Development of E-Skin Sensors and Their Applications

This is a poster presentation. The poster will present the students\u27 research results on E-skin sensor development and application

Roles of Tourism/Ecotourism in Conservation and Development in Ethiopia

The aim of this review is to highlight the roles of tourism/ecotourism in conservation and development in Ethiopia. Tourism industry is currently emerging as one of the most important economic sectors in the world. In 2013, tourism accounted for 6 % of the world’s overall exports, 9.1 % of the employment (1 in 11 jobs) and 9 % of the Gross Domestic Product (GDP). In line with the growth of international tourism, the tourism industry in Ethiopia is now growing fast. Indeed, there is a great potential for the development of the tourism industry in Ethiopia. Ethiopia has many remarkable natural, historical and cultural tourist attractions. It is one of the most important tourist destinations in the world. International tourist arrivals in Ethiopia increased from 138,856 in 1997 to 596,341 in 2012. Tourism receipts (revenues) also increased from USD 43 million in 1997 to USD 1.2 billion in 2012. Tourism is, generally, with minimum impacts on the environment. Moreover, tourism contributes to the conservation and management of natural, historical and cultural resources. Some of the revenues generated from tourism can be used (should be used) for conservation of biodiversity (establishment and management of protected areas, greening landscapes), preservation and restoration of historical and cultural resources and raising the environmental awareness of residents and visitors. Tourism significantly contributes to the local and national economy. In 2011, tourism accounted for 6.6 % of the overall export. In 2012, tourism generated over 700,000 jobs and accounted for 2.29 % of the GDP. Therefore, tourism plays a great role in natural and cultural heritage conservation and socio-economic development. Ethiopia needs to promote sustainable tourism including ecotourism. On the other hand, if tourism is not properly planned and managed, tourism development can lead to negative economic, socio-cultural and environmental impacts. Tourism development in Ethiopia should be based on the principles of sustainability – social equity, economic efficiency and environmental sustainability. Sustainable tourism maximizes the benefits of tourism and minimizes its negative impacts. Ethiopian tourism, through effective policy and plans, is expected to make major progress in the future. Keywords: Conservation, Development, Ecotourism, Ethiopia, Sustainability, Tourism, Tourist attraction

Gender Mainstreaming in Ethiopian Agricultural Research System: Approaches, Progresses and Prospects

This paper presents efforts, approaches and progresses of gender mainstreaming in Ethiopian Agricultural Research System from 2005 to 2015. The study used information sources, such as institutional assessment, annual performance and research progress reports, and field-level case studies. Efforts of gender mainstreaming in Ethiopian agricultural research system have been underway since mid-1990s to encourage gender-disaggregated data collection and analysis. However, formal gender mainstreaming efforts were commenced in 1999 while institutionalizing gender issues in the research system. Since 1999, various gender mainstreaming approaches, such as, establishment of a gender mainstreaming unit at the headquarters and gender focal units at research centers, sorting out of gender mainstreaming priorities, organizational assessment, development and implementation of a national gender mainstreaming strategy and action plan, implementation of capacity building for gender analysis, establishment of international research links, and enforcement of women affirmative actions at workplace, had been applied. Due to the efforts made and approaches used so far, researchers’ awareness and understanding towards the relevance of gender issue in the research system had improved. Hence, the developments of technologies that address different gender categories had been increasingly availability to the rural women. The generation of these technologies consecutively contributed for the improvement of the benefit of women from research outputs from 5% in 2005 to 31% in 2015. Despite the progresses, the integration of gender in the research stages is limited in addressing differentiated needs of gender categories due to inadequate availability of gender disaggregated data by the research commodity. Hence, as part of the gender mainstreaming efforts, gender disaggregated information should be generated and take while research planning and implementation is undertaken. Keywords: Gender mainstreaming approaches, agricultural researc

The Food Crisis: A New-Found Momentum to Redefine African Agricultural Policies

The unprecedented magnitude of the current global food crisis took the world by surprise. Its hardest-hit victim, Sub-Saharan Africa (“SSA”), is in the midst of its worst food crisis in recent history. Immediate responses such as food-aid and cash-handout programs, although necessary to address the urgent humanitarian dimensions of the food crisis, are not long-term solutions. Attaining a sustainable solution to SSA’s reoccurring food crises requires that African governments engage the international community in candid discourses tackling the crisis’ main cause, namely the inherent structural fallacies of these countries’ agricultural policies. The recent food riots and civil unrest that occurred in many of these countries should incentivize such policy discourse, as SSA’s fragile peace is closely linked with governments’ willingness and ability to offer and sustain long- term solutions to food security

Effect of Feeding Graded Level of Dried Acacia Saligna Leaves on Milk Yield and Milk Composition of Crossbred Dairy Cows Fed Grass Hay as Basal Diet

