Farmers' Perception of Soil Erosion in Elfeta District, Ethiopia

Soil is the living outer layer of our planet, a basic natural and non-renewable resource which serves as a medium for plant growth and a habitat where animals and other micro-organisms live. Soil erosion is the process by which soil are detached from their original sites, transported, and then eventually deposited at some new areas. Although the soil has evolved through millions of years of weathering and is sustaining various forms of terrestrial life, its management has become an essential component of strategy for sustenance of ever-increasing population and development pressure (NAAS, 2012). Soil erosion is one of the major causes of land degradation and results in reduction of agricultural production and productivity in Ethiopia. Although it is a natural process, its rate has increased significantly due to anthropogenic activities.