Implicit prices of indigenous cattle traits in central Ethiopia: Application of revealed and stated preference approaches

The diversity of animal genetic resources has a quasi-public good nature that makes market prices inadequate indicator of its economic worth. Applying the characteristics theory of value, this research estimated the relative economic worth of the attributes of cattle genetic resources in central Ethiopia. Transaction level data were collected over four seasons in a year and choice experiment survey was done in five markets to generate data on both revealed and stated preferences of cattle buyers. Heteroscedasticity efficient estimation and random parameters logit were employed to analyse the data. The results essentially show that attributes related to the subsistence functions of cattle are more valued than attributes that directly influence marketable products of the animals. The findings imply the strong need to invest on improvement of attributes of cattle in the study area that enhance the subsistence functions of cattle that their owners accord higher priority to support their livelihoods than they do to tradable products

Predictors of early neonatal mortality at a neonatal intensive care unit of a specialized referral teaching hospital in Ethiopia

Background: The larger fraction of infant mortality is that of neonatal; and early neonatal death is the most significant contributor of neonatal mortality as a whole. There are various factors which may be associated with early neonatal mortality and they have been the reasons for the wide variation in mortality rates among the health facilities reporting.Objective: This study was made to assess the independent predictors of early neonatal mortality.Methods: From 2001 through 2005, a total of 3789 live born neonates, who were admitted to the neonatal intensive care unit of Tikur Anbessa Hospital, were included in this study. Variables were classified into two: Socio economic/reproductive factors and maternal/newborn factors. Predictors were assessed using a multivariable binary logistic regression. Variables with a p-value of <0.05 were entered into a multivariable logistic model.Results: From the socio-economic/reproductive variables: age less than one day (AOR=2.53 95% CI= (1.66, 3.85)), having three or more siblings (AOR=2.04, 95% CI= (1.15, 3.64) ), second birth order (AOR=1.79, 95% CI= (1.28, 2.51)), absence of antenatal care (AOR=1.70, 95% CI= (1.28,2.26)), and being unmarried (AOR=1.55 95%CI= (1.20,2.00)) were independent predictors of increased mortality. On the other hand, singleton pregnancy was found to be protective by 30% against early neonatal mortality with an odds of 0.70, 95% CI of (0.54, 0.90). From the neonatal/ maternal variables: gestational age of <32 weeks (AOR= 10.46, 95% CI= (5.39, 20.31)), first minute APGAR of three or less (AOR=2.12, 95% CI= (1.39, 2.23)), presence of any congenital anomaly ( AOR=2.02, 95% CI=(1.33,2.51)), presence of peri-natal asphyxia (AOR=1.82, 95% CI=(1.32,2.51)), any oxygen treatment (AOR=2.65, 95% CI=(1.89,3.72)), birth weight less than 1500 (AOR=9.64, 95%CI=(3.32,27.97)) were independent predictors of neonatal mortality. A normal weight at admission was protective of early neonatal mortality.Conclusion: There are many factors that could have influenced neonatal mortality in the current study. Antenatal care follow up is the key point of contact for planning and managing labor and delivery; it should be improved to control most other variables. The care provided to these high risk babies should also be maximized to reduce mortality in these risk groups

Prevention before intervention: introducing mindfulness-based social-emotional learning in higher education institutions across the United Arab Emirates

In recent years, several studies have indicated that there is a considerable mismatch between the specific set of skills that employers require and the ones that university graduates have to offer. The 2023 report from the World Economic Forum lists 10 core skills that are sought after by global organizations, six of which are categorized under social-emotional learning. As part of its National Employment Strategy 2031, the United Arab Emirates (UAE) aims to build a knowledge-based economy and increase labor productivity. This communicative piece proposes a policy reform across higher education institutions in the United Arab Emirates, seizing as an opportunity the country’s growing commitment to increase talent attraction and retention in the rapidly evolving workplace. Seeing the significant association between social-emotional competencies and thriving in dynamic professional settings, the article highlights the prevalence of mental health disorders among the general youth in the UAE, the government’s commitment towards awareness and prevention of mental health disorders, the relevance of social-emotional competencies for employability and adaptability in the rapidly evolving workplace, the importance of introducing lessons and training in mindfulness-based social-emotional learning (MBSEL) to build the youth’s adaptability in an ever-changing job landscape, and practical measures that can be taken at the institutional level within the UAE context

