Evaluation of a global MBA programme

E-learning continues to develop rapidly supported by increasing sophistication of information technology and by better understanding of how to make content and delivery more effective. Moreover, new forms of e-learning support system are being introduced to higher education institutions in an effort to meet the student-centred learning paradigms recommended by UNESCO (UNESCO, 1998). The creation and implementation of effective quality assurance for such learning processes has been identified as one of the most challenging tasks. Jara & Mellar (2010) and Martínez-Argüelles et al. (2010) point out that the collection of student feedback should be a central part of strategies to monitor the quality and standards of teaching and learning in higher education institutions for both conventional learning and e-learning. Jara & Mellar (2010) note also that while research into e-learning abounds, studies that focus on the effectiveness of the provision of e-learning are limited, and that this is a gap to be filled. This article reports on the evaluation of, and the consequent changes to, the global e-learning MBA programme from the University of Bedfordshire. The research was conducted by three members of the MBA team - two Senior Lecturers and the E-learning Development Manager. The aim was to investigate the learning experiences and perceptions of the students and to evaluate the effectiveness of the e-learning support system

Adaptability Study of Improved Sesame (Sesamumindicum L.) Varieties at Harari Region

Sesame (Sesamum indicum L.) is an important oilseed crop in the tropics and subtropics. Field trials were conducted during the main rainy seasons of 2017, and 2019 at Harari regional state of Kile kebele with the objective to study the adaptability of released sesame varieties. Twelve improved varieties of sesame including standard check (Obsa) were used as planting materials. The experiment was laid out in Completely Randomized Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Analysis of variance showed that significant variation was observed among the varieties for days to flowering, days to maturity, number of branches per plant, number of pods per plant, plant height and grain yield. Accordingly, Chalasa, Srinka-2 Srinka-1and Hirhir varieties found to be best performing varieties among the test varieties and hence were recommended for further demonstration and scaling up in the study area and similar agro-ecologies. Keywords: Varieties, adaptability, and environment DOI: 10.7176/ALST/85-01 Publication date: January 31st 202

Food Insecurity and Associated Factors Among Households in Areka Town, Southern Ethiopia

Background: Food insecurity among poor urban households in low income settings is a major public health concern. This study aimed to assess the magnitude of food insecurity and associated factors among households in Areka town, Southern Ethiopia. Methods: A community based cross-sectional survey was conducted among a total random sample of 309 urban households in Areka town, Southern Ethiopia, from March to April, 2015. Data was gathered using an interviewer administered and pre-tested structured questionnaire. The data was entered into Epi Info version 3.5.3 and exported to SPSS version 20.0 for analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between independent and outcome variable. Multivariable analysis was used to identify factors associated with household food insecurity after controlling possible confounders and statistical significance set at p- value < 0.05. Result: The magnitude of household food insecurity was 69.6 % (95% CI = 64.1, 75.2). Household food insecurity severity status was categorized as mild for34.3%, (95% CI = (29.4, 39.8)], moderate for31.7%, (95% CI = (26.1, 37.0)], and severe for 3.6%, (95% CI = (1.9, 5.8)] households respectively. Being a poor household [(AOR = 3.13, 95% CI = ( 1.42, 6.91)],  lack of formal education among  household heads [(AOR = 4.70, 95% CI = (1.82, 12.12) ]  , households whose  monthly  food expenditure  was <500 ETB [ (AOR =6.9 , 95% CI =1.45, 32.9)]  and  between 500- 1500 ETB [ (AOR = 2.70, 95% CI =1.48, 4.91)] ,  and  household head’s age ≥ 50 years  [(AOR = 2.11, 95% CI = (1.12, 3.95)] were significantly  associated  with urban  household food insecurity. Conclusion: The prevalence of urban household food insecurity was high in the study setting. The older age group and lack of formal education by head of the household, household poverty and less monthly household expenditure for food consumption was factors that significantly contributed to urban food insecurity. Therefore, an integrated feasible urban food security interventions should be emphasized at all levels by all relevant stakeholders targeting the urban poor households to ensure urban household food security. Keywords: Areka town, Southern Ethiopia, Household Food insecurity. DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/66-05 Publication date:September 30th 2019

Food Insecurity and Associated Factors Among Households in Areka Town, Southern Ethiopia

