RETRACTED] Land Redistribution Policy in Amhara National Regional State: The Case of Basoliben Woreda, East Gojjam Zone, North-Western Ethiopia

Soil erosion occurs throughout the world and is a very serious problem especially in dry land areas of Ethiopia. Rural inhabitants try to develop some erosion control measures to reduce the negative impacts; however, the role of the women is not known and deserves to be studied to understand how land degradation processes are mitigated. Hence, the main goal of this study is to identify the determinant variables of women’s participation in soil and water conservation (SWC) practices in Shebel Berenta Woreda of Amhara Region in Ethiopia as a study case. Mixed-research method with sequential explanatory research design was employed through survey questionnaire, interview, key informant interview, focus group discussion, and field observation as data collection methods since 2019. Descriptive statistics and a binary logistic regression model were used to analyze the collected quantitative data. The result showed a significant number of respondents (86.4%) frequently participate in SWC, while 14.6% do not. Among those participated in SWC, 55.6%, 18.85 %, and 42.8% were highly involved in terracing, vegetation cover, and compost preparation as a part of SWC practices, respectively. In addition, 50.4% has participated in decision making about SWC, while 49.6% had not any involvement. The binary logistic regression model analysis shows widowed women (adjusted odds ratio [AOR] = 0.23, 95% confidence interval [CI] = 0.001, 0.814, P = .038); are able to read and write (AOR = 0.164, 95% CI = 0.027, 0.995, P = .049); have secondary education and higher levels (AOR = 0.139, 95% CI = 0.022, 0.874, P = .035). Similarly, those who do not have farm land (AOR = 0.263, 95% CI = 0.072, 0.964, P = .044); their lands do not show soil erosion (AOR = .043, 95% CI = 0.006, 0.296, P = .001); have not discussions about SWC (AOR = 0.142, 95% CI = 0.021, 0.952, P = .044); not receiving any advice to apply them (AOR = 0.145, 95% CI = 0.030, 0.694, P = .016) were variables that determine women’s participation in SWC. Therefore, the local government should work on awareness transference, providing new technologies, and building complete infrastructures to achieve better results of SWC.

This study aimed at investigating LULC detection and the role of community leader in the conflict transformation among the adjacent Afar and Oromo ethnic groups in Afar and Amhara National Regional States. Supervised classification with maximum likelihood techniques were used for image classification and Multi-stage purposive sampling procedure was used for the selection of both study district and kebeles. Both primary and secondary data were used. The primary data was gathered through focus group discussions, key informant interviews, case studies and personal observations. A total of 12 focus group discussions and 42 key informant interviews were held in six adjacent kebeles of the two districts. The period of 2009 to 2018 bare land is increased by 161.21 km2 where as bushed grass land is decreased by 160.15 km2. This may be resulted from population and livestock pressure on land. The major causes of conflict identified were attached resource competition on farm land, grazing land and theft. Institutions applied in conflict transformation in the study area are mostly by customary institutions with some degree of cooperation with the formal one. The result also shows some challenges attached to the law and local judges’ viz. limited legal permissive stance, urbanization, community trust issue against clan elders in the process of integrating the two law sources. This paper recommends full recognition of the joint roles of Makaabon’s and Aba Gada’s through creating reporting systems of local tribunal activities for the state and capacity building for them by the state and NGOs. In order to legitimize the role of the leader and incorporate customary laws into the formal system, the customary law laws of both ethnic groups should be studied and written further, potential points of adjustment and cooperation must be identified, broader policy and legislative options has to be set, and laws contradict the country’s constitution.