Crossing the Rift valley: using complete mitogenomes to infer the diversification and biogeographic history of ethiopian highlands Ptychadena (anura: Ptychadenidae)

The Ethiopian Highlands are considered a biodiversity hotspot, harboring a high number of endemic species. Some of the endemic species probably diversified in situ; this is, for example, the case of a monophyletic clade containing 12 known species of grass frogs of the genus Ptychadena. The different species occur at elevations ranging from 1,500 to above 3,400 m and constitute excellent models to study the process of diversification in the highlands as well as adaptations to high elevations. In this study, we sampled 294 specimens across the distribution of this clade and used complete mitogenomes and genome-wide SNP data to better understand how landscape features influenced the population structure and dispersal of these grass frogs across time and space. Using phylogenetic inference, population structure analyses, and biogeographic reconstructions, we found that the species complex probably first diversified on the south-east side of the Great Rift Valley. Later on, species dispersed to the north-west side, where more recent diversification occurred. We further demonstrate that Ptychadena species have dispersed across the Great Rift Valley at different times. Our analyses allowed for a more complete understanding of the contribution of geological events, biogeographic barriers and climatic changes as drivers of species diversification and adaptation in this important biogeographic region

Targeting drought-tolerant maize varieties in southern Africa: a geospatial crop modeling approach using big data

Maize is a major staple food crop in southern Africa and stress tolerant improved varieties have the potential to increase productivity, enhance livelihoods and reduce food insecurity. This study uses big data in refining the geospatial targeting of new drought-tolerant (DT) maize varieties in Malawi, Mozambique, Zambia, and Zimbabwe. Results indicate that more than 1.0 million hectares (Mha) of maize in the study countries is exposed to a seasonal drought frequency exceeding 20% while an additional 1.6 Mha experience a drought occurrence of 10–20%. Spatial modeling indicates that new DT varieties could give a yield advantage of 5–40% over the commercial check variety across drought environments while crop management and input costs are kept equal. Results indicate a huge potential for DT maize seed production and marketing in the study countries. The study demonstrates how big data and analytical tools enhance the targeting and uptake of new agricultural technologies for boosting rural livelihoods, agribusiness development and food security in developing countries

Role of institutional and socio-economic factors on adoption, dis-adoption and non-adoption of soil and water conservation technologies: Empirical evience from the North Western Ethiopia highlands.

ABSTRACT In order to combat land degradation in the form of water erosion and fertility depletion in the Central Rift Valley (CRV) of Ethiopia farmers are of crucial importance. If they perceive land degradation as a problem they will be more willing to invest in land management measures. This study presents farmers’ perceptions of land degradation, respective investments, and factors influencing their investments in land. In this study, water erosion and fertility depletion are taken as main indicators of land degradation. Results show that farmers perceive water erosion and soil fertility depletion as problems that have intensified over the last decade. However, despite awareness of these problems, farmers’ investments to control soil erosion and soil fertility depletion are very limited. This study shows that the major factors that positively influence farmers’ investments in land management practices are households’ resource endowments, access to information, social capital and availability of family labor. For sustainable land management strategies this implies that these should (i) be integrated within a comprehensive rural development strategy that generates improvements of farmers’ livelihoods and their financial capacity, (ii) trigger social capital and create enabling conditions for farmers to participate in different groups, cross site visits and farmer-to-farmer experience sharing, and (iii) stimulate collective action within the villages in order to enhance access to labor which is crucial for carrying out land management practices. Key words: Land degradation, farmers’ investments, sustainable land management, socioeconomic factors, factor analysi