Assessment of Micro-Structures Technology Adoption for Erosion Control in Chakwal, Punjab-Pakistan

Assessment of Micro-Structures Technology Adoption

Abstract

Soil erosion is a serious environmental problem in the regions of Pothwar Plateau, Pakistan. Therefore, to solve this severe issue, Soil & Water Conservation Research Institute (SAWCRI), Chakwal demonstrated microstructures to the farmers in several erosion-affected villages of Chakwal district under the research and development project “Pakistan Water Dialogue-Diffusion and Adoption through Partnerships and Action of the Best Watershed Rehabilitation and Irrigation Practices and Technologies to Help Rural Farmers” funded by USDA/ICARDA. Microstructures are low-cost structures that are designed to control soil un-natural slopes and ensuring slopes that can be washed away by heavy rainfall. The main purpose of this study was to evaluate the adoption of micro-structures and socio-economic factors affecting its adoption in the study area. Primary data was collected with the help of a questionnaire through a household survey. In total, 22 farmers were interviewed who have adopted the microstructure technology after the project interventions. The study findings revealed that the educated and relatively large land-owners are more interested in adopting this technology. The majority (66.8%) of the respondents recommended using stones as micro-structures material as they consider it most favorable to control soil erosion in the study area. Similarly, the material available for the micro-structure was not a big issue, but high transportation cost was a major concern. The micro-structure technology was not widely accepted because crop cultivation is not practiced on modern lines due to low crop productivity and the poor socio-economic status of the farmers. Another important reason for the low adoption was the time lag between investment and financial benefits from this technology as perceived by the farmers. Therefore, to improve the adoption of micro-structures technology, more awareness about its benefits, and financial assistance in the form of subsidy is needed.