Remote Sensing and GIS Based Agricultural Drought Risk Assessment in East Shewa Zone, Central Rift Valley Region of Ethiopia

Drought is one of the most complex naturally occurring disasters that results in serious human life, environmental, social and economic costs around the world. In order to monitor agricultural drought risk, GIS and remote sensing have a significant role. This research was conducted in East Shewa Zone of Oromia Region of Ethiopia with the objective of mapping agricultural drought risk using GIS and remote sensing. Ten years decadal SPOT NDVI datasets were downloaded from VITO website. In order to compute the Standardized Precipitation Index (SPI), rainfall data was obtained from meteorological stations of the study area. The result of drought severity index indicated that 2005 and 2009 were years of drought while 2013 identified as wet year. On the other hand based the result of SPI, 2005 and 2009 were years of droughts while 2012 wet year. The result also showed that there is good correlation (r = 0.7) between long term NDVI and seasonal rainfalls. The results were supported by the interviews and focus group discussions. Based on the result drought risk map, 5.1% of the zone are under extreme drought risk, 31.9% severe drought, 27.1% moderate drought and 32.5% are under mild drought. Thus,  it is only the remaining 3% of the East Shewa Zone that are not vulnerable to drought. Our findings showed that we can use GIS and remote sensing for drought assessment in regions where there are scarce ground observation data. Future research may focus on camparson of  ground observation data and sattellite derived data. Keywords: Drought risk, GIS, NDVI, Remote sensing, SPI, SPOT

Managing Workplace Conflicts in Business Environment: The Role of Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR) Ethiopian in Focus

A critical review of a journal article is an evaluation of an article's strengths, weaknesses and validity. It is used to inform readers of an article's value through explanation, interpretation and analysis. Ethiopia has for centuries been using traditional methods of dispute resolution. The institutions of Gadaa among the Oromo, the Shimagelle by the Amhara, and the other ethnic groups reviewer re used. But Alternative Dispute Resolution has not attained any significant position of usage and acceptance in its modern form. Recent incorporation of Alternative Dispute Resolution mechanisms in the legal polity has been greeted with a lukewarm attitude by the government, judiciary and the civil society (Shipi M, 2001). This article critically analyses alternative dispute resolution alternative dispute resolution in Ethiopia. it includes coverage of: various alternative dispute resolution techniques and the roles played by alternative dispute resolution practitioners in workplace conflict; the need for workplace grievance policies and the forms these can take; the suitability of alternative dispute resolution for various types of disputes; three case studies where alternative dispute resolution was utilized in workplace conflict and the experiences of both the human resource consultant and their clients (Barrister E, 2014). In this regard, the aim of the article is to examine all the possible and applicable alternative dispute resolution mechanism and literature synthesis in general. Keywords: alternative Dispute resolution, organizational, work place conflict, concept DOI: 10.7176/RJFA/10-1-0

Species composition, Plant Community structure and Natural regeneration status of Belete Moist Evergreen Montane Forest, Oromia Regional state, Southwestern Ethiopia

Belete forest is one of the very few remnant moist evergreen montane forests in Ethiopia. The objective of this work was to study the vegetation structure, composition and Natural regeneration status of Belete moist evergreen montane forest. To investigate the plant community structure, composition and regeneration status of Belete forest, line transects were laid down on the longest transect starting from the bottom valley to the top ridge. Sample quadrats 20m x20 m, 5m x 5m, 1m x 1m were laid for trees, shrubs, sapling and seedling, and herbaceous layer respectively in a nested form. The sample quadrats were laid down along transects at a distance of 50m from each other. A total of 69 quadrats were sampled. Vegetation classification was performed using PC - ORD for windows version 5.0. Five communities were recognized. Results showed that a total of 157 plant species representing 69 families and 135 genera were recorded. These were composed of 31.2% Herbs, 28.7% Trees, 26.1% Shrubs, 5.7% Climbers, 5.1% Liana, 1.9% Epiphytic herbs, and 1.3% herbaceous Ferns. The major families were Fabaceae and Asteraceae each represented by 10 species (6.4%), followed by Lamiaceae 9 (5.7%) and Rubiaceae 6 (3.8%). Other thirty three families consisting 19.8% were represented by one species only. Regeneration status of the forest was analyzed by comparing saplings and seedlings with the matured trees. Results revealed that Belete moist evergreen montane forest is at good regeneration status. Planning and management of the forest should be assisted by research findings, such as detailed ecological studies in relation to various environmental factors.Keywords: Belete forest, Community structure, Moist Evergreen Montane Forest, Regeneration