The main purpose of this study is to examine the causes of tax evasion and tax avoidance of tax payers’ reflection from Debre Markos town. Stratified sampling technique was applied to select respondents based on the nature of the tax payers by category A, B and C tax payers. The required sample was determined through proportional random approach from each stratum & a total of 365 taxpayers were taken as a sample. For the accomplishment of this study, the researcher used primary sources of data. Primary data were obtained through distribution of self-administered questionnaires to sampled respondents of 365 tax payers. The collected data has been analyzed through descriptive statistics by statistical package for social science (SPSS) software for the purpose of this study. The implications of these results were low quality of the service in return for taxes, absence of tax morality, non-existence of an equitable & efficient tax system and the existence of high tax rate. Poor relationship of tax payers & the authority, lack of adequate enforcement for default, lack of adequate tax incentives and greed and selfishness are not the major reasons for tax evasion and tax avoidance in the study area. Therefore, I recommended that, the town’s tax authority should promote the quality of public services, transparency and control of the public budget and minimize low tax morale by promoting a tax-paying citizen culture and educating taxpayers. Keywords: Tax Evasion, Tax Avoidance, Taxpayers, Causes, Ethiopia DOI: 10.7176/JESD/12-9-01 Publication date: May 31 st 2021

This article deals with the role and meaning of Amharic oral poetry of the peasants of East Gojjam in response to the 1996-97 rural land redistribution policy and its implementation in the Amhara National Regional State (ANRS). By focusing on how the relations between peasants, local officials, and the state were expressed in light of their social, political, and administrative context, I trace peasant responses to, and views and attitudes about, the land policy, which was carried out exclusively in the ANRS. I also outline the role of oral poetry in contemporary rural politics, in an area where the majority of the population is illiterate and where writing is not a significant medium of expression. By employing various genres of Amharic oral poetry, the peasants of Gojjam voice their impressions, grievances, protest, or support towards the state's agrarian policies, the local officials, the categorization of peasants (see below), and local conflicts. In his authoritative book, Wax and Gold , Donald Levine (1965:269) wrote that the genius of Ethiopian peasants is visible in the stories, songs, verses, proverbs, etc., that make up their rich oral literature. Within the oral tradition, a good deal of original expression and personalized commentary are found, especially in verse. In my study about contemporary politics and local administration in East Gojjam, the peasants' poems and songs comprise a wide variety of forms that differ according to subject, occasion, and context. Whenever local conflicts between peasants and officials arise, the peasants compose their

Land reform in South Africa: Beneficiary participation and impact on land use in the Waterberg District

Land registration programs on a large scale aimed at strengthening the land rights of farm households in Ethiopia have been executed in different degrees across different regions since 1998. This study investigates the contribution of land registration on the perceived tenure security of farmers, farmer confidence, women and marginalized groups, and sustainable land-management practice after receiving a land holding certificate in the dryland areas of East Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia. Face-to-face interviews were conducted with 385 households selected by using stratified random sampling techniques. Furthermore, focus group discussions and key informants are primary data sources. According to an investigation of qualitative and quantitative data, 163 households have a mean of 0.40 ha of agricultural land on steep slope areas, and approximately 26% of households are afraid of land redistribution and farm loss in the next five years. Moreover, 22% of households fear the government taking their farm plot at any time. Respondents, on the other hand, believe that land registration has reduced the landlessness of women, the disabled, and the poorest of the poor while increasing the landlessness of youths. After land registration, household participation in land-management practices increased by 15%. Despite this, the difference in the mean of major crop yields per household is insignificant, except for wheat, which decreased significantly at the p < 0.1 level. The study determined household head age, household size, land management training and advice, livestock holdings, and the mean distance from farm to settlement as influential factors for increasing construction of water-harvesting systems. Land registration, in general, enhances land tenure security, land-management practice, and land rights of women and marginalized groups of societies, but did not improve crop productivity. The findings should persuade policymakers to address potential sources of insecurity, such as future land redistribution issues.

