Factors that affect adoption of Weather index insurance and its intensity: The case of Kola Tembien wereda, Tigray Northern Ethiopia

Weather index micro insurance mechanisms are highly recognized as preferable ways to finance the drought risk. The objective of this paper is to analyze factors that affect adoption of weather index insurance and to examine the amount of insurance in Kola Tembien-wereda of Tigray Region. The study uses Heckman two- stage model to examine this issue. First, we determine the factors which affect the weather index insurance adoption decisions and at the second stage we focus on the amount of insurance purchase using Heckman-Two-Stage estimation procedure. The data for this study is based on the survey data by HARITA project from Kola-Tembien wereda of central Tigray. Heckman suggests a two stage estimation method to correct the bias as a result of self-selection in the decision and outcome models. In the first stage of the model, the decision equation is the household’s decision to adopt or not to adopt WII which will be estimated based on the probit model. In the second stage, only the households having adopted WII have been used. The result indicate that marital status of the household head affects negatively, PSNP participation, number of oxen owned, Perception about drought incidence were found to be affecting the WII adoption positively and significant. Regarding the amount of insurance purchase education, rain fed land owned, Type of Hutsa soil were found both positive and significant

The Exercise of Decentralized Local Governance Process in Gulomekeda Woreda, Tigray Region, Ethiopia

With the coming to an end of the Cold War period in Africa people became familiar and aware of citizenship rights and obligations. They were better educated and well informed about the existing socio-economic and political conditions of their states and become in need to participate in public affairs but were constrained by the existing structures of governance. As part of the global move, initiation and accreditation of decentralized governance the Ethiopian government had also focused on decentralization of its administration to ensure locally driven development since 1991 in a formal way (Yilmaz &Venugopal, 2008; Abrham, 2011; Tilahun, 2014). The first was decentralization of powers and functions of the state to autonomous regional governments (Tilahun, 2014). However many states like Ethiopia have been witnessed challenged in bringing effective in socioeconomic development. Therefore this research undertaking is made to assess the exercise of local governance in ensuring community participation in Gulomekeda woreda as a focus of study. To come up with the required data pertinent to the research undertaking qualitative research methodology was employed. To select the sample respondents for the research both probability and non probability sampling designs were used. First to select the three sample Kebeles out of the 19 in the woreda the researcher had employed simple random sampling and particularly lottery method. Where as to select key informants and interviewees from different local institutions (Woreda and Kebele council members, woreda officials), and civic associations like (Woreda and Kebele women associations, youth associations at woreda and Kebele levels)   the researcher had employed purposive sampling and particularly judgmental sampling technique. . So that to ensure effective community participation in local governance, political commitment the ruling party, capacity building practices both at woreda and kebele levels are recommended. Keywords: Gulomekeda woreda, Decentralization, local governance, Kebel

Spatial variation in biodiversity, soil degradation and productivity in agricultural landscapes in the highlands of Tigray, northern Ethiopia

There is a growing concern about food security and sustainability of agricultural production in developing countries. However, there are limited attempts to quantify agro-biodiversity losses and relate these losses to soil degradation and crop productivity, particularly in Tigray, Ethiopia. In this study, spatial variation in agro-biodiversity and soil degradation was assessed in 2000 and 2005 at 151 farms in relation to farm, productivity, wealth, social, developmental and topographic characteristics in Tigray, northern Ethiopia. A significant decrease in agro-biodiversity was documented between 2000 and 2005, mainly associated with inorganic fertilizer use, number of credit sources and proximity to towns and major roads. Agro-biodiversity was higher at farms with higher soil fertility (available P and total N) and higher productivity (total caloric crop yield). Low soil organic matter, few crop selection criteria and steep slopes contributed to soil erosion. Sparsely and intensively cultivated land use types, as determined from satellite images, were associated with high and low agro-biodiversity classes, respectively, as determined during on-farm surveys in 2005. This study gives insight into the recent changes in and current status of agro-biodiversity and soil degradation at different spatial scales, which can help to improve food security through the maintenance of agro-biodiversity resource

