Research and development capacity building issues in the water sector of Ethiopia

Water managementInstitutional development

Transgenic Biotechnology in Animals and its Medical Application: Review

Genetically modified organisms are not really recent phenomena: thousands of years of selection have led to the domestication of many animal and plant species. However, with the modern methods of genetic engineering and biotechnology, it was possible to cross the interspecific barriers and create transgenic organisms with newly acquired properties. In this over view, we attempted to discuss different aspects of producing transgenic animals by microinjection procedure, use of transposons and use of intermediate cells like pluripotent cells, primordial germ cells and testis stem cells and somatic cell nuclear transfer. Typical medical application includes ;as a source of biologically active proteins, as donors in xenotransplantation, as disease models for the development of new treatments, antibody production in transgenic animals, blood replacement and for a research in cell and gene therapy. Despite having these applications, there are many pressing problems that need to be resolved for transgenic animal studies. Ethical considerations regarding animal biotechnology reveal that people are concerned about the purpose of the applications, the methods of research, long term impact on human health. Among the world’s largest religions, there are very few clear-cut taboos prohibiting animal biotechnology, although ethical implications can be drawn from the general role of animals within the religious tradition and from beliefs and practices that address animal care and use, animal breeding, and human diet. In conclusion, transgenic animals can resolve serious problems of human health. However, continuous researches are required to break suspects on using transgenic animals with the oversight of respective governments. Keywords: Biomedicine, DNA Microinjection, Ethical Consideration, Genetic   Engineering, Xenotransplantation

Isolation, Identification and Drug Resistance Profile of salmonella from Apparently Healthy Cattle Slaughtered at Wolaita Sodo Municipality Abattoir, Ethiopia

The muscle (meat) of a healthy animal is sterile. Contamination may be due to infection within the animal or external contamination during slaughter and handling processes. High bacterial load on carcasses may pose potential risk of meat contamination with Foodborne pathogens. A cross-sectional observational study was undertaken in Wolaita Sodo municipal abattoir from November, 2015 to April, 2016 for isolation, identification and drug susceptibility of salmonella from cattle. Methods followed in the Study were ISO 6579: 2002 procedures for Salmonella isolation which included pre-enrichment, Selective enrichment, plating out and confirmatory tests. Accordingly, the overall 16/300 (5.3%) prevalence of Salmonella was revealed at abattoir. A total of 100 healthy slaughtered cattle’s were systematically collected and examined for the presence of Salmonella following the standard techniques and procedures. Out of the total of 300 samples, 16 (5.3%) were positive to Salmonella. Of all isolates, 13 (81.25%) were multiple antimicrobial resistant and highest level of resistance was observed for ampicillin (56.25%), cefoxitin (43.75%), chlorophenicol (37.5), kanamycin (35.5). Keywords:Abattoir, Antimicrobial resistance, Cattle, identification, Isolation, Salmonell

The Impact of Urban Expansion on Physical Environment in Debre Markos Town, Ethiopia

This study aims to investigate the major consequence of urban expansion in urban areas particularly in Debre Markos town with review of relevant literatures. The finding of the paper was presented by using charts, table, graphs, and figures. This study shows that Debre Markos town is one of Ethiopian urban settings experiencing unique rate of urbanization through expansion. The findings of the study showed that the trend of urban expansion increase from time to time mostly forest and cultivated land have been changed into different urban development uses such as residential, industrial, and commercial and other various institutions. The central factors that contribute to rapid expansion of the town are discussed with detail interpretation of the data. The adverse effects of rapid urban expansion on the natural (physical) environment due to land use change and in the town and nearby areas discussed in detail. Hence, the objective of this study was to assess the consequence of horizontal urban expansion on physical environment but for the future study it is necessary to focus on social and economic impacts. Keywords: urbanization, urban expansion, environmental degradation, environment, DOI: 10.7176/CER/11-5-03 Publication date:June 30th 201

Analysis of Smallholder Farmers' Seed Utilization Trends for Major Cereal Crops During the 'Meher' Season in Ethiopia

