Determinants of Small Holder Rural Farm Households’ Participation in Small Scale Irrigation in Western Ethiopia, in Case of Assosa District in Assosa Zone (Heckman Two-Stage Model)

Increasing technology adoption including irrigation among smallholder farmers has a big potential to uplift living standards of poor through increasing production and consumption pattern. The objective of this study was analyzing determinant of smallholder farmer participation in small scale irrigation and its intensification in western Ethiopia, in case of Assosa district in Assosa Zone. The study used data from 329 respondents from six selected kebeles of Assosa woreda in Assosa zone, through structured questioner. The descriptive statistics and Heckman two stage econometric methods were employed to analyze data collected from sampled household. The significance of coefficient of inverse Mill’s ratio (l) indicates the presence of selection bias and the effectiveness of applying Heckman two stage model. In the first stage of probit regression results of study show that the adoption decision of small scale irrigation use were driven by factors such as sex of the head, education, farm size, attend training at farmer training center, distance to irrigation, credit use, total livestock unit, ethnicity, active labor and development agent advice significantly determine participation in small scale irrigation. In the second stage, the intensification of small scale irrigation use was influenced by family size, credit use, ethnicity of farm household head and lambda. The policies which expand the accessibility of credit service, dissemination of productive agricultural technology information, and creating opportunity of education for farm household has potential to increase the chance of small scale irrigation adoption decision and strengthen the level of adoption among smallholder farmers. Keywords: Assosa, Hechman two stages, Small scale irrigation adoption DOI: 10.7176/JRDM/73-01 Publication date: February 28th 202

Depression and HIV/AIDS: adapting and piloting group interpersonal therapy for treatment of depressive symptoms for people living with HIV/AIDS in Northwest Ethiopia

Background Being diagnosed with HIV/AIDS and commencement of lifelong antiretroviral therapy (ART) with the requirement of high adherence can exacerbate or trigger depressive disorders. Prevalence of major depression is substantially higher in people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) than those in the general population. More than 50% of PLWHA are likely to meet one or more criteria for depression in their lifetime. However, access to interventions for depressive disorders remains limited in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) where more than 90% of people with depressive disorders are not receiving formal treatment. The role of evidence-based psychological treatments has been fundamental in reducing the huge treatment gap in LMICs. Although brief, flexible and effective psychological treatments are emerging, issues in relation to their acceptability, feasibility and effectiveness in HIV populations remain unexplored. Therefore, this thesis aimed to adapt and pilot group interpersonal therapy (IPT) for treatment of depressive symptoms including its acceptability and feasibility for PLWHA. This thesis has been the first that attempted to adapt and pilot group IPT for treatment of depression in the HIV population in Ethiopia. The findings of this thesis can serve as a baseline for researchers interested in adapting or developing psychological treatments in the HIV population in Ethiopia. The findings contribute information on the process used in examining acceptability and feasibility of psychological interventions which provides indications for conducting future trials to test the effectiveness of group IPT. Methods First, a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomised controlled trials was conducted to identify the most effective psychological treatments for depressive symptoms for PLWHA in LMICs. Second, a survey of major depressive disorder (MDD) was conducted among PLWHA who were attending ART follow-up appointments at the Felege-Hiwot Referral Hospital (FHRH) in Northwest Ethiopia. The survey served as a baseline to identify cases for piloting of group IPT and helped to identify areas for intervention. Third, the intervention areas were further explored among stakeholders from the ART clinic including PLWHA and this was followed by a stepwise adaptation of the group IPT manual. Furthermore, a formative qualitative study was conducted to examine explanatory models of depression and to explore acceptable contexts for implementation of group IPT. A total of three focus groups were conducted with purposively selected case managers, adherence supporters and service users 2 at the ART clinic. The qualitative data were analysed based on a framework approach using predefined thematic concepts. Fourth, a pilot study of the group IPT intervention was conducted among PLWHA to evaluate the acceptability and feasibility of peer-administered group IPT for treatment of depressive symptoms for PLWHA in Ethiopia. A single-arm, prepost, peer-administered, group IPT interventional study was conducted with 31 consecutively recruited participants. The participants were assigned to four IPT groups for the intervention. A post-intervention evaluation of depressive symptoms, perceived social support (PSS), functional disability and quality of life (QoL) was conducted using the same instruments used at the baseline. No control group was included in this pilot study. Results The findings of the systematic review and meta-analysis revealed that trials that used IPT have shown good effectiveness in treating depressive symptoms of PLWHA in LMICs. The baseline study found 32.5% prevalence of MDD among randomly selected PLWHA (N=393). MDD was positively associated with reduced adherence to ART, functional disability and negatively associated with overall QoL. Overall findings of the baseline and the qualitative study indicated that psychosocial problems are the most important factors that need intervention for depression for PLWHA. The main findings in relation to the adaptation of the WHO group IPT were: i) an IPT group that contains five to ten people was perceived to be acceptable and mixed gender groups were recommended; ii) sessions were recommended to be conducted in private rooms for 1.5 to 2 hours, and on a weekly basis. Findings of the pilot study indicated that depression scores reduced significantly between baseline and postintervention (mean difference (MD)=9.92; t=-7.82; p<0.001). The mean PSS scores (MD=0.79; t=2.84; p=0.009) and the mean QoL scores (MD=0.39, t=4.58, p<0.001) improved significantly between baseline and post-intervention. All the IPT intervention areas (life change, disagreement, grief and loneliness) were found to be applicable to and important areas associated with depression in PLWHA in Ethiopia. Most importantly, disagreement within a family and life change due to HIV/AIDS, such as sickness and separation were faced by almost all PLWHA included in the study, followed by loneliness or social isolation as result of HIV stigma, and grief due to loss of loved ones including a spouse, a child, a mother or a father. Overall evaluation of the pilot indicated that the procedures and outcomes of group based IPT were perceived as acceptable. Participants of the intervention gained benefits in resolving psychosocial problems and reported high satisfaction with counsellors and intervention setting. The eight weekly sessions that lasted around two hours were acceptable; however, 3 additional sessions were recommended by some counsellors until everyone recovers from depression. Conclusion The overall findings of this thesis suggested that group IPT was found to be acceptable and feasible for PLWHA in Ethiopia. Future studies should focus on examining its effectiveness for treating depressive disorders among PLWHA in Ethiopia