Nutritional Knowledge and Determinant Factors Among Lactating Mothers in Nekemte Referral Hospital and Health Centers, East Wollega, Ethiopia

Background: Lactating mothers from low-income countries including Ethiopia are considered as a nutritionally vulnerable group due to different socio demographic factors and lack of nutritional knowledge which impact on the health and well being of children. Adequate nutrition for the mothers during lactation is therefore important for their good health as well as for that of their offspring. However community based information regarding nutritional knowledge and associated factors among lactating mothers is lacking and scanty.  Objective: To assess nutritional knowledge, and associated factors among lactating mothers in Nekemte Hospital and Health Centers, East Wollega, Ethiopia. Methods:  Institution based cross-sectional study was done from January 2014 to June 2014. The study was conducted using structured and pre-tested questionnaire. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, nutritional knowledge and associated factors was collected from all lactating mothers who visited both health institutions during postnatal care and EPI program. The association of nutritional knowledge with socio-economic and demographic factors was analyzed using descriptive statistics, binary and multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: This study revealed that majority of the women 260(81.3%) was in the age range of 17-25 yrs and attending school 292 (91.3%). This research also showed that 185(57.8%) of lactating mothers had good nutritional knowledge while a significant proportion of the respondent, 135(42.2%) of mothers had poor nutritional knowledge. From multiple logistic regression analysis   family size (AOR=4.604, 95%CI=1.903-11.140), family income (AOR=0.250, 95%CI=0.100-0.623) and knowledge of foods that were significantly associated with the nutritional status of the study participants. Conclusions:  Nutritional knowledge of the lactating mothers were short of the national and international recommendations. Therefore, sustained nutrition education is recommended to the lactating mothers and their families and communities to improve food intake, proper dietary knowledge during lactation in order to enhance health and nutrition outcomes of lactating mothers and their children. Keywords: Lactating mothers, Nutritional knowledge, associated factor

Nutritional Status and Associated Factors among Lactating Mothers in Nekemte Referral Hospital and Health Centers, Ethiopia

Lactating mothers from low-income countries including Ethiopia are considered as a nutritionally vulnerable group due to different socio demographic factors which impact on the health and well being of children. Adequate nutrition for the mothers during lactation is therefore important for their good health as well as for that of their offspring. The objective of this study was to assess nutritional status, and associated factors among lactating mothers in Nekemte Hospital and Health Centers, East Wollega, Ethiopia.  Institutional based cross-sectional study was done from January 2014 to June 2014. Body Mass index was used to measure the nutritional status by measuring height and weight of the lactating mothers using standard procedures. Data on socio-demographic characteristics, maternal nutritional status, and associated factors  was collected from all lactating mothers who visited both health institutions during postnatal care and EPI program. The association of nutritional status with socio-economic and demographic factors  were analyzed using descriptive statistics, binary and multiple logistic regression analysis. This study revealed that majority of the women 260(81.3%) was in the age range of 17-25 yrs and attending school 292 (91.3%). The prevalence of underweight, normal, overweight and Obesity were 65(20%), 240(75%), 20(4.7%) and (0.3%), respectively. From multiple logistic regression analysis family size (AOR=4.604, 95%CI=1.903-11.140 and  family income (AOR=0.250, 95%CI=0.100-0.623) were significantly associated with the nutritional status of the study participants.  Nutritional statuses of the lactating mothers were short of the national and international recommendations. Therefore, sustained nutrition education is recommended to the lactating mothers and their families and communities to improve food intake, proper dietary knowledge during lactation in order to enhance health and nutrition outcomes of lactating mothers and their children. Proper family planning and the way that lactating mothers increase their income should be designed by concerned body. Keywords: Lactating mothers, Nutritional Status, Associated factors

