmers for not using
the land for both seasons were shortage of time for land preparation after crop harvest and fear of
soil fertility depletion as a result of double cropping.

Crop Residues: Farmers of the study area are well aware

of the advantage of returning crop residues to soil fertility. The practice of decomposing crop
residues in situ is locally termed 'Shemsu' (meaning decomposition). Farmers also understood
that if crop residues are not well decomposed before planting, it could compete for nutrient and
burn (to mean stunt the growth) the crop. But, only few farmers around 12% retain most crop
residues in their field. This is because crop residues are

used as construction material, fuel and source of animal

feed.

Crop Rotation: Majority of the farmers practice

monocropping of cereals (wheat/barley). The easy to

mechanization nature of wheat and barley have a major

contribution to monocropping of cereals. Lack of crop rotation resulted in the development and
build up of rusts,
which is the major bottleneck for crop production. The

major practice followed by farmers in this area is to rotate

barley and wheat on the same piece of land. However, few farmers in some part of the highland
rotated cereals with lentil, field pea, faba bean and linseed. This accounts around 74%. Instead,
farmers in this region apply low rate of fertilizer as precursors are legumes.

Mineral Fertilizers: Farmers used low rate of mineral

fertilizers due to the current escalating prices of chemical

fertilizers. 87% farmers apply only 50 kg DAP/ha for

cereals. This rate is by far lower than the blanket

recommendation (100 kg DAP and 50 kg Urea) for the area.

Some farmers dress the seeds with fertilizer solutions,

difficult with broadcasting. The use of urea fertilizer is

very rare and insignificant. Farmers reported that urea

fertilizer is necessary only for 'Koticha (Guracha)' soil.

This could be due to loss of nitrogen in this soil due to

leaching and denitrification, as the soil is often

waterlogged.

Fallowing: The study clearly depicted due to the ever increasing population pressure, long term
fallowing iscurrently abandoned in the study area. But, farmers know the benefit of fallowing to
restore soil fertility. Currently, the common practice in the area is seasonal fallowing i.e.

leaving the land fallow for one or two seasons. This is however, short period for restoration of
soil fertility.

Allan [27] believes that the fallow period should not be less than eight years on the best soils.
Mansfield [28] on the other hand, claims that the required fallow period

since uniform distribution of this low rate of fertilizer is

for the soil recovery is about 15-20 years.

 CHAPTER THREE

MATERIALS AND METHODS

3.1. Description of study area

3.1.1. Location of the area

The study was carried in one of sub districts of the Eastern Zone of Tigray in Woreda Ganta
Afeshum in Azeb Tabia, which his situated at about 120km North of Mekelle. Azeba Tabia is
surrounded by Adigrat to the North, Hawzen to the South, Saesi Tsaida Imba to the East and
Adiahferm to the West. The site is interesting in terms of observable factor affecting the soil
fertility management activities.

3.1.2. Topography and soil

The topography generally varies and the locality is closer to the mountain ranges. The overall
site of Tabia Azeb is 1522ha. From this 850ha is area farmland, 769ha is area closer and 53ha
grazing land. The types of soils are rock and shallow low infertility and highly degraded.

3.1.3. Vegetation cover

The Eastern zone is worst than other zone and the most deprived part of the region and almost
devoid of any vegetation cover. Climate and population pressure are considered the major
factors influencing the natural vegetation cover. The only ruminant forests are found around in
the surrounding of the church. One example is acacia, saligan, olea europea, eucalyptus
globules and different bushes.

3.1.4. Population

The total population of the Tabia is 7,232. Out of this 3,150 are males and 4,082 are females.
The total household of the Tabia is 1,450. Out of this 763 are males and 687 are females
(Tabia administration and health post)

3.2. Climate condition

Climate condition of the study site varies according to the agro ecological condition. That is
attitude of temperature and amount of rainfall. The average attitude of the Tabia is 2000-
2500masl.
3.2.1. Rainfall

The main rain season is occurs simmer in the months of June, July and August. But this is
immoderate rain fall. Most of time started late and its stops early. This is not sufficient to crop
production. The total annual rainfall ranges from 400-600mm.

