Farmers’ Attitude toward the Soil Conservation Practices in the Kushk-Abad Catchment Basins in the Province of Khorasan Razavi, Iran

The purpose of this study is to assess farmers’ attitude toward the soil conservation practices in the Kushk-Abad Basin (KAB) in the province of Khorasan Razavi, Iran. The statistical population of this study consisted of all the heads of households of Kardeh villages (N=420). According to Kerjicie & Morgan Table, a sample of 200 person was selected using a method of simple random sampling. Data were collected from face-to-face interviews with respondents based on a structured questionnaire in 2014. A panel of experts established the validity of the questionnaire. A pilot study was conducted to establish reliability of the questionnaire. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was used for the main scale of questionnaire, which scored more than 0.71, confirming its appropriate reliability. Collected data were analyzed using the SPSS18 software. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics such as extent of mean, standard deviation, coefficient of variation, correlation analysis. In fact, this research was designed to assess relationship between attitude toward Soil Conservation Practics (SCP) and the level of participation in SCP in Iran. Data for this research collected through personal interviews from three villages in Kushk-Abad sub basin in Iran. Findings in the study indicated that a majority of the farmers have positive attitude toward adaption of SCP. The results revealed that the level of the participation of SCP is moderate and there is a significant correlation between attitude toward SCP and participation in SCP. However based on the findings, the level of economical participation of people are the more than social and environmental participation.