Determinants of National Saving in Ethiopia

This research investigates the determinants of national saving in Ethiopia over the period 1984-2014. The main objective of the study is to identify the major factors that determine national saving in Ethiopia. The ordinary least square estimation method was used to arrive at the results of the study. The result of the long run and short run models revealed that Real Gross Domestic product, investment, consumption and inflation have shown similar relationship in both models. Real Gross Demotic product is the only factor which affects national saving significantly and positively. Other factors, which positively affect national saving, are not much significant. Example, investment, consumption and inflation are factors which affects national saving both positively and in significantly in the end. Keywords: GDP, National Saving, VEC, Long run DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/11-9-02 Publication date:May 31st 202

Effect of NAA on Ex vitro Rooting of In vitro Derived Microshoots of Elite Sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) Genotypes

Root formation of rootless in vitro microshoots can be induced ex vitro with auxin during ex vitro acclimatization period to shorten the procedure and to reduce plantlet production cost of micropropagation. Hence, this study was carried out using a completely randomized design to determine the effect of different concentrations of auxin (0, 10, 20, 30, 40 mg/l) on ex vitro root development of sugarcane microshoots. The basal end of the shoots was dipped in auxin solution overnight before the shoots were transferred into a plastic tray containing a mixed growing medium in green house. The results showed that for genotype N52, best root formation was found on the shoots treated with 20 mg/l NAA by which rooting frequency was 76% with 5.88±0.04 cm root length and 8.06±0.13 number of roots per plantlets. While in genotype N53 maximum root formation was recorded on the shoots dipped in 30 mg/l NAA by which rooting frequency was 70% with 5.42±0.11cm root length and 4.52±0.19 number of roots per plantlets. Shoots rooted through this method exhibited 100 % survival in both genotypes. Keywords: Microshoot, ex vitro, Auxin, in vitro, Acclimatizatio

Practices and Challenges of Active Learning Methods in Mathematics Classes of Upper Primary Schools

The purposes of this study were to explore the nature of the teaching-learning process in line with active learning methods (ALMs) and to identify the major challenges hindering the implementation of these approaches in mathematics classes of upper primary schools. Both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection were employed. Random sampling technique for students and availability sampling technique for teachers were used. 25 mathematics teachers and 710 students were involved in the study. Questionnaires, lesson observation, and focus groups discussion were the data gathering instruments used. The quantitative data obtained were analyzed using frequency, percentages & mean values. The qualitative data were analyzed by narrating the information obtained from the data. Questioning method, group work, gap lecture, cooperative learning, and individual work were the methods used commonly by the teachers. Large class size; the amount of content to be covered; lack of instructional materials; lack of administrative support; and that it took too much effort from teachers are main challenges that hinder the application of ALMs in the classrooms. Based on the findings, different recommendations are forwarded to address those problems and to improve the use of ALMs in mathematics in the study area. Keywords: Active learning, challenges of active learning, mathematics, student centered DOI: 10.7176/JEP/11-13-04 Publication date:May 31st 202

The Nexus of Bank Liquidity and Profitability: Evidence from Commercial Banks in Ethiopia

The study attempted to examine the effect of liquidity on performance of commercial banks in Ethiopia for the period 2004-2016. Liquidity risk is considered as one of the serious concern and challenge for the modern era banks. A bank having good asset quality, strong earnings and sufficient capital may fail if it is not maintaining adequate liquidity. During the recent global financial crisis, several banks experienced some difficulties because they failed to manage liquidity in prudent manner. Thus, the unique feature of the study was inclusion of more liquidity measures and assessment six sampled banks. Both descriptive and explanatory research design is used. Secondary data mainly audited financial statements are used to observe the effect of bank liquidity measures over bank performance. Convenience sampling method is used to select banks in the study. Both descriptive and econometric data analysis tools are applied. The finding of the study reveals that LATD and TLTD were significant at 1% level of significance on bank performance—NIM. These variables have a negative effect on bank performance measure. Except the CR measurement, the remaining explanatory variables hypotheses are rejected on the ground. Based on the findings of the study, banks are advised to be very cautious while disbursing loan and mobilizing liquid assets

