Effect of Fertilization on Woody Plant Chemistry: The Role in Diet Selection by Goats

Lack of forage quantity and quality limit livestock production during the dry season in northeast Brazil. Coppice produced following cutting of tree species in this area has the potential to increase forage quantity and quality during the dry season, because trees that coppice retain green foliage throughout most of the dry season. However, the palatability of coppice is often low. From a theoretical standpoint, woody plants with inherently slow growth rate should be less palatable to herbivores than plants with inherently fast growth rates, because plants that grow slowly allocate more carbon to compounds such as tannins and resins that reduce palatability. I tested this hypothesis with four tree species (Mimosa caesalpiniaefolia, Croton sonderianus, Auxemma oncocalyx, and Caesalpinia bracteosa) growing on both fertile (non-calcic brown) and infertile (lithic) soils. Inherent plant growth rates were determined by growing young plants of all species on both soil types in a greenhouse. Plants were fertilized with NPK (150 or 300 kg/ha) and watered to field capacity. Urea ((NH2)2CO),diammonium phosphate ( NH4)2 Po4 and KCL were used as sources of fertilizer. On fertile soils, Mimosa had the highest inherent growth rate, followed by Auxemma, Croton, and Caesalpinia. In pen and field trials, Mimosa was preferred by goats, followed by Auxemma, Croton, and Caesalpinia. Results were similar on infertile soils, but Croton had a higher growth rate than Auxemma, and Croton was preferred to Auxemma by goats . Fertilization with 150 or 300 kg/ha of NPK increased palatability of coppice of all plant species to goats on both fertile (non-calcic brown) and infertile (lithic) soils. Fertilization affected the chemical and physical characteristics of the four plant species. Concentrations of tannins and lignins decreased as did leaf toughness, while nitrogen, phosphorus, and calcium increased. In vitro organic matter and neutral detergent fiber digestibilities did not change. The prediction that fertilized plants would be lower in carbon based compounds than the unfertilized plants was supported by the results of my study

Major Factors That Affect Female Teachers’ Participation in School Leadership: The Case of Public Primary Schools in Jimma Town

The purpose of this study was to assess the major factors that affect female teachers‟ participation in primary school leadership in Jimma Town. With this, an attempt was made to forward possible solutions for this problems. To conduct this study, descriptive survey method was employed. The participants of this study were 104 teachers selected by using simple random sampling techniques. Out of this, female teachers constitute 53 whereas the remaining 51 are male teachers. The 6 school principals, 5 Town Education Officials, and 4 Women and children affairs office holder were also involved in the study. The data were collected by using questionnaire, interview and document analysis. Both quantitative and qualitative data analysis were employed in order to reach at results. The findings of the study revealed; higher officials make gender bias while selecting school leader; lack of special support to females to win competition for leadership position in the education system of the town; they were strong in making decision; females are less participated as both heads and deputy head teachers: females have capability to lead primary school; men consider women as their equal counterparts; females assume that they will not be successful in leading school; females do not have plan and set their promotion goals to be school leader. Some of the challenges which could hinder women representation in educational leadership were for instance, pressure of home responsibilities, men dominance of management position, unclear promotion procedures. In the finding, the participants of the study also justified the following as the possible solution for the factors that affect women representation in leadership. These are providing training for women(Mentoring), gender awareness campaign, gender fairness in school leadership position, fighting traditions that hinder the progress of women, ,discourage societal discrimination, change family traditional structure(societal support), sensitize society to accept women leadership, women should be self-confident women's self -motivation.Jimma Universit

Community Mental Health Workers And Capacity Building: A Qualitative Evaluation From Ghana

