Perceptions and adaptive responses to soil salinity in irrigated systems of the Abaya–Chamo Lakes Basin, Ethiopia
4 affiliations
- 1Department of Natural Resource Management, Arba Minch University, P.O. Box 21, Arba Minch, Ethiopia; Corresponding author.
- 2Department of Plant Sciences, Arba Minch University, P. O. Box 21, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
- 3Department of Natural Resource Management, Arba Minch University, P.O. Box 21, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
- 4Department of Horticulture, Arba Minch University, P. O. Box 21, Arba Minch, Ethiopia
Abstract
Soil salinization threatens agricultural sustainability, food security, and essential soil functions in arid and semi-arid regions, including Ethiopia's Abaya–Chamo Lakes Basin. This study assessed smallholder farmers' perceptions of soil salinity and their adaptive strategies within irrigated farming systems. A mixed-methods design was employed, drawing on household survey data from 380 farmers selected through multistage stratified random sampling across five purposively selected kebeles, complemented by key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques: descriptive statistics summarized household profiles, farm-level attributes, and socioeconomic conditions, while multinomial logistic regression identified the determinants of adaptation choices. Most farmers rated salinity severity as severe (98.9%) and chronic (50.5%), while technical awareness of salinity dynamics remained moderate (51.3%). Salinity moderately affected cultivated land for 53.9% of respondents and caused severe yield losses for 65.0% of farmers, particularly in banana (43.2%) and maize (33.9%) production systems. Farmers' vulnerability was compounded by heavy dependence on-farm income (47.9%) and limited livelihood diversification (81.6%). Dissatisfaction with institutional support for salinity management was widespread (91.9%), reflected in a low mean satisfaction score of 1.45. Farming experience, landholding size, labor availability, and income diversification significantly influenced adaptation and coping decisions. The findings reveal a capacity–vulnerability paradox, whereby better-resourced farmers adopt more advanced adaptation measures yet may still incur larger absolute income losses. Strengthening resilience in the study area therefore requires integrated interventions that combine technical salinity management, enhanced institutional support, and livelihood diversification.
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BibTeX
@article{apira2026perceptions,
title = {{Perceptions and adaptive responses to soil salinity in irrigated systems of the Abaya–Chamo Lakes Basin, Ethiopia}},
author = {Yohannes Golida Apira and Dereje Tsegaye Salfeko and Tizita Endale Elcho and Azmera Walche Mengesha},
journal = {Soil Security},
year = {2026},
month = oct,
doi = {10.1016/j.soisec.2026.100253},
url = {https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soisec.2026.100253},
note = {CC BY},
}
RIS
TY - JOUR
TI - Perceptions and adaptive responses to soil salinity in irrigated systems of the Abaya–Chamo Lakes Basin, Ethiopia
AU - Yohannes Golida Apira
AU - Dereje Tsegaye Salfeko
AU - Tizita Endale Elcho
AU - Azmera Walche Mengesha
PY - 2026
DA - 2026/10/30
JO - Soil Security
DO - 10.1016/j.soisec.2026.100253
UR - https://doi.org/10.1016/j.soisec.2026.100253
AB - Soil salinization threatens agricultural sustainability, food security, and essential soil functions in arid and semi-arid regions, including Ethiopia's Abaya–Chamo Lakes Basin. This study assessed smallholder farmers' perceptions of soil salinity and their adaptive strategies within irrigated farming systems. A mixed-methods design was employed, drawing on household survey data from 380 farmers selected through multistage stratified random sampling across five purposively selected kebeles, complemented by key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and field observations. Data were analyzed using both descriptive and inferential statistical techniques: descriptive statistics summarized household profiles, farm-level attributes, and socioeconomic conditions, while multinomial logistic regression identified the determinants of adaptation choices. Most farmers rated salinity severity as severe (98.9%) and chronic (50.5%), while technical awareness of salinity dynamics remained moderate (51.3%). Salinity moderately affected cultivated land for 53.9% of respondents and caused severe yield losses for 65.0% of farmers, particularly in banana (43.2%) and maize (33.9%) production systems. Farmers' vulnerability was compounded by heavy dependence on-farm income (47.9%) and limited livelihood diversification (81.6%). Dissatisfaction with institutional support for salinity management was widespread (91.9%), reflected in a low mean satisfaction score of 1.45. Farming experience, landholding size, labor availability, and income diversification significantly influenced adaptation and coping decisions. The findings reveal a capacity–vulnerability paradox, whereby better-resourced farmers adopt more advanced adaptation measures yet may still incur larger absolute income losses. Strengthening resilience in the study area therefore requires integrated interventions that combine technical salinity management, enhanced institutional support, and livelihood diversification.
SN - 2667-0062
ER -