Soil erosion is a major problem in the Somali region, particularly in Shebele woreda, which has caused the formation of large gullies, sediments, depletion of water resources, deterioration of farming land, destruction of natural pastures, and diminishing. The study was mainly focused on the selected and introduced soil and water conservation practices that are more implemented by farmers, describing the livelihood and land resource status between adopters and non-adopters of soil and water conservation practices, and also to identify determinant factors for soil and water conservation practices adoption in the study area. Primary data collected through household questionnaire, focus group discussions, and key informants’ interviews. Secondary data were also collected from relevant sources. Data were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics. Purposive and stratified sampling techniques were used to collect the primary data. Shebele woreda was stratified into three strata, based on agro-ecology, i.e., highland, mid-altitude, and lowland. Then one kebele from each agro-ecology was purposively selected based on the intervention of soil and water conservation practices. The sample size was determined formula developed by Yemane 1997 and 193 households were selected. Binary probit models were utilized to analyze the factors influencing farmers’ decisions in implementing soil and water conservation practices. The findings of this study revealed that soil and water conservation practices have a significant role in improving the livelihood, land resource conservation, and contribution to environmental well-being. The findings of this study recommend that the dissemination of farm equipment or agricultural input to the farmers and strengthening the continuous work of land management practices and information about soil and water conservation practices should be addressed.

This study tried to assess agro-pastoral households’ poverty status in the Godey district, Shabelle Zone, Somali Regional State of Ethiopia, to improve the efficacy of poverty alleviation programs for development actors. Specifically, it sought to analyze the poverty status of agro-pastoral households in the Godey district and its determinants. To choose sample households, a two-stage random sampling approach was used. All the villages in the Godey district are enumerated in the first step, after which only agro-pastoral villages are specifically chosen. In the second phase, 144 sample houses were chosen at random using a proportionate to size. Descriptive statistics and the binary Logit model were used to analyze the data. The cost of basic needs method was used to estimate the poverty line, and accordingly, the total poverty line of the district was found to be 3,112.40 Birr. The headcount ratio of the sampled households, which implies the population of the district that lives below the poverty line, was found to be 37%. Similarly, the poverty gap of 9% and severity index were found 4% respectively. Results of logistic regression analysis reveal that nine explanatory variables are important in explaining poverty status of agro-pastoral households in the district. These are household size, dependency ratio, livestock owned, total income, farm size, sex of the household head, and the education level of the mother. Based on the results of the study, we recommend interventions such as the promotion of households’ access to assets and women’s education, improving livestock productivity, farm management, and developing a pro-poor marketing strategy and infrastructure.