Revenge and other social conflicts among individuals and communities usually occur in Denbia District. Revenge is an extension of destructive conflicts. It is an intrinsic, inevitable, and unavoidable aspect of social life which occurs during human interaction. Conflicts are inherent, because human beings have varying interests and needs. They are also inherent at the same time, because it is impossible to meet the needs and desires of all people simultaneously. Conflict results both constructive and destructive consequences. Destructive conflicts that end up in blood revenge often flows from narrowly defined or rigid goals, and most often produces negative results. Revenge has been one of the social problems practiced in the district of Denbia. Disputes lead to conflicts, and revenge becomes a potential result of conflict in turn in the district of Denbia. This problem is also a social and legal issue in Amhara National Regional State, because it causes life loss, physical injury, property loss and social instability. It disrupts the life of individuals and peaceful existence of groups. Revenge involves initial victims and perpetrators, families, close and distant relatives of both victims and perpetrator. Initial victims may search for opportunities to retaliate blood for blood or any other ways. Hence, it becomes a circular social problem where victims at one occasion will be perpetrators on the next having retaliated the initial perpetrator. This research deals on the Economic and Socio-cultural Sources, Consequences and Intervention Mechanisms of Revenge in Amhara National Regional State: The Case of Denbia District. Therefore, the researcher employed qualitative research approach and gathered data through in-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis. A Victim of revenge and released perpetrators, and other community members used during the in-depth interview. Moreover, the researcher used focus group discussions with the peace and reconciliation committee, police officers, and legal professionals who have deeper experience resolution of disputes, conflicts and revenge. Because of the nature of the information collected from respondents, the researcher used thematic analysis, discourse analysis and content analysis all together. The findings of the study have shown that revenge, caused familial and societal problems in the district of Denbia District. Among the forty five kebeles some areas of the district are severely vulnerable for blood revenge killings consisted of higher rates of murder. Insignificant disputes and conflicts raised commonly because of land, grudge, alcoholism, women driven, money driven, stealing, revealing a secret, and other daily based conflicts eventually ended up with blood revenge killings. Mainly, Land conflicts lead to disastrous effects on individuals as well as on groups and end up with blood revenge among family members at the highest number. The number of people who lost their lives in blood revenge killings in five years from 2011 up to 2015 in Denbia district is raised to one hundred and twenty-one.

The present study was conducted in Debre Markos city, Amhara National Regional State, East Gojjam Administrative Zone. The town is situated in the north west of the capital city of Ethiopia, Addis Ababa at a distance of 300 Km. On the title of challenges, opportunities and management practice of pig production in Debre Markos Town, East Gojjam Zone in Amahra Regional State, Ethiopia. The objectives of the study were to assess the existing production system of pig in Debre Markos town, to investigate challenges and opportunities of pig production in the study area, and to examine the religious and cultural restriction of pork consumption. The data were collected through purposive sampling method based on the pig producer and non-producer perception of pig by using semistructural questionnaire on 30 household who live in Debre Markos town. The collected data were analyzed using central tendency of descriptive statics. Based on the result the majority of producer fallowed semintensive production 42.8% and fallowed by two production system (extensive 28.6% and intensive 28.6%). The majority of pigs give their first piglet were ranges between 3-5 months of age (85.6%) and minimum number of pigs give their first piglet at the age of above five months (14.4%). This shows good productivity and reproductivty of pigs in the study area. The major feed resources of pig feeds as ranked by keepers were grass (100%) followed by hotel food residues (86%) and cereal grain (43%). The major feeding system of pig in the study area were combination of grazing with stall feeding (43%) fallowed by stall feeding and frees grazing (29%) and few are feed pigs grazing on pasture land. The frequency feeding pigs in the study area were majorly three times per day (43%) in the morning at the midday and at night and the rest feeds their pigs free choice and 2 times per day (29%) for each. The major water resources of pigs water supply as ranked by keepers were river (71%) followed by tape water (43%). Majority of constraint faced by producer to pig production in the study areas reported according to their order of importance include lack of market (100%), poor attitude of society (100%), followed by feed availability and cost (57.1%), shortage of water (42.8%), lack of labor (42.8%), lack of skilled veterinarians (28.6%), high cost of medicine (14.3%) and on pig diseases and poor preventive health care (14.3%). From the results of this study it can be concluded that pig production system resulted in significantly higher returns compared with other production of farm animals but religious taboos 100% restrict to consume the meat of pork.

