Abstract
<title>Abstract</title> <p> <italic>This study aimed to to examine the status and practice of integrated indigenous and introduced soil management strategies in Sayo District, Kellem Wollega Zone, Oromia. A cross-sectional design with stratified random sampling selected 370 rural households for demographic and geographic representation. Qualitative data were gathered through focus group discussions and key informant interviews, and filed observation supported by secondary sources including government reports, state policies and development strategies on soil management practices. Findings indicate that all the traditional, modern and integrated soil management practices were in-place . Empirical evidences reveal that the most widely practiced traditional soilmanagement techniques across the three rural villages under investigation include crop rotation (95.9%), intercropping (95.7%), agroforestry (74.9%), farmyard manure application (68.1%), and compost use (56.5%). furthermore, the most prevalent and widely adopted modern practice of soil managment is the application of chemical fertilizers. It implied that modern soil management practices play a dual role in improving farm productivity and promoting environmental sustainability. The finding also revealed that among the integrated soil management practices, the combination of manure and chemical fertilizer is the most widely adopted practice, with 94.6% of respondents reporting its use. This high level of adoption reflects farmers’ recognition of the complementary roles of organic and inorganic inputs in improving soil fertility. A comparison across types of soil management and yield obtained result shown that across all crop types, the highest mean yields are consistently recorded under integrated soil management practices, followed by modern practices, while the lowest yields are observed under traditional practices. Therefore, the research result indicated that The results imply that policies and development interventions should prioritize the promotion and scaling-up of integrated soil fertility management practices. Strengthening agricultural extension systems, improving farmers’ access to organic inputs such as manure and compost, and enhancing knowledge of conservation practices are essential steps toward increasing adoption. Furthermore, encouraging farmers to transition from traditional to integrated systems can significantly improve food security, increase farm income, and ensure environmental sustainability.</italic> </p>