Reproductive traits in Ethiopian male goats

This thesis characterizes reproductive traits of Ethiopian male goats raised under extensive husbandry and subjected to differential nutritional management. A total of 177 extensively-managed indigenous bucks of 5 breeds (i.e., Arsi–Bale [AB], Central Highlands [CH], Afar, Boran and Woito-Guji [WG]) were selected following stratified random sampling.The bucks were compared according to three age classes (<14 mo [young], 14–19.5 mo [intermediate] and 19.6–24 mo [old]) to determine whether breed and age influenced body size, testicular traits and epididymal sperm morphology. Bucks of a single goat breed (Ogaden; n= 35), selected by simple random sampling, were used to determine responses to differential nutritional treatments. Dietary treatments consisted of native hay fed ad libitum (control, C), native hay supplemented with 1% of body weight (BW) of agro–industrial by-products (Treatment 1, T1), native hay supplemented with 1% of BW of khat (Catha edulis) leftovers (Treatment 2, T2) and khat leftovers fed ad libitum (Treatment 3, T3). Breed, age and their interaction affected (P<0.05 to P<0.001) BW, body condition score (BCS), scrotal circumference (SC) and testicular weight (TW). Comparing all age classes, Boran displayed the highest (P<0.05) BW, greatest SC and heaviest TW, while Afar displayed the lowest values for these characteristics. Expressed as percentage of BW, Afar bucks had the highest TW. Regarding epididymal sperm morphology, most acrosome defects were displayed by CH (P<0.05) while AB mainly showed loose sperm heads (P<0.05). Bucks from a lowland agroclimate (i.e., Afar, Boran and WG) displayed more total sperm-head abnormalities (P<0.05) than did bucks of highland breeds (i.e., AB and CH). Younger bucks showed more (P<0.05) loose sperm heads, while older bucks had more (P<0.05) acrosome defects. Bucks fed according to the T1–T3 treatments improved (P<0.05) their BW, BCS, testicular size and testicular weight compared to controls. Goats in treatment groups T1–T3 showed higher (P<0.05) sperm motility, sperm concentration per mL and total number of spermatozoa per ejaculate compared to controls. Of groups T1–T3, bucks in T3 had the highest BW and testicular size. Feeding goats according to the T1–T3 regimes improved (P<0.001) feed dry matter (DM) and nutrient intake, and the occurrence of morphologically normal spermatozoa, compared to controls. Of the T1–T3 treatments, feeding according to T3 and T2 resulted in higher (P<0.05) DM, organic matter and gross energy intakes, while T1 followed by T3 resulted in the highest (P<0.05) crude protein intake, and T3 the highest occurrence of morphologically normal spermatozoa. In conclusion, body size, testicular traits and sperm morphology of Ethiopian bucks raised under extensive management were influenced by breed and age. Nutritional supplementation with khat leftovers and an agro–industrial by-product mix improved feed intake, growth and semen characteristics; these feedstuffs could be considered alternative feed resources to enhance goat production under smallholder farming systems in Ethiopia

Creating new markets via smallholder irrigation: The case of irrigation-led smallholder commercialization in Lume district, Ethiopia

Crop Production/Industries, Resource /Energy Economics and Policy,

SEXUAL BEHAVIOR AND KNOWLEDGE OF AIDS & OTHER STDs: A SURVEY OF SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL STUDENTS

ABSTRACT: The major objective of this study has been to examine the sexual behavior and level of knowledge of AIDS and other STDs of students at a senior high school. 116 students from the 9th to 12th grades provided information. Most of them believe that AIDS is the most serious disease the country faces. On the average, the students have modest knowledge on AIDS, but low level of knowledge on other STDs. The results show that over a third of the students have experienced sex, and most of them never use any protective means to avoid STDs

Type 2 Diabetes

Diabetes affects the patient in a myriad of ways ranging from the patient\u27s physical, social, mental, and financial health. The signs and symptoms of diabetes and the complications associated with it undermine the patient\u27s level of health and well being. Patient-centered care is a central concept that incorporates the provision of care that is respectful of the patient\u27s values, beliefs, and preferences. A secondary research method is used to gather data on type 2 diabetes. The research method will be useful for the qualitative approach to type two diabetes, such as prevalence rates, symptoms, treatment, etc. The purpose of the study is to educate on the provision of patient-centered care; the client\u27s families take an active role in the care of type 2 diabetes patients. There are various health and social impacts due to Type 2 diabetes. The community needs to inform on diabetes prevalence rates and what is necessary to avert such cases. The individuals need to informed of the various lifestyle modifications to manage the life-long disease. Lifestyle changes may include diet restrictions, insulin self-administration, and physical exercise. These changes can disrupt a patient\u27s social life. The emotional impact is mainly associated with the stress and anxiety that accompanies the diagnosis of this chronic illness. Diabetic patients need emotional support to cope with such stressors

The urban labour market during structural adjustment: Ethiopia 1990-1997

The paper examines the effects of reform and structural adjustment on the urban labour market in Ethiopia using a combination of cross-section and panel data based on surveys conducted both pre- and post- reform. During this period Ethiopia has seen impressive growth in GDP but little in the way of private investment. Meanwhile, the labour market has remained remarkably unresponsive to the pressures of reform despite the growing queues of the educated unemployed. While the public sector has contracted over the period, real wages have been re-adjusted to almost pre-reform levels; furthermore, real wages have grown in the private sector, while returns to education have remained largely unaffected.