PRELIMINARY BASELINE SURVEY OF AVIFAUNAL DIVERSITY IN JIMMA ZONE, SOUTH-WESTERN ETHIOPIA

Multidimensional poverty, which is deeply-rooted within least-developed African countries like Ethiopia, is forcing local people to heavily rely on natural resources for their subsistent livelihoods. As a result, remaining wilderness areas in tropical Africa which support huge but little known biological diversity, are subject to extensive habitat loss, fragmentation and degradation in turn causing loss of plant and animal species and ecosystem services provided by them. Coffee forest fragment within the Jimma Zone of Ethiopia cannot be expected to be an exception to such scenario. Taking this persistent problem into consideration, we carried out a preliminary survey of bird biodiversity in selected areas of Jimma Zone during a short term bird ringing training held from Sept. 30 to Oct. 20, 2008. The main objective of the survey was to identify and document bird species of Jimma Zone, Southwestern Ethiopia, for further in-debth ornithological studies. Survey data were collected through exhaustive observations in and around 10 coffee forest fragments in Garuke, one fragment in Eladale, one urban area site in Jimma town and in scrubland vegetation around Gilgel Ghibe hydropower reservoir, Jimma Zone, Southwestern Ethiopia. In addition, five mist-nets were employed to capture understory forest birds in two purposively selected coffee forest fragments. Mist nets were opened at 5:50 A.M. and checked every 30 minutes until they were closed at 12:00 A.M. Over 196 bird species were identified during this survey and of these, 41 individuals belonging to 20 species were captured in Garuke and 23 individuals of 9 bird species in Eladale. Montane white-eye (Zosterops poliogastrus) followed by Olive sunbird (Nectarinia olivacea), Abyssinian slaty-flycatcher (Melaenornis chocolatinus) and Rupell’s robinchat (Cossypha semirufa) were the most frequently captured bird species. Of the sites surveyed, Gilgel Ghibe hydropower reservoir had strikingly highest bird species diversity. We approached the reservoir almost in a constant site near Bulbul Kebele (the smallest administrative unit in Ethiopia) and recorded over 115 bird species within about 300 meters distance! We learnt that this area was an important and most appropriate site to see a number of migrant and resident species as well as to undertake future bird ringing activities. We believe that the result of this survey will contribute much for the preparation of a comprehensive bird species checklist for Jimma Zone that could serve as important baseline information for more focused future ornithological investigations in the area so as to promote bird conservation through ecotourism activities and improve the livelihood of local people

Evaluation of the protective efficacy of Salmonella Gallinarum 9R strain vaccine against Salmonella strains isolated from cases suspected of salmonellosis outbreaks in poultry farms in central Ethiopia

