Improving the water productivity of livestock: an opportunity for poverty reductionLength: pp.57-65

LivestockProductivityWater requirementsPoverty

Factors affecting the choices of coping strategies for climate extremes: The case of farmers in the Nile Basin of Ethiopia

This study adopted the multinomial logit model to analyze factors affecting the choice of coping strategies in response to climate extreme events for the Ethiopian Nile River Basin. Results from the multinomial logit model show that different socioeconomic and environmental factors affect coping with climate extreme events. Factors that positively influence coping include education of the head of household, gender of household head being male, farm income, livestock ownership, access to extension for crop and livestock production, farmer-to-farmer extension, temperature, ownership of radio, and better-quality house. Thus, to increase coping with covariate shocks, such as climate extreme events, policies should encourage income generation and asset holding (especially livestock), both of which will support consumption smoothing during and immediately after harsh climatic events. Moreover, government policies should focus on developing institutions that enhance access to education and extension services.climate extremes, coping, Nile Basin, multinomial logit model,

State Dependence and Causal Feedback of Poverty and Fertility in Ethiopia

The paper implements simultaneous random effect models as a means to analyse causality issues related to poverty and fertility in Ethiopia, a country which is plagued by high and persistent poverty and very high fertility rates in rural areas. Using longitudinal data from both urban and rural areas of Ethiopia, we analyse the relationship between childbearing and poverty. In addition to identifying state dependence in poverty and fertility, we investigate to what extent fertility act as a feedback mechanism leading to higher poverty and vice versa. We find that poverty itself has little effect on fertility, whereas there is evidence of state dependence in poverty and important feedback from fertility on future poverty. Not unexpected, we find substantial differences between rural and urban areas.

The bacteriological safety and antimicrobial susceptibility of bacteria isolated from street-vended white lupin (Lupinus albus) in Bahir Dar, Ethiopia

BACKGROUND: Whereas street vended foods are readily available sources of meals for many people across the world, the microbial safety of such food is always uncertain. In developing countries the major sources of food-borne illnesses are street vended foods. The aim of this study was thus to assess the prevalence and antibiogram of bacteria from white lupin in Bahir Dar Town.METHODS: A total of 40 samples were processed for detection of indicator bacteria and pathogens from December, 2011 to February, 2012 using standard bacteriological techniques. Antimicrobial susceptibility test was performed using the Kirby-Bauer disk diffusion method.RESULTS: The total coliform counts were 954.2±385 and 756.2±447.3 at the surface and the core of white lupin, respectively. On the other hand, the fecal coliform counts were 880.9±396.6 and 662.1±461.9 at surface and the core, respectively. There was a statistically significant difference in total colifoms and fecal coliform counts between the surface and core of white lupin (p <0.05). Escherichia coli 29 (72.5%), Salmonella spp. 23 (57.5%) and Shigella spp. 8 (20%) were the pathogens isolated. Most bacterial isolates were resistant to tetracycline, cotriamoxazole and erythromycin whereas many of them were sensitive to chloramphenicol, nalidixic acid, gentamicin and ciprofloxacin. The overall multiple antimicrobial resistances rate was 75%.CONCLUSION: This study revealed contamination of white lupin and a potential health to consumers, and the bacteria isolated showed high rates of multiple drug resistance. Surveillance of antimicrobial resistance should be done on food borne pathogens. In addition, further studies should be conducted on the bacteriological quality of waters used for soaking white lupin.Key Words: Coliforms, antimicrobial resistance, pathogens, white lupi

Effect of sesame cake supplementation on feed intake, body weight gain, feed conversion efficiency and carcass parameters in the ration of sheep fed on wheat bran and teff (Eragrostis teff) straw

