Determinants of smallholder farmers’ soil acidity perceptions and management practices in the Akuma Watershed, Southwestern Ethiopia

Abstract

Soil acidity is a major constraint to agricultural productivity in the humid and sub-humid highlands of Ethiopia, where high rainfall, continuous cultivation, and nutrient depletion are commonly linked with land degradation. Despite the availability of soil acidity management practices such as lime application, organic amendments, and integrated soil fertility management, their adoption among smallholder farmers remains limited. This study analyzes the socio-economic and perception-based factors associated with farmers’ responses to soil acidity in the Akuma Watershed, Tocha District, Dawuro Zone, southwestern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional survey of 297 farm households was conducted using a multi-stage sampling technique. The dependent variable is farmers’ perception of soil acidity, defined as a binary outcome (1 = perceives soil acidity as a problem, 0 = otherwise). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and a binary logistic regression model. The results indicate that farmers’ perception of soil acidity is significantly associated with socio-demographic characteristics and farming practices. Gender (OR = 6.70; 95% CI 2.59–17.33), age (OR = 7.00; 95% CI 2.68–18.28), and education level (OR = 5.18; 95% CI 2.89–9.29) show positive associations with the likelihood of perceiving soil acidity. Similarly, farming practices such as continuous cultivation and residue removal, as well as observable indicators including soil erosion and reduced soil fertility, are positively associated with perception. However, the adoption of key soil acidity management practices remains low, with fewer than one-third of farmers applying lime, organic inputs, or integrated soil management approaches. The findings highlight a gap between farmers’ awareness of soil acidity and the implementation of effective management strategies. The study emphasizes the need for context-specific interventions that strengthen extension services, improve access to inputs, and integrate farmers’ experiential knowledge with scientific soil management practices to enhance sustainable agricultural productivity.