Background: Food insecurity among poor urban households in low income settings is a major public health concern. This study aimed to assess the magnitude of food insecurity and associated factors among households in Areka town, Southern Ethiopia.Methods: A community based cross-sectional survey was conducted among a total random sample of 309 urban households in Areka town, Southern Ethiopia, from March to April, 2015. Data was gathered using an interviewer administered and pre-tested structured questionnaire. The data was entered into Epi Info version 3.5.3 and exported to SPSS version 20.0 for analysis. Binary logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association between independent and outcome variable. Multivariable analysis was used to identify factors associated with household food insecurity after controlling possible confounders and statistical significance set at p- value < 0.05.Result: The magnitude of household food insecurity was 69.6 % (95% CI = 64.1, 75.2). Household food insecurity severity status was categorized as mild for34.3%, (95% CI = (29.4, 39.8)], moderate for31.7%, (95% CI = (26.1, 37.0)], and severe for 3.6%, (95% CI = (1.9, 5.8)] households respectively. Being a poor household [(AOR = 3.13, 95% CI = ( 1.42, 6.91)],  lack of formal education among  household heads [(AOR = 4.70, 95% CI = (1.82, 12.12) ]  , households whose  monthly  food expenditure  was <500 ETB [ (AOR =6.9 , 95% CI =1.45, 32.9)]  and  between 500- 1500 ETB [ (AOR = 2.70, 95% CI =1.48, 4.91)] ,  and  household head’s age ≥ 50 years  [(AOR = 2.11, 95% CI = (1.12, 3.95)] were significantly  associated  with urban  household food insecurity.Conclusion: The prevalence of urban household food insecurity was high in the study setting. The older age group and lack of formal education by head of the household, household poverty and less monthly household expenditure for food consumption was factors that significantly contributed to urban food insecurity. Therefore, an integrated feasible urban food security interventions should be emphasized at all levels by all relevant stakeholders targeting the urban poor households to ensure urban household food security. Keywords:  Areka town, Southern Ethiopia, Household Food insecurity. DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/88-02 Publication date: April 30th 2021

Blended Fertilizers as Sources of Balanced Nutrients for Growth and Yield of Wheat at Hulla District in Southern Ethiopia

Although a number of blended fertilizers, which contain multi-nutrients, were formulated to be used in different areas of the country, they were not evaluated for their effectiveness in different soils and agro-ecologies. This study was conducted in Hulla district to evaluate two types of blended fertilizers for their effectiveness in boosting wheat yield in the area. The experiment consists of nine treatments including recommended NP (69 kg N + 40 kg P/ha), 200 kg BF1/ha, 200 kg BF2/ha, 200 kg BF1/ha + N adjusted to the recommended rate, 200 kg BF1/ha + P adjusted to the recommended rate, 200 kg BF1/ha + NP adjusted to the recommended rate, 200 kg BF2/ha + N adjusted to the recommended rate, 200 kg BF2/ha + P adjusted to the recommended rate and 200 kg BF2/ha + NP adjusted to the recommended rate. The experiment was laid out in RCB design replicated across five farmers. Wheat (variety Ogolcho), was drilled in rows spaced 20 cm apart. Data including plant height, spike length, total biomass and grain yields (kg ha-1) were collected and analyzed using the SAS statistical package program version 9.0 and means were separated with LSD. Economic analysis was performed to investigate the economic feasibility of the new blended fertilizers for wheat production. Results of data analyses showed that application of BFs alone or with recommended amounts of N and P produced higher results in all parameters as compared to the recommended N and P alone indicating the need for balanced nutrients for wheat production at Hulla. Application of balanced nutrients from blended fertilizers (BF1) by adjusting N and P to the recommended amounts could significantly improve wheat production at Hulla compared to the recommended N and P alone. However, the use of these fertilizers was not economical and as a result 200 kg BF-2 is recommended for wheat production at Hulla. Keywords: blended fertilizers, recommended NP, balanced nutrients, wheat production, nutrient conten

Performance Evaluation of Groundnut Varieties in Eastern Parts of Ethiopia

Groundnut plays an important role as a food as well as cash crop in Ethiopia. Its production in Ethiopia is found to be constrained by several biotic and abiotic factors. To this end, this study was done with the objective of identifying the high yielding, biotic and abiotic resistance or tolerance varieties in 2019. A total of six varieties were evaluated in RCBD. AMMI showed that environments, varieties and their interaction effects were significantly different. The stability and high yielding ability of the varieties has been graphically depicted by the AMMI bi-plot. The variation for seed yield among the varieties for each variety was significant at different environments. Varieties G1 (Bulki), G6 (Babile2) and G4 (Werer962) were specifically adapted to high yielding environments. G2 (Shulamiz) was the most unstable variety. G1 (Bulki) was more stable in comparison to other varieties. In GGE bi-plot; IPCA1 and IPCA2 explained 48.07% and 25.93%, respectively, of groundnut variety by environment interaction and made a total of 74.00% of variation. Therefore, Bulki (1075kg ha-1) and Babile2 (1030kg ha-1) were most stable recommended for the study area and similar agro-ecologies and Fedis was the ideal environment for groundnut production. Keywords: AMMI, G x E interaction, Groundnut DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/102-04 Publication date: November 30th 202