Twenty-five yearling growing intact sheep were arranged in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with five treatments and five replications. The experimental animals were supplied teff straw as basal ration. Different levels of sesame cake were supplemented in various treatment groups i.e. T1 (150 gm wheat bran, 0 gm sesame seed cake DM/day) being control group, T2 (150 gm wheat bran, 150 gm sesame seed cake DM/day), T3 (150 gm wheat bran, 200 gm sesame seed cake DM/day), T4 (150 gm wheat bran, 250 gm sesame seed cake DM/day) and T5 (150 gm wheat bran, 300 gm sesame seed cake DM/day). The experiment was conducted for 90 day of feeding trial and 7 days of digestibility trial. There was significant (p . 0.05) increase in total dry matter intake (TDMI), total organic matter intake (Total OMI) and total crude protein intake (Total CPI) with increase in level of supplementation. There was significantly lower (p . 0.05) crude protein (CP) content in the feces of the control group as compared to the different of level sesame seed cake supplemented groups. There was significant difference in DM, OM and CP (p . 0.05) digestibility between supplemented and control groups. The control treatment had significantly higher (p . 0.05) feed conversion ratio than the supplemented treatments and lower (p . 0.05) feed conversion efficiency as compared to the highest level sesame seed cake supplemented group (T5). Higher (p . 0.05) average daily body weight was gained in sheep supplemented with highest level (T5) of sesame seed cake group than the other supplemented groups and the control treatment. There was increasing trend of body weight gain from control to higher level of supplementation i.e. T1 (7.8), T2 (60.0), T3 (63.2), T4 (72.8) and T5 (77.8). There was increasing trend of slaughter weight (SW), empty body weight (EBW), hot carcass weight (HCW), dressing percentage on slaughter weight base and empty body weight base and rib-eye area with increase in supplementation of sesame seed cake being higher (p.0.05) value for T5 followed by T4, T3, T2 and T1. The size of heart, liver with gallbladder, reticulo-rumen, small intestine, total fat, tail, kidney and total edible organic component (TEOC) were significantly (p.0.05) affected by supplementation. Sheep supplemented with sesame seed cake had significantly higher (p.0.05) visceral fat, and tail than the control treatments. There was a significant difference (p.0.05) due to  supplementation on blood, spleen and pancreas, skin, testicle and penis, feet, head without tongue and total non-edible offal component (TNEOC%).The results of the present study showed that supplementation of 300gDM level of sesame seed cake (T5) increased body weight gain and enhanced carcass parameters which is potentially more beneficial and economically feasible than the other levels of supplements and the control group. Strategic feeding with locally available feed resources will improve efficient use of nutrients by sheep

A survey of viral status on potatoes grown in Eritrea and in vitro virus elimination of a local variety ‘Tsaeda embaba’

Potato viruses are the major causes of yield loss and reduction in quality of seed tubers in Eritrea. A study was conducted to investigate the prevalence of viruses in potatoes (Solanum tuberosum L.)grown in Eritrea and to evaluate methods for their elimination. Leaf samples of two indigenous, (Tsaeda embaba and Keyih embaba) and three exotic varieties, (Ajiba, Spunta and Cosmos) were collected fromfields growing potatoes in Maekel and Debub Administrative Zones and tested using the double antibody sandwich enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (DAS ELISA) technique. Five of the six mostimportant potato viruses, PVX, PVY, PLRV, PVS and PVA, were detected in single and multiple infections. Virus elimination techniques were tested using in vitro plantlets of T. embaba establishedfrom field-grown tubers. Presence of PVX, PLRV and PVS was confirmed by ELISA test. The plantlets were then subjected to thermotherapy treatment for one and two weeks at 37oC. The treatment wassuccessful in eliminating only PLRV but failed to eliminate PVX and PVS. When meristem culture was combined with thermotherapy treatment for one week all three viruses PVX, PLRV and PVS wereeliminated with a success rate of 86, 83 and 100%, respectively

Reproductive Characteristics of Abyssinian Jennies Exposed to Stallions and Jackasses

The aim of the study was to describe the intraspecies and interspecies sexual interactions and reproductive features Abyssinian type jennies exposed to jackasses and stallions. Twenty post-pubertal jennies, 3 jackasses and 4 stallions were used in the study. Jennies were divided in to two groups of ten each (stallion group and jack group). PGF2a was used to induce heat. A vasectomized jackass was used to assist heat detection. Jennies in the jack group were bred by two jackasses and jennies in the stallion group were bred by a stallion. Mating was on the 6th and 8th days after PGF2a injection and within the last three days after spontaneous return to heat. The durations of estrus and the estrus cycle were 7.4 ± 0.9 (mean ± SD) and 24.3 ± 2.1 (mean ± SD) days respectively. All jennies were receptive to jackasses but not to stallions. The number of cycles per pregnancy in the intraspecies mating was lower than the number of cycles in the interspecies mating (p < 0.05). The lengths of gestation of jennies in foal with jackasses and a stallion were 370.2 ± 4.5 (mean ± SD) and 330 days respectively. The mating resulted in five donkey foals and a hinny. The study showed that Abyssinian jennies have a high intraspecies reproductive potential but low pregnancy rate and abortion appear limitations in interspecies hybridization.Key words: Hinny, Jackass, Jenny, Reproduction, Stallio

