Smart marketing of small ruminants in Ethiopia

Poster prepared for a share fair, Addis Ababa, May 201

Willingness to pay for livestock market services in Ethiopia

Poster prepared for a share fair, Addis Ababa, May 201

Economic valuation of the preferred traits of indigenous cattle in Ethiopia

This research employs recent data generation methods and econometric techniques to elicit cattle trait preferences and to estimate the relative economic values of the preferred traits within the context of a semi-subsistence livelihood system in Dano district of Central Ethiopia. Economic valuation of preferred cattle traits serves much more than estimating implicit prices or willingness to pay. It reveals the fact that the relative economic values consumers and producers attach to traits considered important inherently determine the types and composition of animals kept under their custody. The preferences elicited and the relative values of traits can, therefore, serve as basis for biological research and policy interventions for the sustainable use of the animal genetic resources. The results of this study show that the rural community has clear and consistent preferences for the different cattle attributes that manifest the suitability of the cattle for the different and interrelated functions they are expected to render. Bull trait preference analysis results illustrate that the farming community assigns high values for good plowing strength, big body size, disease resistance, calf vigor, and for places the cattle were brought from. Regarding cow attributes, the community attaches more importance to fertility (short calving interval), disease resistance and calf vigor than to milk. Hedonic price function estimations also show that phenotypic traits of cattle, particularly class of cattle - based on sex and function, body size and age, influence cattle price as well as marketing season and market location. Based on the empirical results, a framework for the community based management of cattle genetic resources is also developed envisioning locally managed sustainable use and conservation of the indigenous cattle resources. The results of this research would substantially justify the re-focusing of the strategies and programs Ethiopia has been implementing for the last four decades with the aim of improving only few commercially important traits. The results also call for the empowerment and motivation of the rural community for sustainable management of the cattle genetic resources against the top-down approach that has been the norm in Ethiopia

Brief note on Food systems and the role of livestock

Brief note on Food systems and the role of livestock presentation in “Contribution of Livestock to the Food Systems Transformation in Ethiopia”. Hawassa, Ethiopia. September 15-17, 2022

Utilization and determinants of modern family planning among women of reproductive age group in Ethiopia: results from Integrated Family Health Program.

Background: Family planning improves community health and wellbeing by helping women to space and/or limit the number of children they want until they are physically and financially prepared.Objective: The aim of this study was to assess utilization and determinants of modern family planning among women of reproductive age in Ethiopia.Methods: A cross-sectional household survey was conducted in four major regions of Ethiopia (Tigray, Amhara, Oromia and Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples (SNNP)) from April 28 to May 30, 2013. 2,404 women of reproductive age were interviewed Samples were selected using a two-stage stratified sampling process. Descriptive and logistic regression methods of analysis were used to analyze utilization of modern family planning and the factors associated with it.Result: The mean age of respondents’ was 28.6 years (S.D=8.67). The most commonly used methods of family planning are injectable. Multivariable analysis showed that discussion with partner/husband about family planning practice in the last 6 months (AOR=6.1, 95%CI=4.73-7.81) and respondents knew health extension workers providing family planning services (AOR=1.57, 95% CI=1.23-2.01) were significantly associated with the use of modern family planning methods.Conclusion: Results of this study revealed that the number of respondents who have discussed with husband/partner about family planning and respondents who knew the family planning service providers were high utilizers of modern family planning methods. Our findings also indicated that current use of modern family planning increases with women’s education, and creating a conductive environment for women’s education is critical. Additional efforts are required to promote modern family planning utilization, partner participation, and couple counselling for join to decision making to improve modern family planning use. Key words: Family planning, Modern methods, Utilization, Reproductive age, Partner discussio

Implicit prices of indigenous cattle traits in central Ethiopia: Application of revealed and stated preference approaches

The diversity of animal genetic resources has a quasi-public good nature that makes market prices inadequate indicator of its economic worth. Applying the characteristics theory of value, this research estimated the relative economic worth of the attributes of cattle genetic resources in central Ethiopia. Transaction level data were collected over four seasons in a year and choice experiment survey was done in five markets to generate data on both revealed and stated preferences of cattle buyers. Heteroscedasticity efficient estimation and random parameters logit were employed to analyse the data. The results essentially show that attributes related to the subsistence functions of cattle are more valued than attributes that directly influence marketable products of the animals. The findings imply the strong need to invest on improvement of attributes of cattle in the study area that enhance the subsistence functions of cattle that their owners accord higher priority to support their livelihoods than they do to tradable products

Impact of Improved Maize Adoption on Welfare of Farm Households in Malawi: A Panel Data Analysis

This paper assesses improved maize adoption in Malawi and examines the link between adoption and household welfare using a three-year household panel data. The distributional effect of maize technology adoption is also investigated by looking at impacts across wealth and gender groups. We applied control function approach and IV regression to control for endogeneity of input subsidy and improved maize adoption. We found that modern maize variety adoption is positively correlated with the household’s own maize consumption, income and asset holdings. We found evidence that improved maize adoption has stronger impact on welfare of female-headed households and poorer households

Impact of Improved Maize Adoption on Welfare of Farm Households in Malawi: A Panel Data Analysis

This paper assesses improved maize adoption in Malawi and examines the link between adoption and household welfare using a three-year household panel data. The distributional effect of maize technology adoption is also investigated by looking at impacts across wealth and gender groups. We applied control function approach and IV regression to control for endogeneity of input subsidy and improved maize adoption. We found that modern maize variety adoption is positively correlated with the household’s own maize consumption, income and asset holdings. We found evidence that improved maize adoption has stronger impact on welfare of female-headed households and poorer households