The study was conducted to evaluate the effect of feeding graded level of Acacia saligna leaves on dry matter intake, milk yield and milk composition of crossbred dairy cows. Four treatments namely grass hay + 3.00kg wheat bran as a control (T1), control + 2.50Kg A. saligna leaves per day (T2), control + 3.75kg A. saligna leaves per day (T3), control and 5kg A. saligna leaves per day (T4). The experiment lasted for 120 days at four periods (each period containing 20 days) following 10 days adaptation through cross over design using four lactating cows. Feed offered, refused and milk yield were measured daily. For milk composition, milk samples were analyzed from each treatment during the second and last week of each period using lactoscan milk analyzer. CP contents were 6.55, 16.2 and 14.8 for native grass hay, wheat bran and dried A. saligna leaves, respectively. The milk fat contents were 5.2, 4.24, 5.1 and 4.6 for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. The protein contents were also 3.0, 3.97, 3.10 and 3.06 for T1, T2, T3 and T4, respectively. The average milk yield for the treatments was ranged from 6.26-6.61 lit/day. The results showed that there was no significant difference (P>0.05) in daily dry matter intake and milk compositions but there was significant difference (P<0.05) in milk yield.  Supplementation of lactating cows with dried A. saligna leaves increased milk yield. Hence, dried A. saligna leaves can be used as alternative feed sources for dairy farming. Keywords: Dry matter intake, Feed intake, Milk quality, Supplementation

Agricultural Research System of Ethiopia: Past History and Future Vision

Agricultural Research in Ethiopia began in Jimma and Ambo in 1952 and was extended to the then College of Agriculture at Alemaya in 1957 and later in 1965 included Debre Zeit. Realizing the importance of agricultural research in economic development the Ethiopian government established the Institute of Agricultural Research (IAR) in 1966 as a semiautonomous organization under the general supervision of the Ministerial Board of Directors. The specific mandates of the Institution of Agricultural Research was to: Formulate national agricultural research policies, Coordinate national agricultural research Undertake research in its centers and sub-centers located in various agro-ecological zones of the country

Factors affecting procurement performance of public higher education institutions: the case of Jimma University

Public procurement is a key tool to the overall achievements of development goals such as reducing poverty and providing health, infrastructure, education and other services hence immensely contribute to best utilization of public resources. The limited public resources should be properly managed to get the most out of these resources. Despite its importance, limited scientific research has been undertaken to examine the factors that influence procurement performance in public institutions in the case of higher public institutions. This study aimed to examine factors that affect procurement performance in public higher institutions a case of Jimma University. Specifically, the study sought to examine the variables procurement planning, resource allocations, staff competency, information technology, procurement process and procurement follow-up mechanisms that affect the performance of procurement. The study was conducted through a descriptive design of research. The study employed purposive sampling technique to select the respondents. The sample size of the study is 257 respondents from academic and administrative staffs who currently working at management position and have direct relationship with procurement activities. A structured questionnaire and interview as a data collection instrument were used. The field data was statistically analyzed using descriptive statistics and narrative summary analyses. Findings indicate that procurement planning, employee competency, Information technology, procurement process, procurement follow up mechanism and organizational structure are highly affect the performance of procurement function and resource allocation or budget allocation affect the procurement process at minimum level. Key Words: Procurement Performance, procurement planning, employee competency, Information technology, procurement process, Organizational structureJimma Universit

Analysis of Wheat Yield Gap and Variability in Ethiopia

Wheat is among important cereal crops to ensuring food and nutrition security in developing countries like Ethiopia. The demand for wheat is projected as significantly increases mainly due to a rapidly population growth in the countries. Globally, wheat yield must grow at least by 1.6%. Whereas, in Ethiopia, the yield must grow from the current level 4.6 million tons to 10 million tons. This paper hence, presents the analysis of wheat yield and the underlying causes of its variability among farmers across major wheat growing areas of the country. Data was used from the farm-household survey conducted in 2014/15 by EIAR in collaboration with CIMMYT. Supplementary secondary data on wheat area, production and consumption, and available wheat varieties were used from CSA and MoARD. Data were analyzed using various techniques (including descriptive, inferential statistics and regression analysis).  One way ANOVA was used to analyze the yield variability; whereas Weighted Least Square method was applied to identify the underlying causes for the variability of wheat yield among farmers. The result indicates that the average wheat production level per hectare (2.7 tons/ha) has been on the increase with inter annual variability, but the yield level is very low as compared to that of the research station (6-7 tons/ha) and the estimated average potential (5 tons/ha) in highland areas of the country. The yield gap analysis shows that 61%, 55% and 46% of wheat yield gap existed when the national average yield was compared with that of the actual yield at research station, farmers’ plot and potential yield at highland part of the country, respectively. The empirical analysis found there is statistically significant level of yield variability among wheat growers. The findings of the study revealed that use of improved technologies and production inputs, household assets, support services, and agro-ecologies were the primary factors that cause wheat yield variation in Ethiopia. It is recommended that site-specific wheat production management, technology requirement map, proper institutional support services and sustainable natural resource management following inter and intra-farm/plot variability. Keywords: Wheat, yield gap, yield variability, wheat growing areas, Ethiopia DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/10-9-05 Publication date:May 31st 2020