Comparative Study of Cyanobacteria of Desert and Semi-Desert Crusts of Two Different Continents: Africa (Ethiopa) and North America (Usa)

Cyanobacterial flora of microbiotic crusts of the Ethiopian Rift Valley System and the Great Basin in Idaho and Oregon were studied. Nine species of cyanobacteria were identified and morphologically characterized from the microbiotic crusts of the Rift Valley in Ethiopia. These included one species of Chroococcales, five species of Oscillatoriales, and three species of Nostocales. Similar studies were made for the microbiotic crusts of the Great Basin of Idaho and Oregon. A total of six morphospecies were morphologically characterized and identified, three species of Oscillatoriales, and three in Nostocales, were recorded in the regions. The cyanobacterial flora of the two continents was compared based on their molecular and morphological differences. Partial sequence data of the 16S rRNA gene (̃85 ) (Small sub-unit rRNA gene) and the 16S-23S ITS (Internal Transcribed Spacer) genes were obtained for all taxa from the Rift System and for selected morphospecies of cyanobacteria of the Great Basin. Based on the sequence data provided, morphospecies of cyanobacteria of the two continents tend to show variation in their phylogeny. The ITS regions of morphospecies of cyanobacteria of the two continents were also compared in relation to the D1-D1\u27, V2, and box B helices. Based on morphological, ecophysiological and molecular data four new species of cyanobacteria were defined from microbiotic crusts of the Rift Valley of Ethiopia. Among these new species, one belongs to Chroococcales, one belongs to Oscillatoriales, and two belong to Nostocale

Forest property rights, the role of the state, and intitutional exigency

The assumed reasons provided for the current grim situation in Ethiopian forestry are diverse. This study identified forest property rights as the most important (defining) research entry point to understand the problem. The aim was to generate knowledge by studying past experiences and contemporary outcomes in forest property rights and draw lessons for the future. Moreover, through interviews, the study attempted to capture the experiences and perceptions, responses and preferences (in forest property rights) of the involved forest communities and forestry experts. The thesis presents a brief history of the Ethiopian forests followed by the research problems, the research objectives and questions, methods and tools. Contending theories of the State, civil society, public policy formation, and property rights over natural resources are examined to guide the study. The institutional changes in forest property rights regimes particularly from 1936 until the present are covered; and the relevant legal documents pertinent to forest property rights are analysed. The study also includes the historical and contemporary situation of three case studies from Ethiopia where community views and preferences are presented and discussed. At the end of the thesis the main findings are summarized; an attempt is made to conclude the study by providing some thoughts in light of the theoretical settings and the country’s experience in forest property rights arrangements. The findings showed that in the past one hundred years forest property regimes have changed from the one to the other, each time resulting in alienating communities and generating conflicts between the latter and the State. From late 19th century and more between 1942 and 1974 the State’s generous distribution of natural forests created individual property rights regimes over large tracts of forests hitherto unparalleled. For the reasons provided in the text the State failed to regulate the utilization of private and State forests ensuing widespread deforestation. The 1975 nationalization act and the subsequent policies further alienated communities and instigated conflicts that grew in scale and intensity. At present conflicts over forest resources have become a defining factor in the relationship between the State and communities around forests. The study indicated that when the State acted against the villages, the latter moved “against” the resource. Property rights institutions shape individual actions and expectations, regulate relations between individuals and between the latter and the physical resource. The formation and maintenance of such institutions have always been the primary public task of an authority system, the political State. Where the latter failed in its task it was inevitable that resource depletion occurred, something that still happens today. Forest property rights in Ethiopia remained politically instigated, unjust, ill defined, and insecure. Such circumstances invited conflicts among resource users, particularly between the State and communities. And the conflicts not only consumed resources, but also became incompatible with forestry development in the country. The future of forestry and stable property rights regimes are closely interwoven