Finance and Poverty in Ethiopia: A Household Level Analysis

finance, Ethiopia, Africa, poverty, consumption smoothing

Incomplete markets and fertilizer use : evidence from Ethiopia

While the economic returns to using chemical fertilizer in Africa can be large, application rates are low. This study explores whether this is due to missing and imperfect markets. Results based on a panel survey of Ethiopian farmers suggest that while fertilizer markets are not altogether missing in rural Ethiopia, high transport costs, unfavorable climate, price risk, and illiteracy present formidable hurdles to farmer participation. Moreover, the combination of factors that promote or impede effective fertilizer markets differs among locations, making it difficult to find a single production technology that is uniformly profitable -- perhaps explaining the inconsistency between field studies finding large returns to fertilizer use in Ethiopia and survey-based studies finding fertilizer use to be uneconomic. The results suggest that households with greater stores of wealth, human capital and authority can overcome these hurdles. The finding offers some encouragement, but also implies a self-enforcing link between low agricultural productivity and poverty, since low-asset households are less able to overcome these problems. The study suggests that the provision of extension services can be effective and that lowering transport costs can raise the intensity of fertilizer use by lowering the cost of fertilizer and boosting the farmgate value of output.Climate Change and Agriculture,Fertilizers,Crops&Crop Management Systems,Access to Finance,Fertilizers&Agricultural Chemicals Industry

Governance and Productivity: Microeconomic Evidence from Ethiopia

We used household survey data from the rural Ethiopia to investigate the importance of governance for agricultural productivity. We argued that the impact of governance is household specific and identified some governance indicators accordingly. Trust in government and government officials, strength of property rights and personal contact with local authorities are identified as governance indicators. A stochastic frontier production function is specified and estimated to capture the effects of governance on productivity or technical efficiency of households. Our results show that improvement in governance could reduce technical inefficiencies significantly and hence could considerably boost productivity

Land Use and Land Cover Dynamics in Eastern Pastoral Rangelands of Somali Region, Ethiopia

Drastic changes have occurred in Harshin district rangeland management over nearly the last two decades, due to rapid spread of fencing of 'private' grazing areas, contrary to the communal ownership pattern that informal institutions govern. In Harshin district, the land use change over time and space and temporal trends rangeland condition have never  been studied relative to the effects of long term management changes. This study analyzed land use and land cover (LULC) change dynamics since 1980s. Three dates, 1984, 1998 and 2014, Landsat images were used for classification and analysis of the various LULC. The three images were geo-referenced, re-sampled and processed for classification, using the maximum likelihood classifier algorithm. The best Kappa hat statistic of classification accuracy was 85%. The results of the classification over the three periods showed that settlement and bare land increased from 7325 hectare (ha) in 1984 to 18,720 ha in 1998. Grassland decreased by 8010 ha over the same period and increased by 53,230 ha by the 2014; shrub land also decreased by 9471 ha and 31,196 ha in 1998 and 2014, respectively. Woodland increased by 6176 ha in 1998, however; it decreases by 33,175 ha in 2014. The study findings have shown important changes in the LULC patterns in the district. The bare land, coupled with shrub land reduction between 1984 and 1998, substantial increments in bare land, settlement land uses, and grassland coverage, while a substantial decrease in woodland coverage were found between 1998 and 2014. These trends are certainly the characteristics of pastoral way of life turn to settlement. This suggests that major changes in the socio-ecological driving forces affecting landscape dynamics have occurred in the last two decades or so. Keywords: Harshin district, Land use land cover dynamics, Rangeland, Remote sensing DOI: 10.7176/JEES/9-6-03 Publication date:June 30th 201

Consumption of dairy, fruits and dark green leafy vegetables is associated with lower risk of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO): a prospective cohort study in rural Ethiopia