Maize (Zea mays L.) -Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) Intercropping Response to Population Density of Component Crop in Wolaita Zone Southern Ethiopia

Intercropping is the common types of multiple cropping which is taken as one of the best options to increase crop productivity in area with low land holding capacity. For better effectiveness of this cropping system, optimum density of the component crops should be determined. A field experiment was conducted to evaluate the growth and yield performance of maize intercropped with different population density of common bean in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia in 2013/2014. Four ranges of population density (44444 maize ha-1 + 93750 bean ha-1, 44444 maize ha-1 + 62500 bean ha-1, 44444maize ha-1 + 0 bean ha-1 and 0 maize ha-1 + 125000 bean ha-1) were arranged in a randomized complete block design with three replications. There was no significant difference between sole cropped and intercropped maize on crop phenology, days to physiological maturity, growth parameters, yield and yield components. Sole cropped common bean had significantly higher leaf area and leaf area index than intercropped bean. Population density had significant effect on yield of common bean. The analysis of partial land equivalent ratio of the component crops showed that intercropping pattern had significant (P<0.05) effect on the partial land equivalent ratio of the bean component and but not for maize component . Intercropping of maize with common bean having population density of 93750 ha-1 resulted 42% yield advantage. Intercropping of maize with bean having density of 93750 ha-1 had significantly (P<0.05) more economic advantage (36898.2Ebirr) than the rest. From the current investigation it is reasonable to point out that intercropping of maize with bean having density of 93750 ha-1gave both highest agronomic and economic advantage. For better productivity of the intercropping system, further study should be done by considering other factors of production in conjunction with population density of component crops. Keywords: Maize, common bean, population density

Sector Linkages and Industrial Policy Effects on Regional Wheat Value Chain Actors’ Outputs and Consumption in Ethiopia

The article estimates sector linkages, output, income and employment multipliers. It also measures the effects of industrial policy on income and consumption and wheat factory’s outputs in aggregate terms. This study indicates that non-agro processing industry has relatively a weaker linkage with the rest of regional economy. The study found that the impacts, measured by social accounting matrix multiplier analysis, agricultural and service sectors have relatively the highest output, income and employment multipliers. Computable general equilibrium model result indicates that shock injections into regional wheat value chain brought about much higher changes in outputs of wheat producers and wheat processing factories, urban and rural household consumption of wheat and wheat product. The agro-processing industrial policy should be set up on the basis of balanced development of only limited sectors along the value chain to impact the wheat economy significantly and ensure higher productivity in the chains. Keywords: Linkages, industrial policy, multiplier effects, impact, wheat value chai

Evaluation of Soil Test Based Phosphorus Fertilizer Recommendations Under Balanced Nutrient Formulations for Teff and Wheat in Southern Ethiopia

Nutrient depletion through erosion and removal by crops over many years and limited capacity of farmers to invest in fertilizers or soil conservation measures has resulted in very low productivity.  A trial was conducted to evaluate soil test based fertilizer recommendation under balanced fertilization for teff (Eragrostis tef) and wheat production in the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region of Ethiopia during the main cropping season of 2015. The treatments were based on soil test based phosphorus (P) fertilizer recommendation of teff (30 kg P ha-1) and wheat (40 kg P ha-1). Treatments were arranged in a randomized complete block design and replicated across five farms, including 100% P (30 kg ha-1) plus recommend N (64 kg ha-1), 100% P plus balanced fertilizers (NKSZnB), 66 % of P plus balanced fertilizers (NKSZnB), 133 % of P plus balanced fertilizers (NKSZnB) and the agronomic recommendation of  N and P fertilizers (64N + 20P kg ha-1). The proportion of NKSZnB was 63, 17.5, 7.6, 2.23, 0.37 and 69, 25, 11.2, 3.44, 0.5 kg ha-1 for teff and whest, respectively. Except number of tillers, grain yield and biomass of teff not showed statistically significant differences (P < 0.05).  Significantly higher number of tillers was recorded when the critical P-value combined with balanced fertilizers (NKSZnB) in both locations at Bensa and Halaba. Similarly, statistical difference (P < 0.05) was observed between treatments on plant height and spike length of wheat.  Although grain and biomass yields of both crops were not showed statistical difference, but in all cases the trend indicated that high results were obtained from plots treated by the soil test based P recommendation plus the balanced fertilizers. The current study indicated that reconsidering the previous soil test based phosphorus fertilizer recommendation under balanced fertilization is required in order to determine P which can be   apposite with the new soil fertility maps of the region (SNNPRS) and nutrient combinations recommended for each woreda. Keywords: Phosphorus, teff, wheat, use of balanced fertilizers, low productivit