Performance Efficiency Analysis of Livestock Marketing in Afar region, Ethiopia

This research examines the performance of livestock marketing in Afar region. Afar region is the least developed region characterized by recurrent drought, inadequate basic livestock market infrastructure and accessibility. The pastoralists are not benefited from the large livestock population they hold. The research is indebted to evaluate the livestock marketing system in identifying and measuring the livestock market structure, conduct and performance efficiency in order to support the livestock development intervention and policy decision. Primary and secondary data were used to the analysis. Data from primary source were collected by means of both traders’ survey and market survey. Traders’ survey was conducted in seven (Abaala, Ayssita, Chifra, Gewane, Sabure, Werer, and Yallo) markets of the region using structured interview schedule. The quantitative market data was also collected through intensive price monitoring at the four largest markets of the region (Ayssita, Chifra, Sabure, and Yallo) in the major trading days for two months. Market data collected by LINKS and ACDI/VOCA for the Year 2007 are the secondary sources. Sample markets were evaluated using market concentration ratio on the subject of the market structure; and the level of performance efficiency at all links of market chains are also analyzed with statistical analysis of multivariate correlation and marketing margin. Multiple regression technique was used in determining livestock price in relation to livestock breed, sex, age group, grade, number of buyers, number of sellers, number of intermediaries, and market places. The study result shows that the majority of the markets in the region are primary markets except Ayssita, Chifra, and Yallo. Both primary and secondary markets of the region have market chains with the border markets of Djibouti and terminal markets of the neighboring regions. Marketing facilities in the region is very poor characterized by inadequate basic market infrastructures and information system. Lack of demand, price instability, lack of working capital, and drought are the main problems of livestock trading in the region. The sample markets have an oligopsony market structure with higher wholesale buyers’ concentration; and they are also inefficient with higher marketing margins except Yallo market. Livestock price is significantly influenced by breeds, gender, age group, and grades of animals and the multivariate correlation result shows that markets are not integrated at all levels of livestock price movements. Livestock development projects are indispensable to solve the main marketing problems. Improving basic marketing facilities would improve the marketing system; and expansion of large and medium scale livestock product processing units also would create more livestock demand for pastoralists. For the most part, pastoralists association in the form of livestock marketing cooperatives would improve the pastoralists bargaining power and market efficiency by large

Assessment of Vaccination Coverage of Sheep and Goat using Retrospective Data in Woreda Raya Alamata

A retrospective study using data of the record of the veterinary clinic of Alamata Woreda with the objective of assessment vaccine coverage in the area was conducted from May to June 2014. The data indicated that there was vaccination program for ovine pasteurellosis, sheep and goat pox, pestides petites ruminits and anthrax. The vaccination coverage in the area was very minimal and did not cover the whole livestock population. This might be the reason for the re-occurrence of the disease in different years. Hence, use of high quality and effective vaccines to cover a large number of livestock is essential for the disease mitigation in the area.Keywords: Anthrax, Pasteurellosis, Pest ides petites ruminits, Pox vaccine, Alamata, Tigray, Ethiopia

The Aftermath of Human Trafficking in Ethiopia: Psycho-Social Impacts of Human Trafficking among North Wollo Victim Returnees from Arab nations

Human trafficking remains prime global concern due to its multifaceted causes and horrible consequences continue to be experienced by thousands of people including men, women and children in different parts of the world. Many lost their lives and others are living with post traumatic experiences associated with abuse and sufferings they experienced at the hand of their traffickers not only in the place of destination but also all along with illegal border crossings. This study examined the aftermath of human trafficking by scrutinizing the lived experience of Ethiopian migrants returned from Arab countries including their parents at home. A cross sectional study design was employed. Survey, in-depth interview, key informant interview and FGDs were data collection tools. Majority of the returnees (76%) in this study are women and 59 % of them were between the ages of 19 and 25. The study findings uncover the harrowing effect of human trafficking on the mental, emotional and physical wellbeing of men, women and children trapped in its network. Victims have suffered from a range of physical and psychological health issues stemming from abusive living and working condition, and brutal physical and emotional attacks in the hands of traffickers. After coming back home, victims have continued to experience as equal pain as they have once suffered while they were under their proprietor’s control as the psychological trauma of abuse and exploitation keep them hunting until now. The outcome of human trafficking transcends beyond the victim themselves to their families in different ways. Besides the financial risk of sending their children hoping more money in the near future, migrant families may also suffer from the worst scenario. This happened when migrants, after years of abuse and exploitation, return to home with physical injuries and various psychosocial problems which adversely affects the survival of the entire family. Keywords: Aftermath of trafficking, trafficking victims, physical abuse, returnees, Ethiopian migrant