The importance of transportation in the development of economies around the world can’t be overemphasized; because a well-developed transportation system plays a vital role in the economic development of the country. Though, rural infrastructure such as rural roads is very important, rural road investments do not occur in a vacuum. Hence, the economic importance of the intended road should be assessed before the implementation of the project. This document is prepared for an economic justification of the proposed Debre Elias – Yewula Road Project. Debre Elias Woreda is one of the most productive woredas in East Gojjam Zone and it is the main wheat-producing woreda in Amhara National Regional State (ANRS) known as the breadbasket of the west gojjam zone. And also, it is suitable for a variety of agricultural products such as crops, fruits, and vegetables as well as livestock production. Debre Elias woreda contributes more than 10% of east gojjam zone major crops production such as Teff, Wheat, Maize, and sesame. This woreda contributes more than 17% and 10% of the total wheat and maize production in east gojjam zone. In addition, Debre Elias Woreda is home to people who have made great contributions to the country and the world. For example, Kegn Geta Yoftaye Nigussie, Dr. Hadis Alemayehu, Abune Theophilos; Melaku Begosew, Dr. Esayiyas Aleme Engida, and others. In the tourism sector, it is a woreda with many natural and man-made places and resources to be visited. For example, Selassie Monastery, Debre Elias Church; Debre Genet Abo Church, the Abba Fekikh Yassin grave, Forty-four Ponds, the Nile Springs, and the Abba Tekle-Alpha Pillar are very historic places and have many visitors every day. Moreover, Debre Elias woreda has various types of natural resources and minerals such as gums and resins, sand, granite, marble, coal, quartz, iron, and others. Especially this woreda is the source of industry and construction minerals such as granite, quartz, and sandstone with coverage of more than 4500 ha, 3000 ha, and 4800 ha respectively. Though Debre Elias Woreda has great potential in agricultural production, natural resources, tourism and human resources, it has no quality road yet to utilize its potential. Therefore, it is recommended that, the implementation of the intended road project will help to utilize the potential of the woreda and it is a great fortune for the region as well as the country.

A study was conducted to investigate the role of Urban Agriculture in improving household income and dietary diversity the case of Bure and FinoteSelam Towns. For study, two Kebeles were selected using purposive sampling techniques based on their potentials and existing trained in urban agriculture. Accordingly, from the two Kebeles, a total of 242 sampled respondents were selected. Both primary and secondary data types were used for this specific study. Survey questionnaires, focus group discussion, key informant interview and personal observation were major data collected methods. The study was analyzed by using SPSS software version 20 by binary logistic model and descriptive statistics. The study also shows the major reasons why urban agriculture practionaier were engaging in the business like to earn additional income (57.6%), as means of employment opportunities (18.5%) and other multiple responses (14.1%). Also inconvenience working place, lack of awareness on the importance of the business and time scarcity were the major reasons of the non urban agriculture practionors for not engaging in the business. According to this study ,urban agriculture has statically significant to the enhancement of the dietary urban household in the consumption patterns of diversified types of food items by urban agriculture practisers than non-practionors particularly of tuber roots, vegetables ,fruits ,eggs legumes and milks. Inadequate extension supports &training, shortages & high costs of inputs and inconvenience the working place were the major production related constraints and also lower prices of products, transportation problems and price manipulations by middle men were the three major market related problems of urban agriculture (UA) in the study area. Specifically, logistic regression analysis revealed respondents’ land access, current occupation of the respondents, extension support, credit availability and training as the significant factors determining urban agriculture in the study area. The study concludes the urban farmers produce a variety of vegetables and livestock products for home use and/or market. This UA products particularly dairy business, garden vegetable production, fruits and poultry products played significant role in improving household income and diversifying the dietary intake of both UA practitioners and non-practitioners. Besides these UA has other major economic contributions include employment and income generation for several youth groups in the study towns. To overcome such a problem, policy makers and urban planners should give Special attention and priority support for the implantation and expansion of urban agriculture business in the study towns in particular and the country in general. Keywords : urban agriculture, constraints, non urban agriculture, dietary, engagement, household income DOI : 10.7176/DCS/9-9-01 Publication date :September 30 th 2019

