Abstract:
This study was conducted in two gewogs (blocks) of Jarey and Thangrong under Lhuentse and
Mongar districts in Eastern Bhutan to assess the farmer’s perception on the soil erosion, its
causes, and adoption of Sustainable Land Management (SLM) practices. A total of 47 and 90
respondents from Jarey and Thangrong respectively who participated in the implementation of
SLM measures were interviewed. Field observations were made where necessary. Data was
analyzed using descriptive and chi-square test at significance level of p<0.05 and presented in
tabular or graphical representations. The study revealed that farmers have a good knowledge on
identifying the indicators, causes, severity of soil erosion including positive impact from
implementation of SLM measures. A significantly high proportion of farmers in Jarey (97.87%)
and Thangrong (92.22%) perceived washing down of soil during rainy season as main indicator
of soil erosion. Similarly, significant proportion of the respondents (95.74% and 93.33%) from
two gewogs indicated heavy rain as main cause of soil erosion besides cultivation on the steep
slope (91.49% and 90%). Further, 76% and 56% of the respondents in Jarey and Thangrong
respectively perceived high soil erosion, whereas only 15.89% and 15.56% have witnessed low
rate of soil erosion. Significantly higher proportion of respondents in Jarey (85.11%) and
Thangrong (90%) observed reduced soil erosion after implementing the SLM measures. About
29.79% of farmers in Jarey faced labor shortage while 38.89% of farmers in Thangrong
perceived no immediate benefit from SLM measures. High proportion of farmers in Jarey
(96.25%) indicated the need of financial support from government and 95.64% of respondents in
Thangrong expressed the financial and short-term interventions (seed and seedlings) assistance
for scaling out SLM in future. This study recommends community consultation through
participatory approach to raise awareness and design appropriate SLM interventions based on local context and also taking into account incentive package to address short term livelihood
needs of the farmers, which otherwise is difficult to achieve due to long gestation period of SLM
interventions. |
