Participatory evaluation and demonstration of grass strips and tied ridge as soil and water conservation measures for rehabilitation of degraded farmlands in Dollo Schem, Kamba District, South Ethiopia

Soil erosion, a result of land deterioration, is the main environmental issue. This study was demonstrated grass strips and tied ridge as soil and water Conservation measures for rehabilitation of degraded farmlands in Dollo Schem, Kamba district, and South Ethiopia. Six (6) adjacent trials farmers were participated directly on the demonstration. The study result shows that there was significant difference (P < 0.05) between treatments. When compared to sole maize, grass strip with maize, tied ridge with Maize (Zea Mays L.) and integrated grass strip with tied ridge were produced higher grain yields and also it has 33.14% of yield advantage over sole maize. The study result also indicates that, biomass result from harvested Elephant grass has an improvement with each harvesting cycle. Based on the result this study concluded Elephant grass strip with tied ridge has an effect on maintaining soil moisture, trials farmers have benefited economically having access to more feed for their animals by cut and carry arrangement. Accordingly the farmer’s first preference was implementing grass strip on their farm land by evaluating it with different criteria’s. Based on the results, the study advice planting Maize while incorporating biological soil amendments and used tied ridge to improve yields. The investigation must be completed for more than one year in the future. Because the effect of grass strip and tied ridge is observed after some years of grass stabilize.