Determinants of Small Holder Rural Farm Households’ Participation in Small Scale Irrigation in Western Ethiopia, in Case of Assosa District in Assosa Zone (Heckman Two-Stage Model)

Increasing technology adoption including irrigation among smallholder farmers has a big potential to uplift living standards of poor through increasing production and consumption pattern. The objective of this study was analyzing determinant of smallholder farmer participation in small scale irrigation and its intensification in western Ethiopia, in case of Assosa district in Assosa Zone. The study used data from 329 respondents from six selected kebeles of Assosa woreda in Assosa zone, through structured questioner. The descriptive statistics and Heckman two stage econometric methods were employed to analyze data collected from sampled household. The significance of coefficient of inverse Mill’s ratio (l) indicates the presence of selection bias and the effectiveness of applying Heckman two stage model. In the first stage of probit regression results of study show that the adoption decision of small scale irrigation use were driven by factors such as sex of the head, education, farm size, attend training at farmer training center, distance to irrigation, credit use, total livestock unit, ethnicity, active labor and development agent advice significantly determine participation in small scale irrigation. In the second stage, the intensification of small scale irrigation use was influenced by family size, credit use, ethnicity of farm household head and lambda. The policies which expand the accessibility of credit service, dissemination of productive agricultural technology information, and creating opportunity of education for farm household has potential to increase the chance of small scale irrigation adoption decision and strengthen the level of adoption among smallholder farmers. Keywords: Assosa, Hechman two stages, Small scale irrigation adoption DOI: 10.7176/JESD/12-3-02 Publication date: February 28th 202

Factors Affecting Implementation of Summer Institute of Linguistics (SIL), Ethiopia Project on Children Learning in Benishangul Mother Tongue as A Medium of Instruction: The Case of Assosa Zone

The purpose of this study was to establish the factors affecting the implementation of SIL, Ethiopia project on children learning in Benishangul mother tongue language as a medium of instruction at primary schools in Assosa zone. The target population of this study included school leaders, students, parent teacher association, mother tongue teachers and experts of pilot schools and Woreda of SIL, Ethiopia project including regional education bureau. The total population in the study was 1,594. A descriptive research design was adopted. Data was analyzed qualitatively through content analysis. Quantitative data was first coded then analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS). The study revealed that factors such as training, language policy and strategy, human, financial and materials resources, involvement and attitudes of stakeholders towards mother tongue education were affect the implementation of SIL, Ethiopia project on the Children learning in Benishangul mother tongue languageas a medium of instruction in Assosa Zone. Based on the finding this study recommended that especial attention should be given for teachers in provide in service training to build their capacity for effective implementation of SIL, Ethiopia project on mother tongue education. Keywords: Mother tongue, Implementation, SIL DOI: 10.7176/JLLL/94-01 Publication date: December 31st 202

Labor as a Payment Vehicle for Valuing Soil and Water Conservation Practice: An Application of Contingent Valuation Method in Abaro- Toga Watershed, Southern Ethiopia

