Diversity, Challenges and Potentials of Enset (Ensete ventricosum) Production: In Case of Offa Woreda, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

The main objectives of the study were to investigate the existing diversity of enset clones selected for different purposes; its challenges and contribution of enset production for sustainable livelihood security of the rural community in the study area. The result revealed that farmers were rich in diversity in that they grow various types of clones in the same farm for their intended purposes. Among diverse enset clones grown in the area, the top 5 clones which are selected for kocho, workey and bulla include halla, falakiya, tuzuma,nakaka and gena. Similarly, clones selected for amicho (corm) include arkiya, nakaka, gena, chichiya and peluwa; and those selected for fiber include halla, falakiya, tuzuma, maziya, and argama. Generally, clones halla, nakaka, tuzuma, maziya and kekeruwa are some of the clones of multipurpose. Enset plays a vital role in contributing food and livelihood security of majority of the society in the study area. In line with this, about 63% of the sample farmers reported that the yield of enset is higher than other major crops including root and tuber crops produced in the area. Farmers identified the major challenges and about 55% of the sample farmers indicated that land shortage was the 1st serious problem in the area followed by disease and recurrent drought which account for about 16% and 14.7%, respectively. Therefore, critical reduction of enset production and its diversity calls for future collective action to generate new technology in every aspect including production, processing and extension services to utilize the crop potential. Furthermore, clone of multipurpose such as halla, nakaka and tuzuma need to be promoted further to utilize crop potential and to contribute for sustainable livelihood security of rural people.   Keywords: enset, clone, yield, challenges, diversity, Sustainable and livelihoo

Determinants and effect of adoption of small scale biogas technology by rural households: the case of Sodo Zuria district, Wolaita zone, southern Ethiopia

The aim of this study was to assess determinants and effect of adoption of small scale biogas technology by rural households in Sodo Zuria district, Wolaita zone, southern Ethiopia. The population in selected three sample Kebeles were stratified into two categories (biogas user and non-user). A total of 153 respondents were randomly selected and interviewed by using interviewed schedule. Descriptive statistics, inferential statistics (chi-square and independent ttest) and binary logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the data. Logit model was used to analyze the adoption decision of biogas technology. The model result indicated that adopters and non-adopters differed in 6 out of 12 explanatory variables expected to influence the adoption of Biogas technology in the study area. Variables such as sex, education of respondents, livestock ownership, occupation, and attending training of respondents with biogas development had significant and positive influence on the use of biogas technology. On the other hand, distance to water had significant negative effect on the use of biogas technology. High installation cost (55%), negative attitude of community towards biogas energy (8%), inadequate skilled technicians (25%), lack of adequate fund, lack of interest, and poor infrastructure (10%) were the main challenges of using biogas technology. Biogas technology gives high contribution for the users especially in reduction of expenditure on cooking energy, saving time in preparation and cooking of food, provision of organic bio slurry, reduction of smoke in the kitchen, and making cooking more convenient 79%, 70%, 88%, and 95%respectively. The study suggests government and non-governmental organizations to strengthen farmers’ capacity and make them to focus on construction of new biogas technology in order to expand its benefits in the study area

Livelihood Strategies and Food Security of Rural Households in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Despite the continuing economic dominance of agriculture in Wolaita, farm households widely engage in and pursue diverse livelihood activities to generate income and achieve food security. The major objectives of this study are to analyze households’ food security status as an outcome of livelihood strategies and identify factors affecting food security of rural farm households. For the purpose of this study primary data were collected from randomly selected 300 households in four woredas of the zone. The main tools of analysis for this study include descriptive statistics and logistic regression model. The finding of the survey result indicates that rural households in the study area practice diversified livelihood strategies, in that large part of the respondents (57.7%) combine agriculture with other activities (non/off-farm). Food security status of the households was analyzed based on nationally recommended calorie requirement (2200kcal) of the households. Based on this, about 57% of the sample households found to be food insecure. The relationship b/n rural households’ livelihood strategies and food security status depicted that majority of food secured households (62%) rely on farming alone as one of most important livelihood strategies. On the contrary, non-farming and off-farming activities were the common livelihood means which specifically practiced by food insecure households. Binary logit model results reveal that out of 25 explanatory variables included in the logistic model, 12 were found to be significant at less than 10% probability level. According to this, education, family size in AE, cultivated land size, frequency of extension visit, access for credit, access to farm plus off-farm activities, access to farm plus non-farm and off-farm activities, safety net aid, use of chemical fertilizer, cooperative membership and agro-ecological zone were found to be the most important determinants affecting the state of food security positively. On the other hand, family size in AE was found negatively and significantly affected food security status of the household. The finding of the study considers government and other concerned bodies to design appropriate development policies and strategies in relation to significant variables to bring sustainable livelihood improvement in attaining household food security goals. Keywords: Livelihood strategies, determinants of food security, rural households, binary logit model, Woliata, Ethiopi

Data on the demographics, education, health and infrastructure: Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia

This data article presents a comprehensive data set about Wolaita Zone (Ethiopia), and the Woredas / Districts within it. The tables cover administrative, demographic, educational, agricultural, transport, and water aspects of the zone. The majority of the data is from 2013/2014, however, a few tables provide trend data over recent years. The evidence shows rapid population growth, significant educational challenges, limitations of health coverage, disparities of agricultural extension service provision and potable water. The data are otherwise not available to researchers and these data sets enable greater contextualization for any on-going or future research within the zone. The data were provided by the Zonal Administration in 2015, and were part of a research project that was approved by the Ethiopian Public Health Institute and supported by the Regional Health Bureau. Keywords: Ethiopia, Wolaita, Data, Demographics, Education, Agriculture, Roads, Water acces

Determinants of Adoption of improved Maize Technology in Damote Gale Woreda

ABSTRACT The study was conducted in Damot Gale Woreda of Wolaita zone in Ethiopia. The study Woreda was selected purposively based on accessibility and production potential. Out of 51 peasant associations, 4 peasant associations were selected randomly. For selection of study units probability proportional to the size was applied and respondents were selected (adopters and non adopters) through systematic sampling technique. Descriptive statistics and Logit model was applied to estimate the factors affecting adoption of improved maize technology. The study results shows that small holders with more number of livestock, external funding, targeted extension services, unaffordable input price, timely supply of chemical fertilizer and improved seed and farm size are important determinants of adoption of maize technology. Further study reports that adoption is a cumulative effects of several factors