An Assessment of the Effectiveness of the Local Governance in Ensuring Educational Development: Explaining the Public Attitude

In carrying out the research an attempt is made to assess the attitudes of the public concerning to the effectiveness of the local government in dealing with educational sector development from local governance perspective in Gulomekeda woreda. To come up with the required data pertinent to the research undertaking quantitative research methodology was employed. To select the sample respondents for the research both probability and non probability sampling designs were used. The research finding shows that the local government is effective in educational equity and access where as facing limitations in ensuring quality and efficiency. Therefore stakeholders’ participation, ensuring democratic school leadership based on meritocracy and minimizing the risk of poverty in the area is recommended to deal with the limitations. Keywords: Education, Local Governance, Public Attitud

Integration of allotment garden in public green space for the social wellbeing of urban residents

Background: Agriculture is among the relevant factors for the formation of cities and it has been an integral part of city life throughout history. Despite the increase in population growth, urban agriculture can offer a unique opportunity for improving the livelihood of individuals through the practice of growing food in urban green spaces. Nevertheless, maintaining urban green spaces as part of the urban fabric presents a unique challenge in an environment where there is a shortage of housing and urban space is limited for development. Allotment gardens might be seen as compensation for the lack of green space and private gardens in cities, especially in dense urban areas. However, due to the long waiting list for renting out, not everyone can get access to growing locally cultivated food and other benefits, especially people who are less privileged and cannot afford private gardens. Objective: The aim of this thesis, therefore, was to design a proposal for urban green space, Ekebydalen, to show how to integrate allotment gardening with other social activities. Also, as an input to the proposal, the history of allotment gardens and the theory of sustainable wellbeing was reviewed, and local public participation was investigated. Method: Literature was extensively reviewed in an attempt to identify relevant studies and better understand the context and characteristics of allotment gardens from a social and environmental context, the change in its land use, and accessibility; all in the perspective of the general development of urban agriculture and specifically in allotment movement through history in Sweden. Moreover, Site observation was conducted in a purposely selected allotment garden, Ekebydalen, Uppsala city. Also, an online and paper-based self-administered cross-sectional survey was done among 40 participants. Result: 6 different allotment gardens were observed and characterized. Based on the case study (observation), the Ekebydalen allotment garden was chosen as the main site for further pro-posal development. (60%) of the respondents in the survey were middle-aged (30 -50 years old) women (77.5%), most of them with university education (88%) and Swedish background (90%). Despite the participants has reported living in close proximity to the gardens, around a fourth of them reported having waited for more than six months. Gardening and nature interest (100%), socializing (15%), food complement (62%), and maintaining wellbeing (65%) are the motivation for renting allotment gardens. Conclusion: This thesis argues that the economic and wellbeing values of allotment gardens are perceived as highly significant compared to the social benefit that is allegedly seen less. Nevertheless, the social value can be seen as equally important if integrated as an activity with other social activities in a city, especially in urban communities that don’t have enough space for gardening and are caught in their busy lives. Moreover, a design strategy was proposed to show how the allotment garden can be integrated as an activity for cultivation and recreation use (Cultivation park). This thesis has also implied that policy support, institutional recognition, and strong political will from policymakers and planners are required to bring urban agriculture into city planning for improving the quality of life for the people living and working in cities

The Carcass and Non-Carcass Parameters of Local Sheep Supplemented With Concentrate Mixture, Atella, Faidherbia albida leaf and Sesbania sesban leaf

