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Maize Farmers' Adoption of Sustainable Soil Conservation Practices in Paklay District, Sayabouly Province, Lao PDR
Thesis Abstract:
Intensive crop production without soil managements and soil fertility improvements cause soil degradation, especially in steeply sloping areas. Farmers should have knowledge; and perception influences the adoption of sustainable soil conservation practices (SSCP).
The study aimed to (1) examine the current SSCP of farmers, (2) assess the farmers’ knowledge and perceptions of SSCP, and (3) investigate the factors affecting the farmers’ adoption of SSCP in maize production.
Data were gathered from questionnaires and interviews of 161 households in three villages (Palay, Boumlao-Phakeo, and Senphon). Moreover, focus group discussions were organized to investigate key factor that influences adoption. The statistical analysis was explained by descriptive statistics such as frequency, percentage, and average, which were used to analyze factors affecting farmers’ adoption of SSCP.
The results revealed that 73 percent of the sampled farmers practiced SSCP. Under this group of farmers, those who practiced intercropping, crop residue management, crop rotation conservation tillage, and use of organic fertilizer were 100 percent, 60 percent, 12 percent, 12 percent, and three percent, respectively. The results of farmers’ knowledge levels showed that farmers with high, medium, and low level of knowledge of SSCP were 63 percent, 32 percent, and five percent, respectively. Moreover, farmers with high and medium levels of knowledge knew about the advantages and disadvantages, as well as the technical practices of SSCP. Farmers with low level of knowledge also knew about the advantages and disadvantages of SSCP but lacked awareness on practical knowledge of SSCP. Regarding the perception of the farmers with high level of perception, 18 percent strongly agreed, 43 percent agreed, 14 percent were neutral, 22 percent disagreed, and three percent strongly disagreed. Even though the perceptions of the maize farmers in these study areas were high, it showed that the take-up rate for SSCP practices was low.
Factors affecting the farmers’ adoption of SSCP were analyzed by using the order logit regression model. The levels of farmers’ adoption were categorized through practices and management of SSCP, which increased or decreased the level of farmers’ adoption from their mean value. The results showed that positive factors influenced the levels of farmers’ adoption. It showed 48 percent of probability that the farmers’ perceptions would have an effect on adoption level, two percent for the age of the household key informant, six percent for the farmers’ knowledge, one percent for the slope of land, and one percent for the size of the maize area.
Negative factors influenced the levels of farmers’ adoption with four percent probability that farm experience would have an effect on adoption level. These factors were significant at one percent and five percent levels, while others were found non- significantly different. These results revealed that farmers with high adoption level of SSCP were likely to apply both practices and management of SSCP. On the other hand, farmers with more experiences were unlikely to apply methods of SSCP, while the less experienced were likely to apply only practices of SSCP. The increasing level of knowledge and perceptions of farmers were important factors in improving the level of farmers’ adoption of SSCP.
The study suggested to increase the adoption level of SSCP. It needs support and promotion from the government, nongovernment organizations (NGOs), and other organizations. Further distribution of knowledge and perception of the techniques of SSCP would help to promote sustainable soil management in highland maize farming in Lao PDR. Therefore, increasing the level of farmers’ adoption of SSCP suggests that changing farmers’ attitude is the better way to change them. Applying the practices and management of SSCP provides easily adopted SSCP technique.