Soil erosion vulnerability and adaptation strategies in maize field of Sindhukhola sub-watershed region, Nepal

Abstract

Erosion is a major concern of hill maize farming system. Watersheds with steep slope and fragile land are more prone to erosion. A perception based semi structured questionnaire survey was carried out in Thakani and Sindhukot of Melamchi municipality in Sindhupalchowk district to study relationships of erosion in maize field along with assessment of vulnerability and factors affecting adoption of prevention measures. Index ranking method and descriptive statistics were used to rank the perception of farmers pertaining to occurrence, causes and available control measures of erosion. Logit regression further assessed the determinants of adoption of erosion prevention measures where as vulnerability was assessed using integrated vulnerability assessment approach following Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) guideline. Most of the surveyed farmers responded heavy rainfall as major cause of the erosion followed by weak geography whereas the intensity of erosion was moderately increasing. Majority of the respondents (72.5%) have not adopted any erosion prevention measures mainly due to no support from government and low income. Among various adaptation measures, most of the farmers have shifted cultivation time, improved drainage system and decreased weeding frequency. The logit regression showed that among the independent variables, income, education, gender, access to extension services and involvement in organizations are positively significant to the adoption decision. This implies farmers in prone area need support from government to adopt prevention measures. Low income household dependent on agriculture and marginal farmers were more vulnerable to erosion as they have low adaptive capacity and resilience power.