Background: Poor maternal nutrition during pregnancy is a leading modifiable risk factor associated with risks of adverse pregnancy outcomes (APO). Nevertheless, there is paucity of evidence if consumption of some food groups is associated with lower risk of APO, particularly in low-income settings. We aimed to determine whether consumption of some food groups is associated with lower risk of APOs such as: preterm birth (PTB), low-birth weight (LBW), and stillbirth in rural Central Ethiopia. Methods: A multi-center (8 health centers) prospective cohort study, enrolling 432 pregnant women during their initial antenatal care visit, was employed. All mothers were then followed monthly (for a total of four visits) from enrollment to delivery. Midwives in respective health centers assessed dietary diversity using the Women’s individual dietary diversity score and evaluated birth outcomes following standard procedures. Logistic regression models were run to predict association of food groups with the APO. Findings: Out of the 374 pregnant women who completed the study, one in five [74 (19.8%)] experienced at least one of the APO: 34 (9.1%) gave birth to LBW babies, 51(13.6%) had PTB and 17 (4.5%) experienced stillbirth. Poor or inconsistent consumption (<¾ assessments) of dark green leafy vegetables (adjusted odds ratio (AOR) = 2.01; 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.04–3.87), dairy products (AOR = 2.64; 95% CI: 1.11–6.30), and fruits and vegetables (AOR = 2.92; 95% CI: 1.49–5.67) were independently associated with higher APO risks. Whereas, being nonanemic at term (AOR = 0.24; 95% CI: 0.12–0.48) was independently associated with lower APO risks. Conclusions: Poor or inconsistent consumption of dairy, dark green leafy vegetables and fruits were associated with higher risk of APOs. While community-based trials and mechanistic studies are needed to substantiate these findings, efforts to promote dietaryinfo:eu-repo/semantics/publishedVersio

Applying innovation system concepts in agricultural research for development: a learning module

This learning module is expected to have multiple uses. One, a source material for trainings that could be organized at different levels, and two, as reference document to upgrade the knowledge of staff of partner organizations about innovation systems approach and applications. The design of the learning module includes guidance notes for potential trainers including learning purpose and objectives for each session; description of the session structure (including methods, techniques, time allocation to each activity); power point presentations, presentation text, exercise handouts, worksheets, and additional reading material. There are also evaluation forms and recommended bibliography for use by future facilitators. The module has been prepared in the style of a source book and it assumes that the reader is familiar with the concepts, procedures and tools used in participatory research approaches. Users can pick and choose the sessions/idea/tools/concepts that are most relevant and appropriate in specific contexts and for specific purposes. This is work in progress. The module is being continually refined and updated, based on application of the concept and tools in the project and elsewhere and, lessons learned in the process. Case studies will be prepared to supplement this module. Therefore, IPMS would like to encourage users of this learning module to actively provide feedback, including suggestions on how it can be improved

Availability and consumption of fruits and vegetables in nine regions of Ethiopia with special emphasis to vitamin A deficiency

Background: Vegetables and fruits are the main sources of a number of essential micronutrients, and therefore, information on availability and consumption of vegetables/fruits is vital in designing sustainable interventions to prevent micronutrient deficiencies, particularly that of vitamin A deficiency. Objective: The objective of the study was to assess availability and consumption of fruits and vegetables in Ethiopia.Methods: Employing, multistage cluster sampling approach, a sample of 2552 households in nine administrative regions were interviewed on availability and consumption practice of vegetables and fruits. Results: In aggregate, 41.5% and 75.5% of households did not produce/cultivate any of the common vegetables and fruits over the year preceding the survey, respectively. The proportion of households who did not produce/cultivate vegetables was high in Addis Ababa (99.7%), Afar (94.9%), Dire Dawa (94.2%) and Tigray (86.4%). The proportion of households who did not produce/cultivate fruits was highest in Addis Ababa (100%), followed in Dire Dawa (95.3%), Afar (92.9%), Tigray (92.2%), Harari (83.3%) and Oromiya (81.8%). In the overall, 38.1% and 36.5% of the children studied did not eat vegetable and fruit in the week preceding the survey, respectively. Own production of fruits and vegetables was significantly better (

Strengthening agricultural education and training in Sub-Saharan Africa from an innovation systems perspective: Case studies of Ethiopia and Mozambique