Seed is a key input for improving crop production and productivity. However, in Ethiopia, like other many developing countries, farmers have not yet been able to fully benefit from the advantages of using improved seed. This review paper was aimed at to reviewing the trend of improved seeds utilization for the major cereal crops (Tef, Maize, Wheat, Barley and Sorghum) in Ethiopia. The trend for improved seed used by the smallholder farmers in the year 2004/05 and 2020/2021 ‘Meher’ cropping season at national and regional levels was assessed. For each year cropping Meher season and each crop type, national and regional data on the total number of households (hhs); the number of hhs who used improved and/or local seed; the total area sown; and the area covered with improved and local seed were obtained from the annual report on farm management practices by the Central Statistical Agency (CSA) of Ethiopia. For each crop, the compounded annual growth rate (CAGR) of seed used was estimated by transforming the exponential trend model to semi-logarithm trend function. The results revealed that the CAGRs for the number of hhs that used improved seed for major cereal crops, and the area a particular crop covered with improved seed were positive at national level, which indicated an increasing trend in improved seed used. However, the results also revealed that the CAGRs for the number of hhs that used local seed for cereal crops and the area covered for a particular crop with local seed were also positive except maize and barley. Depending on the type of the crop, improved seed users increased at CAGR of 3.11% (sorghum) to 21.66% (Tef). Similarly, the area covered by improved seed increased at CAGR of 1.47% (sorghum) to 18.74% (Tef).  The amount of improved seed used increased at CAGR of 3.17% (sorghum) to 16.58% (maize). Depending up on the type of crop, local seed users increased at CAGR of 0.08% (barley) to 2.65% (sorghum). Similarly, area covered by local seed increased at a CAGR of -1.43% (maize) to 2.84% (sorghum).  The amount of local seed used increased at CAGR of 0.07% (maize) to 3.94% (sorghum). Generally, there is an increasing trend towards utilization of improved seeds as compared to local seed for all major crops, except sorghum. Keywords: Cereal crops, Compounded annual growth rates, improved seed, Local seed, Seed use trend, Smallholder farmers. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/13-12-01 Publication date:July 31st 202

Economic Efficiency of Smallholder Farmers in Teff Production: The Case of Enemay District, East Gojjam Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Agriculture remains to be the most important sector of the Ethiopian economy and teff is one of the dominant crops which is produced at less efficient level in the study area. This means that it is possible to obtain additional output from existing inputs used, if resource are properly used and efficiently allocated. The aim of this study was to assess the economic efficiency of smallholder teff producers and identify factors affecting efficiency of smallholder farmers in teff production of Enemay District, Amhara Regional State of Ethiopia. A two-stage sampling technique was employed to select 197 sample farmers who were interviewed using a structured schedule to obtain data pertaining to teff production during 2018/2019 production season. Cobb-Douglas production function was fitted using stochastic production frontier approach to estimate technical, allocative and economic efficiency levels, whereas Tobit model was used to identify factors affecting efficiency levels of the sample farmers. The estimated results showed that the mean technical, allocative and economic efficiencies were 81%, 11% and 9%, respectively which indicates the significant inefficiency in teff production in the study area. Among factors hypothesized to determine the level of efficiencies, education, soil fertility, credit and teff production experience were the positively significant determinants of technical and economic efficiencies of teff producing farmers; while frequency of extension contact had a positive relationship with technical efficiency. In addition, cultivated land determined farmers’ technical, allocative and economic efficiencies negatively and significantly. Whereas distance to market determined technical and economic efficiencies negatively. The result indicated that there is a room to increase the efficiency of teff producers in the study area. Hence, emphasis should be given to improve the efficiency level of those less efficient farmers by adopting the practices of relatively efficient farmers in the area. Beside this, policies and strategies of the government should be directed towards the above mentioned determinants. Keywords: Teff, efficiency, Cobb-Douglas, Stochastic frontier, Tobit DOI: 10.7176/JAAS/68-04 Publication date:September 30th 202

