Combining Land Capability
Evaluation, Geographic Information Systems, AnD Indigenous Technologies for Soil
Conservation in Northern Ethiopia
Belay Tegene
Abstract:
A framework for soil conservation planning is proposed by combining land
capability evaluation, geographic information systems (GIS), and indigenous
conservation technologies for use in the northern Ethiopian highlands. The
applicability of the framework was tested in a typical agricultural
micro-watershed, i.e., the Gido watershed of South Welo. Land capability and
land use status were established following the procedures of a modified
treatment-oriented capability classification using GIS. The case study
recommends contour-furrows and broad-based terraces on 40.67 per cent
(capability unit C1), broad- to narrow-based terraces on 17.57 per cent (C2-C4),
and intensive narrow-based to bench terraces on 31.95 per cent (C2/P & C3/P)
of the cultivated land. The rest of the cropland is not at all suitable for
annual cropping, and hence, should be put out of production. Where terraces are
recommended, acceptance by farmers is ensured not only by developing the
structures from indigenous technologies (i.e., ‘Weber’ and ‘Kab’ or ‘Kirit’),
but also by adopting various strategies to increase their economic advantages
and profitability.