"This paper examines the role of postsecondary agricultural education and training (AET) in Sub-Saharan Africa in the context of the region's agricultural innovation systems. Specifically, the paper looks at how AET in Sub-Saharan Africa can contribute to agricultural development by strengthening innovative capabilities, or the ability to introduce new products and processes that are socially or economically relevant to smallholder farmers and other agents in the agricultural sector. Using AET in Ethiopia and Mozambique as case studies, the paper argues that while AET is conventionally viewed in terms of its role in building human and scientific capital, it also has a vital role to play in building the capacity of organizations and individuals to transmit and adapt new applications of existing information, new products and processes, and new organizational cultures and behaviors. The paper emphasizes the importance of improving AET systems by strengthening the innovative capabilities of AET organizations and professionals; changing organizational cultures, behaviors, and incentives; and building innovation networks and linkages. The paper draws on two main sources of information: the emerging literature on innovation systems in developing-country agriculture, and data gathered from secondary sources and semi-structured key informant interviews conducted in Ethiopia and Mozambique in late 2006. The paper offers several recommendations that can contribute to enhancing the effectiveness of AET's contribution to agricultural innovation and development. Key reforms include aligning the mandates of AET organizations with national development aspirations by promoting new educational programs that are more strategically attuned to the different needs of society; inducing change in the cultures of AET organizations through the introduction of educational programs and linkages beyond the formal AET system; and strengthening individual and organizational capacity by improving incentives to forge stronger linkages between AET and diverse user communities, knowledge sources, and private industry." - from authors' abstract.Agricultural education and training, Innovation systems, Sub-Saharan Africa, case studies, Small farmers, agricultural sector,

In-depth assessment of the public agricultural extension system of Ethiopia and recommendations for improvement:

Eighty-three percent of the population of Ethiopia depends directly on agriculture for their livelihoods, while many others depend on agriculture-related cottage industries such as textiles, leather, and food oil processing. Agriculture contributes about 46.3 percent of gross domestic product (GDP) (World Bank 2008) and up to 90 percent of total export earnings. As part of the current five-year (2006–2011) Plan for Accelerated and Sustained Development to End Poverty (PASDEP), the government is continuing to invest heavily in agriculture. A core part of the government's investment in agriculture is the public agricultural extension system. This study was conducted to assess the strengths and constraints of the public extension system and to provide suggestions on “best fit” solutions and their scale-up opportunities. The review used a variety of analytical tools to develop the overall findings, including extensive field visits to six of nine regions in Ethiopia; interviews with farmer trainees at farmer training centers (FTCs), more than 100 extension personnel, extension experts, nongovernmental organization (NGO) groups, and government representatives; and a literature review on Ethiopian extension. The study assessed strengths and constraints in the field-level extension system, the ATVET system, and the extension institutional environment. The researchers also considered the overall enabling environment within which extension operates. The field-level extension service has a strong foundation of FTCs and trained development agents (DAs) already in place in the field. Roughly 8,489 FTCs have been created throughout Ethiopia, and about 62,764 DAs have been trained in total, with a reported 45,812 staffed on location. Woreda (district) and regional offices are adequately staffed. DAs and woreda staff have strong technical skills and theoretical knowledge, and are generally trained as specialists. Pockets of entrepreneurialism and innovation exist in specific FTCs and woredas. While acknowledging these strengths, the researchers also identified several sets of constraints within the field-level extension system that will require attention. Basic infrastructure and resources at the FTC and woreda level remain a major constraint, particularly in relation to operating funds: the vast majority of FTCs and kebeles do not have operating equipment or inputs to pursue typical extension activities on the demonstration farm. There are major “soft” skill gaps for DAs and subject matter specialists (SMSs) in the FTCs and woredas, and their ability to serve farmers is limited given a lack of practical skills. Finally, the overall field-level system is often limited in its ability to meet farmer needs and demands; mechanisms to make it more farmer-driven and market-oriented would yield greater results. The authors employed a similar approach at the ATVET level to identify strengths and constraints. Strengths at the ATVET level include a strong record of training broad groups of DAs, a strong technical curriculum, and some pockets of innovation and practical training, including linkages to markets and farmers. Constraints include limited success in enabling DAs to gain practical experience, particularly related to their internships at the woreda level; limited linkages to the broader educational system and research system in Ethiopia; and a general lack of resources to effectively transmit the required skill set to DAs. The countrywide enabling environment in which extension operates is critical to extension efforts. Various aspects of the enabling environment were considered, including seed and other inputs, water management, and credit systems, as well as producer groups. Constraints were also assessed, leading to the conclusion that the enabling environment requires strengthening, particularly in the areas of seed and credit, if extension is to achieve its full potential impact.trained development agents (DA), farmer training centers (FTC), ATVET system, Extension, Agriculture,