Background: Ghana is among countries facing human resource shortages for mental healthcare. Since 2011, the country has shifted to a community-based model of mental healthcare and has used task-shifting to fill the mental health professional gap. Methods and Results: A qualitative study was conducted using in-depth interviews with 17 community mental health workers (16 psychology college graduates and 1 community psychiatric nurse) employed through the publically funded health system to explore their experiences in mental health promotion and service delivery on the ground. Several findings characterize the CMHWs experiences: limited mental health literacy, overwhelming stigma, performing duties outside of their job skill, lack of resources, and insufficient work space were all challenging factors to performing their work; unintended consequences arose from the possession of a psychology degree; a high degree of coping was exhibited by all participants their experiences generated significant future value. Conclusions: CMHWs have important potential for building capacity in the mental health workforce and subsequent strengthening of the mental health system. Despite their much-needed work in changing mental health perceptions at the community level, they are still limited in their impact. The Ministry of Health must pay attention to engaging religious leaders to promote enhanced mental health literacy, fulfilling their commitment to provide free psychotropic medications, and leveraging future human capital to facilitate mental health program efficacy

The Successful Soil Conservation Methods in Ethiopia: A Review

Soil conservation is the protection of fertile top soil from erosion by wind and water and the replacement of nutrient in the soil and it is the combination of the appropriate land use and a management practice that promotes the productive and sustainable use of erosion and other forms of land degradation. It has become an integral part of land use and receives support within a social and economic environment which is conductive to the maintenance and improvement of soil capital. The grass strips, bench terraces, and fanya juu reduced soil loss by 40, 76 and 88%, respectively, compared to the land without those structures. In the Anjeni area of Ethiopia, graded soil bund reduced soil loss by 40% as compared with untreated plots.  An annual soil loss from crop lands with level soil bunds reduced by 51% when compared to the control plot. In Debre Mewi, Ethiopia, Stone bunds and soil bund reduced soil loss by 72.9 and 83.7% respectively as compared to non-treated land.  In northern Ethiopia, especially in Tigray, Stone bund is effective in reducing soil loss by 68% particularly at its early age. In the central highlands of Ethiopia, the soil bund reduced the yield of barley by 7% when the spaces occupied by the structures are taken into account and otherwise increased yield by 1.7%. Agro-forestry is also one of the practices mainly used in Ethiopia at the low land areas where Mango (Mangifera indica L.) is well integrated with the cultivated crops and considered as an important component of the farm. The vetiver system reduces soil loss from farm land by 90% and reduces rainfall runoff by 70%.  Rotating the major cereals, after legumes or oil a crop is mainly used for soil fertility maintenance, weed and disease control. Keywords: Agroforestry, conservation, Erosion, soil bund, Soil, stone bund, terrace, DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/84-02 Publication date: April 30th 202

Optimal Irrigation Scheduling for Pepper (Capsicum annuum L.) at Gidara Condition, Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia

The wise use of irrigation water relies on understanding the exact crop water demand and its application which help to boost agricultural water productivity. Proper irrigation scheduling comprises crop water demand and the rifling frequency of the required water amount. Therefore, this activity was aimed at determining the optimal irrigation regime for pepper. The trial was carried out during 2016 and 2017 to determine the optimal irrigation regime of Pepper (Mareko Fana variety) at Gidara trial site of Melkassa Agricultural Research under five soil moisture depletion levels at which the next irrigation is given: 60% ASMDL, 80% ASMDL, 100% ASMDL, 120% ASMDL and 140% ASMDL). The allowable soil moisture depletion level (100% ASMDL) was scheduled to be refilled when 30% of the total available soil moisture was depleted. The result revealed that there was significant difference in plant height, yield and water productivity among treatments at 5% level of significance. The maximum yield and water productivity were observed in 60% ASMDL treatment. Using depletion levels of 60% and 80% of the recommended soil moisture depletion levels has increased the water productivity significantly. Hence, as much as the total water to be applied throughout the growth period is similar it is better to irrigate pepper frequently with smaller amount. Keywords: Allowable soil moisture depletion level, Irrigation interval, Irrigation regime, Pepper, Water productivity DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/12-4-01 Publication date: February 28th 202

