Adoption Constraints for Soil Conservation Practices in Kyaukpadaung and Chaung U Townships, Dry Zone Region of Myanmar

Soil degradation problems in central dry zone (CDZ) of Myanmar are getting worse. If no proper soil conservation practices are practiced and enough measures are taken out the farmers have to leave their land. The problems are to be solved urgently and the farmers are very much in need for help. Vast majority of farmers in central dry zone of Myanmar are facing land degradation related poor productivity problems. Major causes of soil degradation are water erosion in the slops, continuous mono-cropping patterns for long term, converting Yar land into low land by pump irrigation projects, use of underground water for long time, and wind erosion in the study area. Furthermore, the salinization and/or alkalinization problems occur because of scarce rain and high evaporation. The study aims to understanding the constraints for adoption of soil conservation practices in the study area and to find out the constraints for adoption of soil conservation management. 65 respondents from Kain were, Kyauk Tagar, Medee and Kataw villages were selected in Kyaukpadaung Townhsip and 40 respondents from Taw Kyaung Gyi, Than Pin Kan, New Khway and Khin Mon village were selected in Chaung U Township for the study. About 29 percent of land were observed as degradated land. Water erosion shared 49 percent of total land degradation and which is followed by 18.3 percent of manmade problems or malpractices in farming, 15.1 percent of wind erosion, and 14 percent of salinity problem because of high temperature and scare rain. Among soil conservation practices, contouring and construction of stone wall were the most costly practices but the cost can be spread over several years that if is worth investing. Crop loss due to land degradation were estimated and it is assumed as the benefit of soil conservation, which means if the soil conservation practices are adopted the farmer will achieve the average yield from their farm. Amount of crop loss per acre ranges from 44-67 % in Kyaukpadaung Township and 29-70 % in Chaung U Township. The most binding constraints for adoption of soil conservation practices was not enough capital (65%) and followed by technological limitation problem by 16%. Therefore, the government should consider the aid or subsidy program for soil conservation and should strengthen knowledge extension program on soil conservation