This paper examines the determinants of farmers' willingness to pay (WTP) for soil and water conservation (SWC) practices applied Contingent Valuation Method  in terms of labor contribution in Abaro-Toga Watershed.  The paper is based on analysis of data collected from 150 randomly selected households through face to face interview. Descriptive statistics and econometrics logit models were applied. Results of the study showed that most respondents were WTP for SWC practices because of severity of soil erosion problem. Response to the hypothetical scenario revealed that sampled households expressed their mean WTP to be 36.01 labor days per year with an aggregate benefit of 1334247 labor days per year which is equivalent to 23349329.8 Birr. While, from the open ended elicitation methods total WTP was computed at mean of 32.21 labor days per year with an aggregate benefit of 1193449.3 labor days per year which is equivalent to 20885362.76 birr (1 US$=20.8 birr). This indicated that the total WTP from double bound elicitation format is greater than the WTP from open ended question. Hence, policy makers should target double bounded elicitation method than open ended elicitation method to eliciting the WTP for SWC practice. The results of logistic regression analysis also show that farmers' decisions to participate in SWC practices are influenced by a host of factors (Age, HH size, education, income, sex, slop of land, number of livestock holding, perception, labor shortage, and bid value). The implication is that taking these factors into account while planning SWC measures enables policy makers to come up with projects that win acceptance by the local people. Keywords: Determinants ,Soil and water conservation,  Logit,  Contingent valuation, willingness to pa

Reconsidering what enclosure and exclosure mean in restoration ecology

There is ambiguity in the use of the terms enclosure and exclosure in describing the passive method used for the restoration of degraded ecosystems. We argue that in the context of ecological restoration, the term enclosure is generally more appropriate to use than exclosure. Unlike exclosure, the term enclosure focuses on the degraded area to be restored, does not exclude selective permeability of external factors, and potentially accommodates local people's livelihood needs. However, the term exclosure is appropriate to use in the case of experimental exclosures or management of restoration sites which explicitly exclude specific disturbance factors.Peer reviewe

Special issue : Drought and Dryland Management - a commentary

Peer reviewe

Rehabilitation of degraded dryland ecosystems – review

Land degradation is widespread and a serious threat affecting the livelihoods of 1.5 billion people worldwide of which one sixth or 250 million people reside in drylands. Globally, it is estimated that 10–20% of drylands are already degraded and about 12 million ha are degraded each year. Driven by unsustainable land use practices, adverse climatic conditions and population increase, land degradation has led to decline in provision of ecosystem services, food insecurity, social and political instability and reduction in the ecosystem’s resilience to natural climate variability. Several global initiatives have been launched to combat land degradation, including rehabilitation of degraded drylands. This review aimed at collating the current state-of-knowledge about rehabilitation of degraded drylands. It was found that the prospect of restoring degraded drylands is technically promising using a suite of passive (e.g. area exclosure, assisted natural regeneration, rotational grazing) and active (e.g. mixed-species planting, framework species, maximum diversity, and use of nurse tree) rehabilitation measures. Advances in soil reclamation using biological, chemical and physical measures have been made. Despite technical advances, the scale of rehabilitation intervention is small and lacks holistic approach. Development of process based models that forecast outcomes of the various rehabilitation activities will be useful tools for researchers and practitioners. The concept of forest landscape restoration approach, which operates at landscape-level, could also be adopted as the overarching framework for rehabilitation of degraded dryland ecosystems. The review identified a data gap in cost-benefit analysis of rehabilitation interventions. However, the cost of rehabilitation and sustainable management of drylands is opined to be lower than the losses that accrue from inaction, depending on the degree of degradation. Thus, local communities’ participation, incorporation of traditional ecological knowledge, clear division of tasks and benefits, strengthening local institutions are crucial not only for cost-sharing, but also for the long-term success of rehabilitation activities.Peer reviewe

Recovery of floristic diversity, composition and structure of regrowth forests on fallow lands: implications for conservation and restoration of degraded forest lands in Laos

In Laos, there are extensive shifting cultivation areas and regrowth forests spontaneously established on fallow lands. The aims of the study were to conduct a comparative study of old-growth and regrowth forests in terms of structure, woody species diversity and composition as well as to investigate the potential role of regrowth forests in the conservation and restoration of degraded forest lands in Laos and the tropics in general. Systematic plot sampling was used to survey the floristic diversity, species composition and structure of old-growth and regrowth forests. Concentric circular plots with an area of 200 m2 and 500 m2 were laid on line transects. A total of 24 plots were sampled from two sites. In comparison to regrowth forests, old-growth forests had higher structural heterogeneity because of higher canopy height variations, vertical stratification, and tree sizes and their variations. Species richness and diversity indices values were similar, but abundance and species composition were significantly different between old-growth and regrowth forests. It appears that species richness recovers first followed by forest structure and species composition. Regrowth forests are important for in situ conservation of tropical biodiversity and they can also serve as a conduit for the restoration of degraded lands and forests. Regrowth forests provide habitats, serve as buffer zones around the fragmented old-growth forests, function as source of propagules, and enhance landscape connectivity. Utilization of regrowth forests for restoration purposes is comparatively inexpensive. Regrowth forests should be given the due considerations in the national forest conservation and restoration policy of Laos.Peer reviewe