Household Dairy Production System, Marketing and Constraints in Ethiopia

This study reviews the household dairy production system, marketing and constraints with the aim of delivering summarized and synthesized information for the beneficiaries and users. Agricultural production dominates the Ethiopian economy and contributes 45% of gross domestic product and provides more than 80% of employment. Ethiopia holds large potential for dairy development due to its large livestock population, the favorable climate for improved, high-yielding animal breeds, emerging market opportunity, improved policy environment for involvement of private sectors, and the relatively disease-free environment for livestock. Ethiopia can contribute significantly to poverty alleviation and nutrition in the country. Though different classifications have been used to characterize the dairy production system in the country; based on their locations, dairy production system classified into three broad categories, namely, urban, per-urban and rural dairy production. Among the existing production systems, the traditional dairy production systems, is the one involving from smallholder dairy farms. The traditional (smallholder) milk production system, which is dominated by indigenous breeds, accounts for about 97-98% of the total annual milk production in the country. Over 85% of the milk produced by rural household is consumed within the producer households with the proportion marketed being less than 7%. Dairy  production  in  Ethiopia  is constrained by several factors classified as: technical or biological and socio-economic and institutional factors, some of the major environmental constraints such as low rainfall, high  temperature  and  low  forage  production,  common  plant  association,  livestock  and  human carrying capacity, incidence of important livestock diseases and parasites, mainly define in the lowlands of Ethiopia. There are a number of challenges and bottlenecks limiting the success and profitability of household dairy production systems in Ethiopia. Keywords: Dairy production, Marketing, Constraints, Ethiopi

Determinants of Market Participation and Intensity of Marketed Surplus of Teff Producers in Bacho and Dawo Districts of Oromia State, Ethiopia

The vast majority of households in Ethiopia live in rural areas and agriculture is still the main economic activity. They rarely produce for the market and are highly dependent on climate for their subsistence. In this paper, the market options available to these farmers, as well as market related factors that are problematic were investigated. Multi-stage sampling procedure was employed to draw sample of 150 teff producers. Double hurdle model was used to identify factors affecting market participation and intensity of marketed surplus of teff. Market participation of smallholder farmers was significantly affected by access to credit, perception of farmers on lagged market price of teff, family size, agroecology, farm size and ownership of transport equipment. The intensity of marketed supply was significantly influenced by family size, agroecology, distance to the nearest market, farm size, perception of current price, income from other farming and off-farm activity, and livestock holding. The findings generally suggest the need to create trust among value chain actors, reliable market information, strong extension intervention on upgrading the value chain, and giving training for farmers on marketing. Keywords: Marketed Surplus, double-hurdle, profit

An Assessment of Students’ Paragraph Writing Problems and Causes: The Case of General Tadesse Biru Secondary School Grade 10 in Focus

The aim of this study was to assess students’ paragraph writing problems and causes of General Tadesse Biru Secondary school grade 10 in focus. The researcher designed 3 research questions which were set to identify students’ problems in writing paragraph, and causes. A descriptive case study design which contains both qualitative and quantitative method was used. Four EFL teachers were selected through availability sampling, whereas; 40 students were selected using simple random sampling technique. The study employed four data gathering tools: document analysis, questionnaire, classroom observation and interview. Analyses of written paragraphs were employed to identify the problems students commit in writing paragraph. Questionnaire and interview were designed to identify the major causes of the problems. Classroom observation was employed to assess the methods teachers use in teaching paragraph writing in the classroom. The data collected through document analysis, questionnaire and classroom observation were analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively whereas interview was analyzed qualitatively. The finding of the study revealed that almost all students have problems of identifying three parts of the paragraph and writing unified, coherent, and well organized paragraph. The major causes of the aforementioned problems were lack of proper word use, absence of appropriate teaching techniques, and lack of writing practice. Thus, all the concerned bodies were recommended to do their best to restore students’ writing skill. DOI: 10.7176/JCSD/66-01 Publication date:August 31st 202