Environmental Change, Food Crises and Violence in Dassanech, Southern Ethiopia

This paper examines pastoral conflicts in Dassanech area, Southern Ethiopia, against the background of environmental change and food insecurity. The study reveals a relationship between environmental stress and the escalation of inter-ethnic pastoral conflicts in the area. Nevertheless, pastoral conflicts in Dassanech are complex and strongly challenge the idea of a direct causal link between concrete environmental factors and specific conflict incidents. Socio-cultural and economic factors cause or trigger conflicts independently or in conjunction with ecological processes. Furthermore, infrastructure and large-scale agricultural development project are likely to influence the social configuration in the Omo River basin and therefore, possibly, also local conflict dynamics. The paper argues that local social and cultural factors play an important role for conflict action, and that, therefore, the study of resource conflicts must not be reduced to economic, agricultural, and ecological aspects.Das Papier analysiert Konflikte zwischen Gruppen mobiler Tierhalter_innen in Dassanech, Südathiopien, im Zusammenhang mit Umweltwandel und Ernährungsunsicherheit. Die Studie verweist auf eine Beziehung zwischen Umweltveränderungen und der Eskalation von inter-ethnischen Konflikten im Untersuchungsgebiet. Gleichzeitig betont der Autor, dass Intergruppenkonflikte zwischen mobilen Tierhalter_innen komplexe Phänomene sind und kein unmittelbarer Kausalzusammenhang zwischen ökologischen Faktoren und Gewalthandeln besteht. Gesellschaftlich-kulturelle und ökonomische Faktoren verstärken und veursachen Konflikte unabhängig von oder in Wechselwirkung mit ökologischen Prozessen. Darüber hinaus beeinflussen in der Region Infrastrukturprojekte sowie die Entwicklung großflächiger Landwirtschaft die sozialen Bedingungen und infolge möglicherweise auch die Konfliktdynamiken. Gebre Yntiso argumentiert, dass lokale soziale und kulturelle Faktoren eine bedeutende Rolle für Konflikthandeln spielen und Konflikte um natürliche Ressourcen deshalb nicht auf ökonomische und (agrar-)ökologische Aspekte reduziert werden dürfen

Food Security and Its Response to Livelihood Diversification in Pastoral Area of Ethiopia; A Review

In Ethiopia, Pastoralists represent approximately 10% percent of the country population, and approximately 40% of the land area of Ethiopia is considered to be under pastoral production system. Consequently, Pastoralists contribute a significant amount to the national economy. However, the pastoral production system and in particular the food security and livelihood situation is highly threatened due to various factors. This review is, therefore, shows the definition and concepts of food security and livelihood diversification. Besides, it elaborate factors affecting food security and effect of livelihood diversification on food security in pastoral area of Ethiopia. Methodologically, this manuscript is based on intensive literature review of published materials such as books, articles and extra scholar materials. It was displayed that household head sex, family size, age of household head, educational level of household head, crop production and agricultural technology (use of chemical fertilizer and pesticides, improved seeds), livestock ownership and number, dependency ratio, distance from market center, access to credit and developmental agents visit had found to be significant in determining household food security. Livelihood diversification basically influenced by push and pull factors. In general, higher the level of the household livelihood diversification, results with, the more food secure of the households. In the future, concerned agents should focus on boosting educational level, family planning and awareness creation to reduce dependency ratio, credit serves and visit by development agents for livelihood diversification and thereby food security. Keywords: Ethiopia, Factors, Food security, Livelihood diversification and Pastoral area DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/98-01 Publication date:June 30th 202

Effect of Cyanobacterial Biofertilizer on Soil Quality in Kale (Brassica Oleracea L) Crop Growing Field at Ziway Area, Ethiopia

The agricultural soil of Ethiopia is generally low in nitrogen (N) and phosphorus (P) which can affect crop production. Basically, commercial fertilizers could improve the soil fertility and crop yield. However, farmers are unwilling to use sources of inorganic fertilizers because of higher costs, accessibility and also in the long run, they affect the soil biota. This experiment was conducted to evaluate the effect of cyanobacterial biofertilizer on soil quality on kale (Brassica Oleracea L.) crop growing soil in Ziway. Five treatments: liquid cyanobacterial, dry cyanobacteria, urea, cattle manure and control were laid out in RCBD with three replications. Soil data were collected before and after harvesting the kale crop for selected soil physicochemical properties laboratory analysis and the data subjected to analysis of variance (ANOVA). The results showed that, soil total N, Organic Carbon (OC), available P, available Fe, and available Zn contents have increased by 1.2%, 0.49%, 21.1mg kg-1, 3.54 mg kg-1, and 5.31mg kg-1, respectively over the control when dry Cyanobacteria biofertilizer was applied. Similarly, the incorporation of dry and liquid cyanobacteria biofertilizer was significantly decreased the soil pH to 6.6 and 6.9 over the control 7.75, respectively. Therefore, the use of cyanobacteria as a biofertilizer should be recommended as an alternative source of inorganic N fertilizer to improve the soil quality and reclaim alkaline soil for kale crop yield improvement for medium and small-sized farms in the study area. Keywords: Anabaena species, Biofertilizer, Cyanobacteria, Soil Quality, Kale crop and N-fixin