Cultural and molecular detection of zoonotic tuberculosis and its public health impacts in selected districts of Tigray region, Ethiopia

Bovine tuberculosis (BTB) is a chronic infectious disease of animals characterized by the formation of granulomas in tissues and its detection is carried out most commonly on the basis of tuberculin skin testing, abattoir meat inspection and rarely on bacteriological techniques. A study was conducted to assess the epidemiology and zoonotic implication of bovine tuberculosis in three selected districts of Tigray region between September 2012 and June 2013 using Comparative Intradermal Tuberculin (CIDT) test, abattoir surveillance, bacteriology and molecular typing. Besides, livestock owners were interviewed for the evaluation of the zoonotic potential of BTB. On the basis of the CIDT test, animal and herd prevalence were 2.7% (14/524) and 9.3% (13/140), respectively, while in abattoir-based study the prevalence was 22% (117/531). Male animals were more likely (OR= 1.7; P=0.012; 95% CI: 1.12- 2.55) to exhibit tuberculous lesions as compared to female animals. The proportion of culture positivity was 32% (40/125) in tissue samples. Only nine isolates were typed and out of which seven isolates were positive for the genus Mycobacterium of which two were identified as M. tuberculosis. The two M. tuberculosis species had the same spoligotype pattern. Awareness of cattle owners about BTB was poor and detection of BTB both in live and slaughtered animals. The isolation of M. tuberculosis from animal tissues indicates the existence of transmission of this agent from humans to animals. Therefore, there should be practical and sound control methods such as strict meat inspection, boiling of milk and cooking of meat, and public education to raise the awareness on the transmission of the disease.Keywords: Abattoir , Ethiopia, Mycobacterium, Tuberculosis, Zoonosi

Impacts of socio-psychological factors on actual adoption of sustainable land management practices in dryland and water stressed areas

Despite the presence of several studies on technology adoption, there are limited empirical studies on how socio-psychological factors affect the adoption of sustainable agriculture. Therefore, this paper investigates how socio-psychological factors-such as social capital, information, attitudes, efficacy, and aversion-affect smallholder farmers' decisions to adopt sustainable land management practices, such as agroforestry systems, organic compost, and crop rotation with legumes. Cross-sectional data are collected from 350 randomly selected farm households using a pre-tested and structured questionnaire. A multivariate probit model is used to investigate factors that influence the probability of adopting these practices. The ordered probit model is also applied to identify and analyze the determinants of the number (intensity) of land management practices adopted. The findings indicate that nearly half of the farmers have adopted these land management practices to improve soil fertility, enhance water retention capacity, and increase productivity. It is also found that attitudes, information, education, group membership, relational capital, risk attitudes, and labor supply significantly affect the probability of adopting these agricultural practices. The estimates of the ordered probit model also indicate that extension services, risk attitudes, group membership, relational capital, education and labor supply are major determinants of the number of land management practices used. However, financial resources, biophysical factors and some demographic factors are found to have an insignificant effect on sustainable agriculture adoption. This implies that when it is necessary to promote sustainable land management practices and to stimulate smallholder farmers to adopt such practices in isolation or combination, specific strategies should be designed to improve awareness, build positive attitudes, reduce risk aversion, strengthen formal organizations, and empower endogenous groups (or informal institutions)

Impact of food aid on household food security: empirical evidence

Many researchers and food aid analysts have conducted several studies on the food aid issues for the last five decades. This paper critically reviews the different food aid literature in order to examine the impact of food aid on food security of the recipient. The empirical findings show that food aid has both positive and negative effects. It facilitates the attainment of food security through improving production, increasing the choice for consumption, constructing infrastructure services, creating employment and so forth. However, it also retards the achievement of food security through labour supply and production disincentive effects and dependence syndrome. It is less likely to conclude the net effect of food aid on food security using the existing studies. In order to produce research output that shows the net effect of food aid on food security, there should be comprehensive and advanced studies (e.g. CGE) that accommodate multi-countries, multi-activities, and multi- programs and- factors

Impact of Use of Chemical Fertiliser on Farm Households’ Risk Behaviour and Food Security in Ethiopia

This paper explores the impact of chemical fertiliser on smallholder farmers’ risk behaviour and food security. The findings show that the severity of food security is lower for farmers who adopted chemical fertiliser (15%) than those who didn’t adopt (27%). Risk taking behaviour is predominantly associated with farmers who adopt chemical fertiliser. The number of food secure farmers was higher for risk taker farmers (54%) than that of risk averse farmers (46%). Use of chemical fertiliser significantly affected both farmers’ risk behaviour and food security. Therefore, it can be concluded that since risk averse farmers are less likely to adopt chemical fertiliser and other technological innovations, it entails improving their awareness through demonstration, teaching and public discussion

Adoption Of Irrigation And Its Consequences On Household Income In The Northern Ethiopia

An expansion of irrigation is among the priority areas in Ethiopia although farmers’ participation is below the expectations. This paper aims to identify factors that affect farmers’ decisions to use irrigation and also estimate its role in household income. The data is collected using standardised questionnaire and analysed it using the Heckman model. Household size, rural associations, markets, information access, extension services, and rural roads are found significant factors affecting farmers’ decisions to use irrigation. Income from irrigation has accounted for 38% of total income. Use of irrigation has a significant positive effect on household income. Thus, local associations and institutions should be empowered and rural services should be expanded to induce farmers to use irrigation thereby increases their income. Key Words: Irrigation, income, Heckman model, Ethiopi

Impact of use of chemical fertiliser on farm households’ risk behaviour and food security in Ethiopia

The paper explored the impact of chemical fertiliser on smallholder farmers' risk behaviour and food security. The findings show that the severity of food security is lower for farmers who adopted chemical fertiliser (15%) than those who didn't adopt (27%). Risk taking behaviour is predominantly associated with farmers who adopt chemical fertiliser. The number of food secure farmers was higher for risk taker farmers (54%) than that of risk averse farmers (46%). Use of chemical fertiliser significantly affected both farmers' risk behaviour and food security. Risk-averse farmers are less likely to adopt chemical fertiliser technology. There is need to improve farmers awareness through demonstration, teaching and public discussion