Statistical Analysis of Households’ Crop Production Decisions in Jimma Rare District, Horro Guduru Wollega Zone, Ethiopia

Background: Crop production decision is an important for crop producers which increases the productivity of households to reduce food insecurity. This study aims at assessing the factors influencing households’ crop production decision in Jimma Rare District. Methods: The data was generated from primary source and 196 households were selected from Jimma Rare District using Multistage sampling techniques. Both descriptive statistics and econometric model (multinomial logit) were applied in this study to analyze the data collected from the selected sample households. Results: The study showed that, 39.30%, 19.90%, 32.70%, and 8.10% sampled households mainly use the combination of cereal crops, pulses, and oilseeds; cereal crop alone; the combination of cereal crops and pulses; and the combination of cereal crops and oilseeds respectively. The result of MNL model showed that age of household heads, education level of household heads, total land size, availability of agricultural inputs, access to agricultural infrastructure, and agro-ecological zone had significantly influenced crop production choices of households. Conclusion: The result suggests that different combinations of types of crops are influenced by differing independent variables. The result of MNL model showed that education level of household heads and availability of agricultural inputs are significantly and positively associated with the choice of cereal crops alone while total land size is significantly and negatively associated. On the other hand, availability of agricultural inputs, access to agricultural infrastructure, and agro-ecological zone are significantly and positively associated with the choice of cereal crops and pulses combination whereas total land size is significantly and negatively associated. Similarly, age and education level of household heads are significantly and positively associated with the choice of cereal crops and oilseeds combination while total land size is significantly and negatively associated as compared to combination of types of crops. Therefore, the study recommends that, improving access to training, availability of agricultural inputs at planting time, and preparing experience sharing among farmers should be promoted to increase the productivity of farmers by appropriate decision of crop production in the study area. Keywords: Crop Production Decision, jimma Rare, Multinomial logistic regression model DOI: 10.7176/DCS/9-8-04 Publication date: August 31st 201

Farmers’ Perceptions and Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change and Variability the Case of Kacha Bira Woreda, Kembata Tembaro Zone, Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Ethiopia

Climate change is global environmental treat to all economic sectors, particularly agricultural sector, geographical location and topography in combination with heavy dependence on reified agriculture result in high vulnerability to adverse impact of climate change and variability. The study was carried in to two villages of Awaye and Burchana of Kacha Birra district, southern Ethiopia. The overall objective of this study was to assess farmers’ perceptions and adaptation strategies to climate change and variability in Kach  Birra woreda, south Ethiopia. Both primary and secondary data were used. Primary data were collected from household’s interviews through structured questionnaire, key informants interview, focus group discussion and field observation from two dominant agro-ecological zones in the woreda. The data were collected from 130 households who were selected through multi-stage sampling techniques. Distractive statistics is used to assess farmers’ perceptions, and baseline adaptation, where as binary logit model is used to examine the determinants of adaptation strategies to climate change and variability. Results show that over the past 30 years almost all respondents have perceived increase in temperature, decrease in precipitation and more erratic rainfall patterns and this is confirmed by climatic data records. The most common adaptation options include planting new crop varieties, drought resistant crop variety, diversifying crop, changing planting dates, implementing soil and water conservation practices, making adjustments to crop and livestock management, changing fertilizer applications, engaging in off-farm income-generating activities and migration. The result of the binary logit model highlighted age, family size, land size, education and farming experience as main factors that encourage private adaptations and by contrast, female headed household, access to extension significantly discouraging ones. Future policy making processes should pay due attention to incorporate action plans that strengthen the already existing autonomous adaptation strategies used by these communities. Keywords: awaye, kachebirra vulnerability logit baseline adaptatio

Estimating Willingness to Pay for Forest Ecosystem Conservation The Case of Wof-Washa Forest, North Shewa Zone, Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia

Most of the times non use value of forest resources are not clearly stated and their contribution to national GDP is underestimated because of lack of measurement methods and techniques for non use values. The conservation activities are neglected either because of financial constraints or lack of attention. The objective of this study was to estimate the total economic value (TEV) households place on improved forest conservation and protection so as to ensure the provision of improved forest goods and services. The study is conducted on Wof-Washa Forest, North Shewa Zone, Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia. Data were collected through secondary data, key informant interviews and household survey using a CVM. A total of 353 households were surveyed from four kebeles. In order to elicit the Willingness to pay (WTP) of households for the protection and conservation of this forest, the DBDC value elicitation technique with follow up open-ended question was used. Descriptive statistics and bivariate probit econometric model was used to estimate both mean WTP and to identify factors determining the households' WTP for the forest ecosystem protection and conservation. 65% of the surveyed respondents were WTP for the proposed project so as to improve forest service. The mean WTP for the double bounded bivariate probit estimate ranged from Birr 42 to 35.60 per month for the initial and for the follow up bids, respectively. The bivariate probit model showed gender, age, education level, income, bid price and distance from the forest significantly affecting the WTP for forest conservation. Using the second bid the aggregate mean WTP is estimated at Birr 1.7 million per year. Though, Wof-Washs forest is getting degraded due to illegal activities and encroachment still it supplements the local people’s livelihood. Keywords: Total economic value, Non use values, Contingent valuation, willingness to pa