Corruption and Human Rights: Exploring the Relationships

Corruption is a global phenomenon which every society faces though its degree of severity varies from country to country. Despite its long history, there is no single universally agreed upon definition of corruption. Moreover, its causes, forms and impacts are diverse and multi-faceted. Understanding corruption by itself is a complex undertaking. However, it is agreed that corruption is inimical to public administration, undermines democracy, degrades the moral fabrics of the society and violates human rights. The pain of corruption touches all the human family but it disproportionately affects the vulnerable sections of the society. It reinforces discrimination, exclusion and arbitrariness. Corruption is a universal problem undermining universal value- human rights. However, on the contrary, guarantying human rights in general and ensuring non-discrimination and participation in particular are useful preventive tools for corruption as they ultimately empower the society and create social accountability. The article explores the relationships between corruption and human rights. It is argued that, the struggle to promote human rights and the campaign against corruption share a great deal of common ground. Both are struggling for the orderly and decent life of humans rooted in dignity and equality. The article concludes the discussion by asserting that an integral approach is essential to overcome the problems of corruption and the violations of human rights

The Ruthless Side of Human Trafficking in Ethiopia: Returnees Recounting Their Experience of Abuse and Exlpoitation in the Arab Countries

Human trafficking remains a prime global concern due to its multifaceted causes and horrible consequences continue to be experienced by thousands of people including men, women and children ensnared in its web. Many lost their lives and others are living with post traumatic experiences associated with abuse and sufferings they experienced at the hand of their trafficker not only in the place of destination but also all along with illegal border crossings. The main focus of this study was to explore the dark side of human trafficking by examining experience of abuse faced by Ethiopian migrants returned from Arab countries. A cross sectional study design was employed. Survey, in-depth interview, key informant interview and FGDs were data collection tools. The finding of the study reveals that human trafficking from the study area is undertaken within the broader frame work of labor migration. The fact that trafficking is disguised with Voluntary labor migration enables traffickers to trap those individuals who are already motivated to migrate abroad for better paying job. Majority of the respondents (74%) in this study are women and 59 % of victim were between the ages of 19 and 25. The study also uncovers the harrowing effect of human trafficking on the mental, emotional and physical wellbeing of men, women and children ensnared in its web. Victims suffer from a range of physical and psychological health issues stemming from inhumane living conditions, abusive working condition, brutal physical and emotional attacks at the hands of traffickers and general lack of quality health care. Keywords: human trafficking, abuse, returnees, Ethiopian migrants, Arab countrie

Impact of Teff Row Planting Technology Adoption on Smallholder Farmers’ Yield: The Case of Banja District, Awi Zone, Amhara Region Ethiopia

Agricultural intensification is presumed to be a necessary pre-condition for the development of the agricultural sector in Ethiopia in general and in Awi zone particularly. In this regard, various governmental and non-governmental organizations (NGOs) initiated agricultural technology schemes specifically row planting throughout the country including the Amhara region. Despite these efforts, however, smallholder farmers in the study area are found to be reluctant to adopt or practice row planting methods of sowing. Therefore, this study assesses the impact of teff row planting technology adoption on smallholder farmers’ yield: the case of Banja District, Awi Zone, Ethiopia. Three stage sampling procedure was employed in the selection of sample respondents. Results are based on data collected from a sample of 120 selected rural farm households. Descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression and PSM were used to estimate the determinants of row planting technology adoption and to estimate impact on teff yield. The logit result revealed that out of eleven explanatory variables used in the model four variables are statistically significant. These variables are age of household head, education level of household head, access to credit usage and participation in the off- farm activity. Of which significant variables only age of household head has negatively affects technology adoption the rest three have positively influences row planting technology adoption. Finally, the average treatment effect on the treated (ATT) estimated result obtained using PSM method has proven that technology adopters (treated) get 5.25 quintal of teff yield per hectare in a single production year than non-adopters (controls) but labor cost is the same in both cases. Therefore, both governmental and non-governmental organization interventions should include strategies on how to enhance the participation of households to row planting activity to meet the high demand of teff for this rapidly increased population in the country. Keywords: Adoption, Banja, Impact, Row planting, Smallholder farmer, Technology DOI: 10.7176/JESD/14-1-01 Publication date: January 31st 202