Farmers' Soil–Water Management Practices and Perspectives on Soil Salinization in Mirab Abaya District, Gamo Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

ABSTRACT Soil salinization is a critical threat, impacting 20% of the world's irrigated lands and jeopardizing food security. In Ethiopia's Mirab Abaya district of the Gamo Zone, unsustainable irrigation methods exacerbate this issue. This paper examines local farmers' soil–water management systems and their awareness of salinization, aiming to educate them on effective mitigation strategies. Using a combination of quantitative and qualitative methods, structured questionnaires and interviews were conducted with a stratified sample. The results indicate that, based on farmers' perceptions, salinity affects 61% of farmland (40% high and 21% moderate severity), leading to significant reductions in yields and incomes. While most farmers recognize salinity symptoms, few understand its causes and controls. Years in horticulture had a positive correlation with signs of salinization (χ 2 = 54.798, p < 0.001), and smaller size of plots managed by older farmers (χ 2 = 14.531, p < 0.05) and a lower severity of salinity (χ 2 = 6.257, p < 0.05) were observed. Despite 48% using improved drainage and 16% applying proper irrigation, 97% do not treat their water, increasing salinity risks ( p < 0.01). The paper emphasizes the need for specialized training, resource availability and incorporating farmer perspectives to develop sustainable strategies for salinized agricultural areas.