Early Marriage: Trends, Causes, Consequences and Prospects in Selected Kebeles of East Gojjam Administrative Zone, Amhara National Regional State

This study examined the causes, consequences, trends and prospects of early marriage in Yenebrna and Graram kebeles by collecting primary data from 163 participants (112 respondents, 8 key informants and 42 focus group discussants) in addition to extensive review of secondary sources. It employed simple random sampling technique to collect quantitative data and purposive sampling technique to collect qualitative one using two research designs: cross sectional and approximating cross sectional with longitudinal research designs. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, and thematic and content analysis The findings showed that all children born in the study kebeles are forced to marry in their early childhoods by their parents. Yet, unlike to the usual case in which early marriage of females occurs in many societies, the studied communities practice early marriage for boys and girls without any level of distinction and irrespective of their differential levels of knowledge about its ill effects. The practice of early marriage is taken for granted as a normal way of life increasingly resulting in marriage of children of all ages of every family before they reach age 18. It is also found that early married children face a number of problems: fear to play with their peers both in and out of the school; reduced confidence and school dropout. Economic and cultural reasons, and peer influence are the main reasons for parents to marry their children while all children accept their parents’ decisions as a matter of good conduct; immaturity to decide on their life and socio-economic deprivation. Unlike to parents of other Ethiopian societies following Orthodox Christian religion who marry their children, at least theoretically, unto their death, all parents in the studied communities marry their children with full knowledge of their divorce. Unless continuous and appropriate awareness raising interventions aimed to bring behavioral changes accompanied by practical actions of forbidding early marriage were put in place, it is impossible to break age old inbuilt social facts of early marriage in the studied communities. Reducing the practice, therefore, requires not only creation of greater proportion of community members who condemn the practice but also practically interventions aimed at stopping early marriage for some 3-5 consecutive years through concerted action of all

Prevalence of Self Reported Computer Vision Syndrome and Associated Factors among Secretaries and Data Processors Who are Working in University of Gondar, Ethiopia

Computers have become an indispensible part of modern life, being used in every aspect of life. This technological advancement has ushered in a new genre of occupational health problem. Computer Vision Syndrome is a condition that affects millions of people globally. This study investigated the prevalence of Self Reported Computer Vision Syndrome (CVS) and associated factors among secretaries and data processors who are working in university of Gondar, Ethiopia. This institution based cross sectional study was based on 284 study participants from the 1st May to 15th June 2004. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression was used to estimate odds ratio and 95% confidence interval. The prevalence of Computer Vision Syndrome among respondents was 73.9%. Secretaries and data processers used computers for > 7 hours per-day were 2 times more likely to have suffered from CVS as compared to those who used computers < 7 hours per-day (OR=2; 95%CI: 1.14 – 3.51). Prevalence of CVS was high among the study participants. Age and working hours spent on computer use are independent predictors of CVS. Further studies on a large scale should be carried out to explore the extent and factors associated with CVS. Keywords: Computer Vision Syndrome, University of Gondar, Working hour’s per-da

Determination of the Volume of Flow Equalization Basin in Wastewater Treatment System

The function of a wastewater treatment plant is to improve the quality of wastewater by removing suspended organic and inorganic solids and other materials before discharging it into a waterway. In treating wastewater, the rate at which the wastewater arrives at the treatment process might vary dramatically during the day, so it is convenient to equalize the flow before feeding it to the various treatment steps. Flow equalization is a process of controlling flow velocity and flow composition. It is necessary in many municipal an industrial treatment processes to dampen severe variation inflow and water quality. Providing consistent flow and loading to a biological process is important to maintain optimal treatment. Equalization basins are designed to provide consistent influent flow to downstream processes by retaining high flow fluctuations. Due to the additional retention time, aeration and mixing is required to prevent the raw wastewater from becoming septic and to maintain solids in suspension.  Generally flow equalization is provided for dampening of flow rate variations so that a constant or nearly constant flow rate is achieved. Keywords: Equalization, Dampen, BOD, Inline Flow, aeratio