Financial Repression - Economic Growth Nexus in Ethiopia: Evidence from Multivariate Analysis

This paper examines empirically the short run and long run relationships and the causality between financial repression proxies and economic growth, utilizing time series data over the period 1980 to 2015 in Ethiopia. Bound test of co integration and estimation of short run and long run relationships, based on ARDL model frame work and Toda Yammato causality test based on VAR model were employed.The ARDL bound test suggests that there is a long run relationship between financial repression proxies and economic growth. The long run estimates also suggest that there is a positive significant effect of financial repression proxies on economic growth. While in a short run there is statistically negative significant effect of financial repression proxies on economic growth but the magnitude is lower. Unidirectional and bi-directional causalities also found from financial repression proxies to economic growth. Keywords: Financial repression, economic growth, ARDL, Ethiopi

The Effect of Perceived Work Environment on Government Employees’ Motivation at Assosa Zone, Benishangul Gumuz Region, Ethiopia

The purpose of this study is to examine the effect of perceived work environment on employees motivation at Assosa Zone,Benishangul Gumuz Region, Ethiopia. The study encompasses all employees working in the thirty offices of Assosa Zona in zonal and wereda level. From work environment indicators physical work environment and psychosocial work environment was selected and their effect on employees motivation is checked. In order to test whether these variables determine the employees motivation, multiple regressions was employed which is feasible model when there is more than one independent variable. Lastly, it was found that all factors are most predicting in the employees motivation. All alternative hypotheses are accepted. Keywords: Employees’ motivation, Physical work environment, psychosocial work environment

The Prerequisites for Financial Repression and Financial Liberalization Policy

This paper examines theoretically the effect of financial policies on economic growth for four selected developing countries.  At the end of 1970s and in the beginning of 1980s these countries embarked on financial reform for a stability and growth purpose.This theoretical study suggests that both financial repression and financial liberalization policies provide the expected growth but it is subject to certain requirements. As a prerequisite, financial liberalization needs macroeconomic stability, institutions, political stability and, better supervision and regulation of the sector. And then after exercising liberalization increases efficiency of the sector. While financial repression needs benevolent dictator government, which is free from corruption and bribery and ultimately servant of the population. The lower real interest rate environment because of financial repression is the big opportunity to increase investment and economic growth. Otherwise, adopting both policies without fulfilling requirements provides instability and lower growth. Keywords: financial repression, financial liberalization, economic growt

Abomasal nematode parasites in goats slaughtered in Mekelle town, northern Ethiopia

Infection with abomasal nematodes, especially haemonchosis, is one of the most important problems challenging small ruminant production in the tropics. This study was carried out to identify nematodes infecting the abomasa, and estimate their prevalence and count in goats slaughtered in Mekelle town, northern Ethiopia. A total of 166 abomasa of goats were examined for postmortem differential adult nematode parasites count using standard procedure. Haemonchus spp. and Trichostrogylus axei were recovered from 126 (75.9%) and 109 (65.7%) abomasa, respectively. It was noted that 152 (91.6%) goats harbored at least one of the parasites, while 83 (50%) goats were found infected with both parasites. Mean and maximum adult worm counts were 39.2 and 270 and 55.2 and 600 for Haemonchus spp. and T. axei, respectively. Months of the year had significant (p<0.05) effect on prevalence and adult worm count in both species of parasites identified. The adult worm count and prevalence were relatively high in February for Haemonchus spp. and in December for T. axei. The high prevalence of these economically important parasites in goats in the dry season may entail insidious losses they could incur in the productivity of goats in the study area.Keywords: Abomasal nematodes; Ethiopia; Goat; Haemonchus; Trichostrogylus axe

Grain Yield Performance of Sorghum [Sorghum bicolor (L.) Moench] Genotypes and Correlation Analysis of Yield and Agronomic Traits in Ethiopia

A field experiment was conducted to evaluate sorghum genotypes at Fedis, Meiso, Kobo, Pawi and Humera with the objective of determining the yield performance and correlation status of yield and agronomic characteristics of released sorghum varieties. The materials used in the study consisted of eight sorghum genotypes representing the types widely grown in lowland areas. The treatments were laid out in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) and replicated three times. The combined analysis of variance revealed a significant variation among entries for most of the traits considered. From twelve characters the environment effect was highly significant for days to flowering and stand count at harvest and significant for days to maturity and thousand seed weight. Based on the mean performance of the genotypes Abishir, Gobye and Birhan gave higher mean grain yield of 2.85, 2.82 and 2.69tons ha-1 respectively and the lowest yield was obtained from N-13 and SRN-39 2.28 and 2.27tons ha-1 respectively. Grain yield was positively and significantly correlated with panicle weight and panicle exertion. Generally, this study showed the performance sorghum genotypes for their yield and correlation characteristics of traits across diverse lowland areas of Ethiopia. Keywords: combined, correlation, sorghum, yiel

Assessment Of Spatio-Temporal Changes Of Wetlands Using GIS And RS Techniques In Dawa Chefa Area In The Northern Central Ethiopian Highlands