3.2.2. Temperature

The higher attitude has cooler than the lower altitude and generally its average annual
temperature varies from 22-250C.

3.3. Method of Data Collection

In order to get the required information both primary and secondary data will be used for the
study.

A. Primary data were collected directly from the households through questionnaires.
B. Secondary sources of data were collected from agricultural and rural development office
in Gantafeshum Woreda as well as from reference books concerning soil fertility
management activities.

3.4. Sampling decision and sample size

The sample size will depend on the existing households in study area Tabia Azeba.
According to Belle (2008) the sample size must be an optimal size; that it should not be
either too large or too small. And the sample size should be based on the rule thumb for
easily determining the representativeness of the research sample.

Hence the researcher will take 30 households (2%) as sample size for the study out of
total 1450 households in the study area.

Considering the time and resources allocated for the study, simple random sampling will
be applied in which each farmer will be chosen randomly and entirely by chance.

3.5. Methods of Data Analysis

The data that gathered from questionnaire were analyzed, interpreted and presented in the
form of table and percent as necessary.
3.6. Ethical Consideration
To conduct this study, the researcher put the following activities in consideration: Kept
the willingness and the right of the participant, and gave them freedom to write what they
want based on the questions.
 Results and temperature
4.1. Mechanisms used by local communities to improve the soil fertility
status of their agricultural land
The most common mechanisms used by local communities to improve the soil fertility include
using compost, fertilizer,. From the sample, the number of farmers using those mechanisms is
shown in the table below.

Table 1: Mechanisms used by the farmers

Mechanism Frequency Percentage (%)

Using compost 6 18.57
Using fertilizer 3 11.43
Crop Rotation, 3 8.57
Afforestation 5 17.14
Keeping the soil eroding by terracing 8 27.14
Mulching 5 17.14
Total 30 100
27.14 of the farmers suggested that keeping the soil from eroding by constructing terrace can
keep their land fertile, 18.57% by using compost of animal land and plant remains, 17.145 by
afforestation of trees that come from nursery site and 12.85% by using chemical, natural and
organic fertilizer.

4.2. Major factors affecting the soil fertility management activities

The farmers pointed out that some major factors such as population growth, deforestauon,
overgrazing, soil erosion and had affected the land fertility. The responses of the households
regarding factors affecting the soil fertility management activities of their Ttabia are shown in
the table 2 below.

Table 2: Factors affecting the soil fertility

Mechanism Frequency Percentage (%)

population growth 5 15.71
deforestauon 6 21.43
overgrazing 4 12.86
soil erosion 8 27.14
urbanization 7 22.86
Total 30 100

Fertilization 23 10 32.86

Soil conversion 33 14 47.14

Environmental protection 14 6 20.00

Total 70 30 100.00

Compost 12 5 17.14

Chemical fertilizer (URA and

DAP) 22 9 31.43

Both 36 15 51.43

Total 70 30 100.00
 REFERENCES
1. Asgelil Dibabe, 2000. Effect of fertilizer on the yield and nodulation pattern of Faba bean
on a Nitosol of Adet North Western Ethiopia. Ethiopian J. Natural Resources, 2: 237-244.
2. Donovan, G., and Casey, F. 1998. Soil fertility management in Sub-Saharan Africa. World
Bank Technical Paper No. 408. World Bank. Washington, D.C.
3. International Food Policy Research Institute (2010). Fertilizer and soil fertility potential
in Ethiopia: constraints and opportunities for enhancing the system, Washington:
International Food Policy Research Institute
4. Lal, R., 1989. Land Degradation and Its Impact on Food and Other Resources; Food and
Natural Resources, pp: 85-140.
5. Mwangi, W.M. 1997. Low use of fertilizers and low productivity in sub-Saharan Africa.
Nutrient Cycling Agro-forestry Systems 47: 135-147.
6. Shepherd, K.D. and M.J. Soule, 1998. Soil fertility management in West Kenya: Dynamic
simulation of productivity, profitability and sustainability at different resources
endowment levels. Agric. Ecosystems, Environment, 71: 133-147.
7. Vanlauwe, B. (2010). Integrated soil fertility management: operational definition and
consequences for implementation and dissemination