The experiment was conducted to determine the supplemental value of concentrate mixture of 75% wheat bran and 25% Sesame seed cake (T1), Atella (T2), Faidherbia albida leaf (T3) and Sesbania sesban leaf (T4) on carcass and non-carcass parameters using twenty four yearling intact local male sheep with mean initial body weight (IBW) of 18 ±1.55 kg (mean ± SD). Randomized complete block design was used for the experiment and sheep were blocked into six based on IBW. Sheep within block were randomly assigned to treatments. The experiment was conducted for 90 days (feeding trial) after 15 days acclimatization period. The amount of supplements offered were 300 (T1), 330 (T2), 360 (T3) and 280 (T4) g/day on DM basis, each calculated to supply 73.6 g/day crude protein (CP). The carcass and non-carcass parameters were evaluated at the end of the experiment. Hot carcass weight ranged from 9.75 kg to 11 kg. Most carcass parameters (slaughter weight, empty body weight, hot carcass weight, dressing percentage, rib-eye muscle area, fore-leg, hind-leg, ribs with muscle, sternum and neck) followed similar trends like average daily gain (ADG), in which these parameters were higher in T1 and lower in T3; however T1 and T3 were similar with T2 and T4. Key Words: dressing percentage, edible offals, hot carcass weight, local sheep, non-edible offals, slaughter weight

Merit Based Human Resource Management Practices: Case of Tigray National Regional State

Successful merit based human resource management is a corner stone to build government institutions during the implementation of public policies and strategies, which in turn has an impact on the development performance of the country. In the course of the study we explored and assessed the factors that affect the implementation of merit based HRM in relation to recruitment, selection and promotion. Descriptive and exploratory research types were applied and the relevant data were collected from both primary and secondary sources by using key informant interviews, questionnaire and document analysis. The analysis and finding of the study shows that, in professionalizing the civil service, the city administration was not successful, there was a merit distortion and lack of neutrality to attract qualified, experienced, competent and effective civil servant and the recruitment and selection committee lacks the knowledge and experience in the recruitment, selection and promotion procedures. Besides, there was lack of exam security and nepotism as well as officials and human resource manager’s involvement in merit based recruitment and selection which are the manifestations of corrupt practice and unnecessary political interference. Therefore, the recommendation forwarded is that, governments should have to take a remedial action to avoid the distortion of merit principles and it must ensure the creation of a neutral policy implementer civil service, the application of merit based recruitment, selection and promotion should be free from unnecessary political interference and it must be supported by legal framework and documentation, and the civil servant selected for promotion should be of the most meritorious one who is able and ready to perform duties at a higher rank based on his/her job performance

Assessment of the level of chromium species in the discharged effluents of Haik and Debre Berhan tanneries in the Amhara Region using ICP-OES and UV-VIS spectrometry

The purpose of this study was to assess the level of chromium species in the discharged effluents of selected tanneries in the Amhara Region; Haik and Debre Berhan tanneries. The level of total chromium, and hexavalent chromium in the discharged effluent of the studied tanneries were determined using the ICP-OES, and UVVis spectrometry, respectively. The level of trivalent chromium species in the samples was then estimated by difference. Recovery results in the range 96.3 to 103.3% verified the applicability of the methods for the determination of the chromium species in the effluent samples. One way ANOVA statistical analysis was used to check whether the results between sampling months were statistically different or not. The mean concentration of Chromium (VI) before and after treatment in the effluent of Haik tannery was 0.618±0.076 and 0.123±0.064 ppm while in the effluent of Debre Berhan tannery, 0.070±0.009 and 0.039±0.005 ppm, respectively. Similarly, the average total chromium concentration before and after treatment in the discharged effluents of Haik and Debre Berhan tannery was 4,772.3±2.4 and 392.7±1.7 ppm, and 512.8±1.1 and 325.0±0.3 ppm, respectively. Although the average levels of chromium species over the sampling times looked not much higher than the permitted levels, some of the results indicated that the factories release effluent which is extremely loaded with chromium species including the most toxic form of chromium (hexavalent chromium). The assessment results in general showed the pollution of the river waters into which the studied tanneries are discharging their effluent.Key Words/Phrases: Debre Berhan tannery, Inductively coupled plasma-optical emission spectrometry, Diphenylcarbazide, Recovery study, Tannery effluent, UV-Visible spectrophotometr