Demonstration of maize and noug cake mixture supplementation for women focused small scale sheep fattening in Yilmana Denssa District

The study was conducted at Yilmana Denssa district where there is huge population of sheep and traditional sheep fattening is practiced. Six women famers were participating for the trail. Each woman was supposed to purchase three yearling male rams. A total of 18 yearling Washera sheep were used for this research. Experimented sheep were feeding 400 g concentrate /head/day, which is composed of 24.75% maize, 74.25% Nouge cake and 1% salt before and after grazing for three month along with 5 h of grazing time per day. The economic benefit was estimated using partial budget analysis while the collected data was analyzed using SPSS software virsion16. Grazing supplemented with 400 g concentrate increases the average weight of the sheep from 26.88 kg to 33.56 kg. The variation of body weight gain before and after the experiment was statistically significant (p<0.01). The average daily weight gain was 80.52 g (it ranges from 21.69 to 125.30 g). Partial budget analysis indicated that fattening of sheep using 400 g nouge cake and maize mixed supplementation was economical with gross profit of 1741.81ETB. The economic analysis also showed that the average gross profit from fattening of one sheep is 96.74 ETB. Farmers and technical experts also appreciate this sheep fattening technology. So it is recommended that the extension wing should scale up this fattening technology to the potential areas targeting religious festivals as their main market

Yield response of tef (Eragrostis tef) to nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium and sulphur under balanced fertilization on Vertisols in different agroecological zones of Ethiopia

Nutrient deficiency is a major constraint in tef (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) production in Ethiopia. In the past, a blanket recommendation of nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) fertilizers has been applied regardless of the diversity of agroecological zones and soil types. As crop responses declined with widespread deficiencies of nutrients, farmers have lost interest in applying the recommended fertilizer rates. The present study was conducted with the objective of quantifying the response of tef to different rates of N, P, potassium (K) and sulphur (S) fertilizers under balanced application of the nutrients other than the one under investigation. In each region, the same set of trials was implemented on farmers’ fields for three years. All trials were implemented on Vertisols across four agroecological zones (AEZs). The treatments were seven rates of N, six rates each of P and S and eight rates of K with a basal application of zinc (Zn) and boron (B). The results showed that the most limiting nutrient is N followed by P in each agroecological zone on the Vertisols. There was clear evidence of increases in grain yield with increasing rates of N and P, but the responses to K and S rates did not follow clear trends across AEZs. With balanced application of the other nutrients, 23–92 kg N ha−1 increased grain yield by 11–92%, while 10–40 kg P ha−1 increased yields by 12–33% over the control in the different AEZs. Based on results from dose–response models, it is concluded that the agronomic optimum rates for tef production are 69 kg N, 20 kg P, 30 kg K and 10 kg S ha−1 in the cool sub-moist mid-highlands and the tepid sub-humid mid highlands; 92 kg N, 30 kg P, 15 kg K and 10 kg S ha−1 in tepid moist mid highlands but 69 kg N, 10 kg P, 15 kg K and 10 kg S ha−1 in the tepid sub-moist mid highlands. On Vertisols not covered by this study, these recommendations should be subject to appropriate soil and plant analysis. We also recommend further studies on the nutrient requirement of tef on other soil types and AEZs

Quantity Measurement Cost and Reliability of Cereal Commodity Trade: Evidence from Ethiopia

Measurement reliability is an undervalued aspect of local agricultural marketplace organizations. There are also gaps in identifying the extent of cereal commodity trade measurement costs. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to estimate the magnitude of cereals trade quantity measurement cost caused by instrument error and unreliability in the context of the local marketplace in Ethiopia. In this regard, a survey was conducted in six different districts’ marketplaces (n = 602) of Oromia regional state. In addition to administered structured questionnaires, site mass measurement calibration was employed. The survey data were analysed using an independent samples t-test, one sample t-test and analysis of variance. According to the findings, the actual value measurement means of the quantity of most local units of the farmers were greater than small traders. The independent t-test result indicated that the average values of the quantity of the majority of units of measurement between farmers and small traders were varied significantly. Estimated average measurement cost of the farmers and small trader which occurred due to measuring instruments’ error and unreliability were higher for a sack, bowl and glass units compared with other units of measurement. This study demonstrates that homogeneity in measurement, market regulatory policy and institutions that aid cereals trade have an indispensable role to reduce measurement costs thereby ensure equitable exchange

Addressing the Impact of Noncommunicable Diseases and Injuries (NCDIs) in Ethiopia: Findings and Recommendations from the Ethiopia NCDI Commission

BACKGROUND: Noncommunicable diseases and injuries (NCDIs) are the leading causes of premature mortality globally. Ethiopia is experiencing a rapid increase in NCDI burden. The Ethiopia NCDI Commission aimed to determine the burden of NCDIs, prioritize health sector interventions for NCDIs and estimate the cost and available fiscal-space for NCDI interventions. METHODS: We retrieved data on NCDI disease burden and concomitant risk factors from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) Study, complemented by systematic review of published literature from Ethiopia. Cost-effective interventions were identified through a structured priority-setting process and costed using the One Health tool. We conducted fiscal-space analysis to identify an affordable package of NCDI services in Ethiopia. RESULTS: We find that there is a large and diverse NCDI disease burden and their risk factors such as hypertension and diabetes (these conditions are NCDIs themselves and could be risk factors to other NCDIs), including less common but more severe NCDIs such as rheumatic heart disease and cancers in women. Mental, neurological, chronic respiratory and surgical conditions also contribute to a substantial proportion of NCDI disease burden in Ethiopia. Among an initial list of 235 interventions, the commission recommended 90 toppriority NCDI interventions (including essential surgery) for implementation. The additional annual cost for scaling up of these interventions was estimated at US$550m (about US$4.7 per capita). CONCLUSIONS: A targeted investment in cost-effective interventions could result in substantial reduction in premature mortality and may be within the projected fiscal space of Ethiopia. Innovative financing mechanisms, multi-sectoral governance, regional implementation, and an integrated service delivery approach mainly using primary health care are required to achieve these goals.publishedVersio