Pulse Crops Production Opportunities, Challenges and Its Value Chain in Ethiopia: A Review Article

Agriculture is the main back bone of Ethiopian economy; crop production takes the largest share. The major crops category grown in all parts of the country are cereals, pulses and oilseeds, which not only constituted major food crops but also served as a source of income at household level and a contributor for the country’s foreign currency earnings, among others. The objective of this review is to organize and make analysis on pulse crops production opportunities, challenges and its value chain in Ethiopia. To meet the objective of the study larger number of literatures has been reviewed.  In Ethiopia, pulse crops are the second most cultivated crop next to cereals both in terms of area cultivated and volume of production. The suitability of soil and climate conditions for pulse crops cultivation makes Ethiopia is a huge supplier of dry pulse crops in the international markets. More than twelve pulse species are grown in the country. Faba bean, field pea, chickpea, lentils, grass peas, fenugreek (lupine), haricot beans, soya beans and mung beans are the most important. Oromia, Amhara, SNNPR and Tigray regions are the largest producers of pulse crops. There has been substantial growth in pulse subsector since 2007/2008 in terms of volume of production and productivity (yields) but yields are low compared to international standards and overall production is highly constrained by lack of proper agronomic practices, weather shocks, and shortage of improved seeds, fertilizers and chemicals to control pests and diseases. In Ethiopia, pulse`s value chains are long with many middlemen and relatively high margins goes to intermediates. Actors in the pulse crops value chain are constrained by so many factors, such as lack of infrastructures and financial services, weak linkages between exporters and producers, lack of sustained and adequate market to the exporters and farmers. Keywords: Ethiopia, Pulse crops, Nitrogen fixation, Value chain. DOI: 10.7176/JEES/9-1-0

Review of agricultural production systems in eastern Africa in relation to food and nutrition security and climate change

The goal of this paper is to provide a unified resource for Eritrea, Djibouti, Somaliland, Somalia, Ethiopia, Kenya, Uganda, Rwanda and Tanzania. For each country the review covers the topics of livestock production systems and agroecological zones, food and nutrition security, climate change, greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and climate-smart agriculture (CSA) with a focus on the role of, or impact on, livestock systems. Each of these topics is broad and many excellent studies and reviews have been produced covering these topics either at the country level or for the entire East Africa region. It is the goal of this paper to provide an accessible introduction to these topics and to direct readers to the resources that exist for gathering detailed information on livestock production, food nutrition and security, climate change, GHG emissions and climate-smart livestock production in each country

Molluscicidal effects of endod (Phytolacca dodecandra) on fasciola transmitting snails

A study was conducted to investigate the molluscicidal effects of crude water suspension of unripe green Endod (Phytolacca dodecandra) berries (Type 44) on different developmental stages of Lymnaea natalensis and Lymnaea truncatula. Concentration of 20 ppm for exposure period of 24 hours induced 100 % mortality in young L. natalensis and L. truncatula snails, while higher concentration was required for mature snails of both species. The LC90 on L. natalensis with shell height of 5-9.8 mm., 10–2.9 mm. and 13–18.5 mm. was 19.8, 21.1, 22.8 ppm, respectively. With regards to L. truncatula the LC90 for snails with a shell height of 3.4-5.4 mm and 5.7–8.2 mm was 19.5 and 21 ppm, respectively. Study on time-concentration relationship revealed that exposing snails for one hour required a concentration of 48.9 and 72.5 ppm in young (6–12.4 mm.) and adult (12.5–18.5 mm.) L. natalensis to cause 90% mortality, respectively. In the case of L. truncatula snails (4.5–7.4 mm) 54.5 ppm was needed to produce 90 % mortality. However, both snail species were killed at about a concentration of 20 ppm between 6 and 24 hours of exposure times. Key words/phrases: Endod, fascioliasis, Lymnaea natalensis, Lymnaea truncatula, Molluscicide SINET: Ethiopian Journal of Science Vol.25(2) 2002: 275-28

A meta-analysis of the prevalence of Toxoplasma gondii in animals and humans in Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Toxoplasmosis is a worldwide zoonosis. The objectives of this study were to estimate the prevalence and assess the potential risk factors of Toxoplasma gondii infections in animals and humans in Ethiopia by using meta-analytical methods. METHODS: Published studies on T. gondii in animals and humans in Ethiopia were searched in Medline, Google Scholar and the lists of references of articles. Eligible studies were selected by using inclusion and exclusion criteria. The risks of within and across study biases, and the variations in prevalence estimates attributable to heterogeneities were assessed. Pooled prevalence was estimated by the DerSimonian and Laird random effects model. RESULTS: Thirty two studies were eligible and data from 5689 animals and 5718 humans were used for quantitative syntheses. The pooled IgG seroprevalence in cats, small ruminants and humans were estimated at 87.72 % (95 % CI = 78.63, 93.28), 34.59 % (95 % CI = 21.08, 51.12) and 74.73 % (95 % CI = 61.85, 84.36), respectively. The odds of infections were higher in pregnant than in non pregnant women (OR = 3.96), in individuals that had contact with cats than those with no contact (OR = 2.53), and in urban than in rural inhabitants (OR = 2.06). CONCLUSIONS: Toxoplasmosis is highly prevalent and could be a cause of considerable reproductive wastage in small ruminants and multiple diseases in humans in Ethiopia. Public education on preventive measures could help reduce the transmission of the parasite to humans. ELECTRONIC SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL: The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13071-015-0901-7) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users