Salmonellosis is one of the most important bacterial diseases of poultry causing heavy economic losses. Though it can be prevented through vaccination, regular monitoring of the protective efficacy of the vaccine against field outbreaks is essential since antigenically dissimilar serovars may evolve compromising the efficacy of the vaccine. This study was, therefore, carried out to evaluate the protective efficacy of the currently used attenuated Salmonella Gallinarum 9R strain vaccine against experimental challenge with field isolates of Salmonella strains obtained from disease outbreaks. Three Salmonella serovars viz Salmonella Gallinarum, Salmonella Pullorum and Salmonella Enteritidis isolated and identified (phenotypically and molecularly) from outbreaks suspected of salmonellosis were used for the challenge experiment. A total of 90 chickens randomly divided into 2 categories (vaccinated and non-vaccinated control) each comprising 45 birds were used for protective efficacy study. Each of these categories were further subdivided and randomly assigned into 3 groups each comprising 15 birds for challenge with each of the three field Salmonella serovars. Chickens were vaccinated subcutaneously with live attenuated Salmonella Gallinarum 9R vaccine containing 2x107 CFU per dose. Each group in both vaccinated and non vaccinated category were challenged with the three field serovars (one strain per group) through oral administration of 1 ml of bacterial suspension containing 5×107organisms. Post challenge follow-up showed no mortality in all vaccinated groups challenged with each of the three serovars while a mortality of 53.3% (N=8), 13.3% (N=2) and 0% was observed in S. Gallinarum, S. Pullorum and S. Enteritidis challenged nonvaccinated groups, respectively. None of the challenge Salmonella strains were  recovered from liver and spleen of the vaccinated birds two weeks after challenge. In conclusion, the currently used attenuated S. Gallinarum 9R strain vaccine against fowl typhoid can effectively confer protection not only against field strains of Salmonella Gallinarum, but also cross-protection to S. Pullorum and S. Enteritidis involved in causing poultry salmonellosis outbreaks in Ethiopia.Keywords: Central Ethiopia; Poultry; Salmonellosis; Vaccine efficac

Challenges in conserving forest ecosystems through coffee certification: a case study from southwestern Ethiopia

Certification schemes, aimed at simultaneously promoting ecologically sustainable agriculture and improving livelihood, are being utilized at a global scale. Among such certification schemes, the Rainforest Alliance is known as one of the most widely used environmental certification programs throughout the world. Previous studies have compared the ecological impacts of certified and non-certified farmlands, or evaluated the economic outcomes of certification. However, few studies have assessed the long-term impacts of the certification scheme. This paper attempts to analyze the long-term outcomes of the Rainforest Alliance certification program through a case study of coffee farming practices in southwestern Ethiopia. We conducted in-depth qualitative interviews with key informants who were deeply involved in the certification program, together with field observations and secondary data collection. The results of the assessment indicated that some areas of the certified coffee forests have been deforested or ecologically degraded and that the Rainforest Alliance program requirements were not uniformly applied. The possible causes include rapid population increase, government policies promoting intensive coffee production, presence of members who did not participate in the certification program, a lack of conservation incentives, and loopholes in the auditing process. To determine the overall success of the Rainforest Alliance certification program would require: monitoring of population growth rates and providing alternative livelihood opportunities, promoting collaboration between environmental and agricultural government authorities, conducting a more stringent on-site inspection, and to provide direct incentives for environmental conservation to all farmers living in or near the certified areas

Genetic diversity in tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter]

Tef [Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter] is a cereal crop resilient to adverse climatic and soil conditions, and possessing desirable storage properties. Although tef provides high quality food and grows under marginal conditions unsuitable for other cereals, it is considered to be an orphan crop because it has benefited little from genetic improvement. Hence, unlike other cereals such as maize and wheat, the productivity of tef is extremely low. In spite of the low productivity, tef is widely cultivated by over six million small-scale farmers in Ethiopia where it is annually grown on more than three million hectares of land, accounting for over 30% of the total cereal acreage. Tef, a tetraploid with 40 chromosomes (2n = 4x = 40), belongs to the family Poaceae and, together with finger millet (Eleusine coracana Gaerth.), to the subfamily Chloridoideae. It was originated and domesticated in Ethiopia. There are about 350 Eragrostis species of which E. tef is the only species cultivated for human consumption. At the present time, the gene bank in Ethiopia holds over five thousand tef accessions collected from geographical regions diverse in terms of climate and elevation. These germplasm accessions appear to have huge variability with regard to key agronomic and nutritional traits. In order to properly utilize the variability in developing new tef cultivars, various techniques have been implemented to catalog the extent and unravel the patterns of genetic diversity. In this review, we show some recent initiatives investigating the diversity of tef using genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics and discuss the prospect of these efforts in providing molecular resources that can aid modern tef breeding

How do role conflict intensity and coping strategies affect the success of women entrepreneurs in Africa? Evidence from Ethiopia

Abstract: Please refer to full text to view abstrac