Wetland resources play an important role in sustaining human, plant and animal life. They balance climatic and hydrology cycle to our environment. However, wetlands have been decreased both in time and space. This in turn narrowed the opportunities of wetland services. Thus, the study focused on assessment of the spatio-temporal change of wetlands and its socioeconomic effect in Northern Central Ethiopian highlands. Four sets of Landsat satellite imageries for the years of 1984, 1993, 2000 and 2013 were used to produce land cover maps and quantify the land use and land cover dynamics. Moreover; practical observation, structured questionnaire and focus group discussions were used to supplement remotely sensed satellite data. The qualitative data were then narrated. Unlike built up area expansion, grassland and farmland, the land use and land cover analysis showed that wetlands are reduced from the year 1984 to 2013. Overgrazing, water diversion for irrigated farm, waste dumping, and rapid population growth are the key driving forces of wetlands changes. Moreover, the study shows that wetland change brought social effect in the study area. In this regard, the shrinkage of the wetlands caused prevailing conflict between nomads and local farmers as both of them need wetland for different purposes. As they are more dependent on the wetland resources, the nomads were more resistant to the strategies of the government. The study also showed that wetland loss has controversial effects. In this respect when wetland loss increases swampy plants and animals also decreased and even later disappeared. Economically very important mangrove species started declining which directly affected the lives of nomads. Conversely, when wetland decreases, farmers encroach the wetlands for agricultural and grazing land due to the fact that it is very fertile and suitable for the application of modern irrigation. This is, however, at the expense of wetland loss. In conclusion, the study highlights that the wetland size has been decreased and brought ecological and socio-economic effect in the study area. Therefore, the government and other stakeholders should intervene by providing appropriate water management practices, awareness creation and family planning education to enhance sustainable land management and to meet the national and international interest linked to the Millennium Development Goals

Identification of Best Split Application Frequency and Timing of Nitrogen Fertilizer for Sorghum (Sorghum bicolor) in Eastern Amhara

Nitrogen is one of the growth limiting nutrients in agricultural production. Proper nitrogen application time and rates are critical to meet crop needs and indicate considerable opportunities for improving nitrogen use efficiency. Split-application of Nitrogen fertilizer experiment was conducted in major long mature sorghum varieties (Degalet & Jamyo) growing areas of Eastern Amhara for 2016/17 cropping season. The experiment was initiated to identify the appropriate time and frequency of N fertilizer application on grain yield of long mature sorghum. The experiment was designed in randomized complete block consisting of five Nitrogen fertilizer application times: (1) 1/2 at planting + 1/2 at knee height  stage, (2) 1/3  at planting + 1/3 at knee height stage + 1/3 at stem  elongation (3) 2/3 at  knee height + 1/3 at stem  elongation , (4) 1/3 at planting + 2/3 at knee height stage and (5) full recommended N at Knee height stage of the crop and replicated three times in each farmer’s field . The collected data were subjected to analysis of variance using SAS version 9.0. The Result showed that there was no statistical significance yield difference (p > 0.05) between treatments in both Raya Kobo and srinka for the two long maturity sorghum (degalet and jamyo) varieties. Keywords: Fertilizer, Nitrogen, Sorghum, Split application DOI: 10.7176/JEES/10-6-03 Publication date:June 30th 202

Measles outbreak in Simada District, South Gondar Zone, Amhara Region, May - June 2009: Immediate need for strengthened routine and supplemental immunization activities (SIAs)

Background: Recently measles outbreaks have been occurring in several areas of Ethiopia.Methods: Desk review of outbreak surveillance data was conducted to identify the susceptible subjects and highly affected groups of the community in Simada District, Amhara Region, May and June, 2009.Results: A total of 97 cases with 13 deaths (Case fatality Rate (CFR) of 13.4%) were reported delayed about 2 weeks. Cases ranged in of age range from 3 months to 79 years, with 43.3% aged 15 years and above; and high age specific attack rate in children under 5 and infants (p-value<0.0001).Conclusion and Recommendation: These findings indicate accumulation of susceptible children under 5 and a need to strengthen both routine and supplemental immunization activities (SIAs) and surveillance, with monitoring of accumulation of susceptible individuals to protect both target and non-target age groups. Surveillance should be extended to and owned by volunteer community health workers and the community, particularly in such remote areas

Prevalence of Salmonella Infection in Intensive Poultry Farms in Hawassa and Isolation of Salmonella species from sick and dead chickens

A bacteriological study of Salmonella Gallinarum/Pullorum was conducted in intensively managed chickens in Hawassa, Ethiopia between November 2008 and May 2009. The objectives of the study were to estimate the bacteriological prevalence of S. Gallinarum/Pullorum in apparently healthy chickens and to assess the proportional morbidity/mortality from S. Gallinarum/Pullorum in sick/dead chickens. Cloacal swabs were collected from a total of 380 randomly selected chickens from 3 poultry farms to estimate the prevalence, whereas necropsy samples of liver, spleen and ceca were collected from 31 sick/dead chickens to estimate the proportional morbidity/mortality. The prevalence of Salmonella infection (S. Gallinaum/Pullorum) was 0.8% (3/380), while isolation was possible from 16.1% (5/31) sick/dead chickens. Only S. Gallinarum was isolated from cloacal swabs. Of the 6 isolates obtained from necropsy samples 1 was S. Pullorum and the rest 5 S. Gallinarum; and, 3 were from liver, 2 from cecum and 1 from spleen. It is concluded that salmonellosis is prevalent and fowl typhoid and pullorum disease have significant role in morbidity and mortality of intensively managed chickens in Hawassa. This result may indicate the challenge that the poultry industry of the country may face from S. Gallinarum/Pullorum in the future in its intensification. Concerted efforts, therefore, should be made at national and local levels to control the diseases. Keywords ∙ Ethiopia ∙ Hawassa ∙ Isolation ∙ Prevalence ∙ Salmonella Gallinarum- Pulloru

Better potato for a better life: Reducing food insecurity and dependence on cereals in Amhara Oromia, Tigray and SNNP regions of Ethiopia

This flyer outlines the work done to achieve the goal of enhanced rural incomes, food security and nutrition in four regions of Ethiopia through resilient and profitable potato and sweetpotato value chains. It describes the successes of the first phase of the project (2010-2014) which led to the implementation of the second phase (2015-2016), as well as the progress made between June 2014 and July 2015 in implementing activities that are geared towards increasing access to quality disease-free seed, increasing productivity and revenue, and dietary diversity