Enzymatic and fecundity evaluation of Fasciola hepatica exposed to different doses of γ- irradiation in Ethiopian sheep

The upshot of γ-irradiated Fasciola hepatica infection on the activity of plasma glutamate dehydrogenase (GLDH) and γ-glutamyl  transpeptidase (GGT) was evaluated in 36 sheep infected with a single dose of 30, 60, 120, and 240 grays and those kept as negative and positive control over 17 weeks. During this period, serum and faecal samples, as well as body weight gains, were taken at weekly intervals. Furthermore, the effects of the irradiation dose (500) for oral vaccination and on the recovery of adult flukes were assessed following primary infection. Eggs were first detected in the faeces of infected sheep on week 8 post-infection. The parasite viability was severely  affected by doses of γ-irradiation of 120 Gy or 240 Gy. In the aforementioned doses, relatively low numbers of mature flukes of about 60 (17.1%) and 38 (10.8%) were recovered than the control group, respectively. The sensitized lambs also showed less hepatic damage  compared with the controls as indicated by lower levels of the serum enzyme glutamate dehydrogenase and γ- glutamyl transferase  significant body weight loss was observed between weeks 6 and 8 post-infection followed by a steady increase of the mean weight of  infected animals across time. In conclusion, vaccination of sheep with γ irradiated metacercariae of F. hepatica appeared to affect the number and development of the fluke population resulting in reduced hepatic damage during migration, reduced fecundity after patency, as measured by worm and egg counts, levels of serum glutamate dehydrogenase and γ- glutamyl transferase

Statistical Analysis of Crop Production Risks of Households in Jimma Rare District, Horro Guduru Wollega Zone, Ethiopia

Background: This study aims at assessing the factors influencing households’ crop production risks due to hail or heavy rainfall in Jimma Rare District. Methods: The data was generated from primary source and 196 households were selected from Jimma Rare District using Multistage sampling techniques. Both descriptive statistics and econometric model (Poisson or Negative Binomial regression) were applied in this study to analyze the data collected from the selected sample households. Results: The survey result shows that, the average number of crop production risks due to hail or heavy rainfall was 1.62 with variance equal to 2.04. The result of Negative binomial regression model shows that, age of household heads and total land size have positively and significantly influenced the number of crop production risks due to hail or heavy rainfall faced by households, but negatively affected by livestock size, access to extension service, and access to training. Conclusion: This study revealed that rural households are affected by different demographic and socio-economic factors, farm characteristics, institutional factors, and environmental factors. Specifically, the finding revealed that, an increase in age of household heads and total land size increases number of crop production risks faced by farmers due to hail or heavy rainfall in the area whereas an increase in livestock size, access to extension service, and access to training decreases the number of crop production risks due to hail or heavy rainfall by farmers in the study area. Therefore, the study recommends that, improving access to training, availability of agricultural inputs at planting time, and preparing experience sharing among farmers should be promoted to decrease number of crop production risks due to hail or heavy rainfall and increase the productivity of farmers by appropriate decision of crop production in the study area. Keywords: Households, Crop Production Risks, Jimma Rare, Poisson regression, Negative binomial regression, Oromiya, Ethiopia DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/10-10-04 Publication date:May 31st 202

The Sensitivity of Meteorological Dynamics to the Variability in Catchment Characteristics

Evaluating meteorological dynamics is a challenging task due to the variability in hydroclimatic settings. This study is designed to assess the sensitivity of precipitation and temperature dynamics to catchment variability. The effects of catchment size, land use/cover change, and elevation differences on precipitation and temperature variability were considered to achieve the study objective. The variability in meteorological parameters to the catchment characteristics was determined using the coefficient of variation on the climate data tool (CDT). A land use/cover change and terrain analysis was performed on Google Earth Engine (GEE) and ArcGIS. In addition, a correlation analysis was performed to identify the relative influence of each catchment characteristic on the meteorological dynamics. The results of this study showed that the precipitation dynamics were found to be dominantly influenced by the land use/cover change with a correlation of 0.65, followed by the elevation difference with a correlation of -0.47. The maximum and minimum temperature variations, on the other hand, were found to be most affected by the elevation difference, with Pearson correlation coefficients of -0.53 and -0.57, respectively. However, no significant relationship between catchment size and precipitation variability was observed. In general, it is of great importance to understand the relative and combined effects of catchment characteristics on local meteorological dynamics for sustainable water resource management