Hydrogeological Investigation and Groundwater Potential Assessment in Haromaya Watershed, Eastern Ethiopia

The paper assesses groundwater quality and productivity in Haromaya watershed, eastern Ethiopia. Continuous pumping test data, collected from seven boreholes was used to determine productivity of the aquifers. 14 water samples were tested for water quality. The aquifers on the basis of permeability, potential and extent of aquifers, are categorized into i) extended and shallow aquifers with intergranular porosity and permeability, and with moderate to high potential (alluvial and lacustrine sediments); ii) limited and shallow aquifers with fracture and/or karstic porosity and permeability, and with moderate potential (sandstone and limestone); and iii) limited and shallow aquifers with intergranular and fracture porosity and permeability, and with low potential (granite). On the basis of chemical data, the water is fresh except in lacustrine and swampy areas. HCO3-, Ca2+, Na+ and Mg2+ are the dominating ions in water from granite, sandstone and alluvium; and Cl and SO4 dominate in water from lacustrine sediments apart from HCO3-, Ca2+, Na+ and Mg2+. Areas suitable for groundwater development in the area are discussed. Keywords: Aquifer, Ethiopia, Groundwater potential, Haromaya, Hydrogeochemistry

Improving the water productivity of livestock: an opportunity for poverty reduction

In Ethiopia, intensification of agricultural production is the primary focus of the government’s poverty reduction strategy. Livestock constitute an invaluable resource providing essential goods and services to small-scale poor farmers and their families and communities. Production of high valued livestock products provides a route out of poverty especially where growing urban demand fuels the markets. Water security is a requisite input for livestock production and its resultant contribution to poverty reduction. Typically, one tropical livestock unit (TLU = 250 kg live weight) requires less than 50 litres/day derived from drinking water and moisture in animal feeds. Assuming annual rainfall of 500 to 1000 mm and a stocking rate of one TLU/ha, the drinking water required by livestock is less than 0.2% of the intercepted precipitation. While sufficient high quality water is essential to sustaining livestock production, direct water intake is only of minor significance in terms of livestock water budgets in farming systems and watersheds where the water required for feed production can be up to 5000 litres/TLU per day or 100 times the amount directly consumed. Water productivity of livestock may be high or low depending on the context within which livestock production is evaluated. Livestock produced solely with irrigated forage and grain crops may be very inefficient in terms of water consumed for food produced. However, ‘cut-and-carry’ and grazing production relying on consumption of crop residues and tree fodder can be very efficient since the water used for plant production would have been used with or without livestock feeding on it. The stover or feed is simply a by-product of growing crops and does not require additional water for its production. Livestock also provide rural farmers with additional value in terms of consumable and marketable outputs without incurring significant demand for water. Understanding and managing water productivity of livestock presents opportunities to contribute to poverty reduction. Water productivity varies according to the geographic scale being considered and depends largely on the degree to which water is depleted or available to other users or ecosystem services. Livestock have a profound impact on downstream water resources. In urban and peri-urban areas, livestock production may be an ideal agricultural practice in terms of water productivity if downstream contamination can be avoided. Increasing demand for livestock products implies increased future demand for water that can be expected to rival the water requirements for production of all other food products consumed by the urban population. In many cases, livestock management practices jeopardise water quality, human health and aggravate water mediated land degradation. Research is needed to develop practical strategies to enable poor people in rural, peri-urban and urban areas to better manage livestock so that they can realise poverty reducing benefits and minimise harmful effects on themselves and others. An utmost need exists for community based natural resources management, a critical issue of interest to water and livestock managers. Given the paucity of literature on livestock–water interactions, key areas for future research are highlighted