**5. Landscape management in focus**

In colonial times, the British Government worked on natural resource management as interest was high in expanding commercial farming enterprises. The practices were often implemented without consideration of the natural schemes used by local people to protect their soils from erosion and fertility declines. Trees were exploited without ecological considerations and conservation approach was a topdown type. Most farmers quickly abandoned such conservation model. However with increasing resource demands, most farmers are presently using unsustainable farm practices. As such, soil erosion occurrence is exacerbated. However, little study has attempted to understand occurrence of erosion in farmer's field yet sheet erosion, rills and gullies occur there. Local people with experience have recognized the peculiarity of their soils and adopted practices that are suited to their soils. The practices identified include; ditches, water harvesting 'umi', ridging, agroforestry, manure application, mulching, soil stabilizing stones, multiple cropping and embankments. Others are fallowing, conservation tillage etc.
