Ultimate Load-Deflection Characteristics and Failure Modes of Ceiling Diaphragms for Farm Buildings

Load-deflection characteristics and failure modes of metal-clad, timber-framed, screw-fastened ceiling diaphragms are presented. Diaphragms, 2.44 m x 6.10 m (8 ft x 20 ft) and 2.44 m x 4.88 m (8 ft x 16 ft), were built and tested as deep beams. Loads were applied to simulate wind loads on ceilings of farm buildings. Variables included panel profile, rib orientation, size of supporting grid, diaphragm size, spacing of end-fasteners, and effect of an opening at midspan

AN ECONOMIC ANALYSIS OF THE RELATIONSHIP OF POVERTY AND INCOME INEQUALITY IN RURAL WEST VIRGINIA

Ordinary and two-stage least square regressions were used to examine the major determinants of poverty and income inequality with cross-sectional data of 38 rural counties of West Virginia. The empirical findings confirm the possibility of simultaneity between poverty and income inequality and poverty level is the main determinant of increased levels of income inequality. The proportions of population in welfare, population of age 65 or older, female-headed households, people unemployed, and the level of inequality contributed to increased poverty levels. The proportion of employment shares in finance, insurance and real estate, and per capita income contributed to reduced poverty levels. But, per capita income, the proportion of human capital stock, and the proportion of employment shares in manufacturing contributed to reduced income inequality.Food Security and Poverty,

THE DETERMINANTS OF CEREAL CROP DIVERSITY ON FARMS IN THE ETHIOPIAN HIGHLANDS

On farm conservation of crop diversity entails policy challenges, especially when the diversity of crops maintained on farms has both inter-specific (among crops) and infra-specific (within a crop) components. Survey data is used to compare the determinants of inter- and infra-specific diversity on household farms in the highlands of northern Ethiopia. Physical features of the farm, and household characteristics such as livestock assets and the proportion of adults that are men, have large and significant effects on both the diversity among and within cereal crops grown, varying among crops. Demographic aspects such as age of household head and adult education levels affect only infra-specific diversity of cereals. Though there are no apparent trade-offs between policies that would enhance one type of diversity (richness) versus another (evenness), those designed to encourage infra-specific diversity in one cereal crop might have the opposite effect on another crop. Trade-offs between development and diversity in this resource-poor system are not evident. Market-related variables and population density have ambiguous effects. Education positively influences cereal crop diversity. Growing modern varieties of maize or wheat does not detract from the richness or evenness of these cereals on household farms.Crop Production/Industries,

Determinants of adoption of improved forage technologies in crop-livestock mixed systems: Evidence from the highlands of Ethiopia

Inadequate feed and nutrition are major constraints to livestock production in sub-Saharan Africa. National and international research agencies, including the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), have developed several feed production and utilisation technologies. However, adoption of these technologies has so far been low. Identification of the major socio-economic and policy factors influencing the adoption of improved feed technologies is required to help design policy and institutional interventions to improve adoption. Using a panel data set from the crop-livestock mixed systems of the Ethiopian highlands, we found that household resource endowment, especially land and labour, and market integration and crop intensification were important factors encouraging adoption of an oats-vetch (Avena sativa and ITcia villosa ssdasycarpa, respectively) forage technology. Results imply that land-saving technologies such as high-yielding crop varieties or modern soil fertility management practices, the development of forage technologies that are complementary to food crops in land utilisation, and the development of livestock markets can enhance adoption of improved forage technologies

Traditional cow and camel milk production and marketing in agropastoral and mixed crop-livestock systems: the case of Mieso District, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

This study was conducted to characterize the traditional milk production and marketing system, and to identify constraints and opportunities for further development. It was conducted in Mieso District of Oromia Regional State, located 300 km east of Addis Ababa and at about 200 km east of Adama. Five rural kebeles, Dire Kalu, Gena, Huse Mendera, Hunde Misoma and Welda Jejeba, that have milk production potential were selected. Farmers/agro-pastoralists from each rural kebele were also selected. Group discussion was conducted with key informants such as elders and experts in the Office of Pastoral and Rural Development to have an overview of the overall milk production and marketing system. The information generated in participatory rural appraisal phases was used for the preparation and development of a questionnaire for the formal survey. The formal survey was conducted by trained enumerators in 2005/06 using 120 farmers. To capture gender effects in the overall production system, the sample household on each rural kebele was stratified into female-and male-headed households. For the market study, from the three existing market sites, Mieso and Asebot markets were purposively selected. Milk marketing was monitored during the rainy and the dry seasons. A questionnaire was used to collect information on the amount of milk delivered, price and number of individuals who sell milk. During the monitoring phase, a diagnostic survey was undertaken to identify households that have lactating cows and/or camels in the selected five rural kebeles. There were generally two types of milk outlets identified in the district. These are traditional milk associations or groups and individual sellers. Feed scarcity, water shortage, security problem and limited access to veterinary services were identified as the major problems to dairy production and mortality due to diseases was also identified as a major cause of loss in cattle. The paper concludes with recommendations

Policies for sustainable land management in the highlands of Tigray, northern Ethiopia

The papers presented at this workshop dealt with a wide array of topics related to land management in the highlands of Tigray. The papers reported results on the causes and implications of agricultural change and land management; the status and determinants of soil fertility; land use; land transactions and impact of tenure security on land investment; policies and institutions for livestock development and sustainable land use; community woodlot and grazing land management; comparative analysis of community and private tree plantations; the economic return to and impacts of policies affecting land management; and the role of extension in sustainable land management in the region. This project characterises the problems of land management; identifies dominant pathways of development in the region and their causes; determines the past and current impacts of different factors on land management; strengthens the capacity of collaborating organisations in Tigray to conduct policy research and analysis related to land management; and helps facilitate adoption and implementation of policy and institutional strategies to improve land management in the highlands of Tigray