The current study is about assessing the practices and challenges of tourism product development evidence from Choke Mountains and its environment. Qualitative research approach has been adopted in the study. Purposive sampling techniques were employed to select key informants. 13 participants were interviewed, and two focus groups were held. The researcher conducted face to face interview by using both structured and semi structured interview questions. With respect to data sources, both primary and secondary data sources were utilized. Interview, focus group discussion and field observation were main data gathering instruments used to collect data for this study. As far as data analysis is concerned, structured narrative analysis techniques were applied. With respect to the result researcher found that Choke Mountain is rich in natural, cultural and historical tourism potential. This study proved that the practice of tourism product development is so limited and need the involvement of all respective stockholders. The other finding of this study indicts that overgrazing, deforestation, illegal community settlement, unlimited use of lands for farming purpose and lack of educated human resource are the major challenges that bottlenecked for practices of tourism product development in the area. The current study is expected to benefit local communities, local & regional government and tourism service providers finally it provides a contribution in the field of research and researcher can use this work as reference. Keywords: Practices, Challenges, Tourism Product Development, Coke Mountain, Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia DOI: 10.7176/JTHS/60-02 Publication date: January 31 st 2022

Weather information (WI) related reliability problems and constraints are commonly reported factors for farmers’ adaptation decisions to climate-induced impacts in Ethiopia. However, the level of reliability of the WI, kinds of the WI constraints, and how these constraints impede farmers’ adaptation decisions have not systematically been studied. The present study investigated the reliability and constraints of WI from farmers’ perspective in East Gojjam Zone. Three hundred fifty-eight farm households were selected from three woredas through random sampling. Interview surveys, focus group discussions, and key informant interviews were applied to generate quantitative and qualitative datasets. Frequency, mean score, and correlation were employed to analyze the quantitative dataset, while descriptive-interpretative method was used to analyze the qualitative ones. The findings disclosed that farmers in the study area have diverse WI sources though only farmers’ own experiences and development agents were perceived to be reliable sources for them. The correlation coefficient results confirmed that the number of WI sources had significant positive relations with family size, and farmland size, while it had a non-significant negative correlation with the farm experiences of the household heads. The study also identified a range of socioeconomic, demographic and institutional factors, and programming mechanisms and information contents of which the four top that negatively affect farmers’ adaptation decisions were spatial ambiguity, lack of trust, lack of information about the seasonal onset, its end, and its distribution within the season. To guide farmers’ effective adaptation decisions, these constraints in the information contents of the WI have to be resolved.

The main aim of this study was to investigate the political impact of chewing khat on the chewers in Woldia City Administration of North Wollo, Amhara National Regional State. As far as the researcher's reading, no research was conducted in Ethiopia dealing with the political impact of chewing khat on chewers. Accordingly, this study was conducted using qualitative methods of data collection. Semi-structured in-depth interview, focus group discussion (FGD), and complete observation were employed during data collection. The study used phenomenology design and the findings were analyzed thematically. The study found that khat chewers’ political unconsciousness, utopian involvement in politics, and fail in conspired politics were associated with khat chewing practices. Based on this findings, the researchers recommend that awarness creation about the anxiety of khat in political life is in need.

BackgroundWomen, especially those who marry as children, experience various forms and degrees of exclusion and discrimination. Early marriage is a harmful traditional practice that continues to affect millions around the world. Though it has declined over the years, it is still pervasive in developing countries. In Ethiopia, Amhara National Regional State (or alternatively Amhara region) hosts the largest share of child-brides in the country. This study aimed at assessing the effects of early marriage on its survivors’ life conditions – specifically, empowerment and household decision-making – in western Amhara.MethodsThis study employed community-based cross-sectional study design. It adopted mixed method approach – survey, in-depth interview and focus group discussion (FGD) – to collect, analyse and interpret data on early marriage and its effects on household decision-making processes. The survey covered 1278 randomly selected respondents, and 14FGDs and 6 in-depth interviews were conducted. Statistical procedures – frequency distribution, Chi-square, logistic regression – were used to test, compare and establish associations between survey results on women empowerment for two groups of married women based on age at first marriage i.e., below 18 and at/after 18. Narratives and analytical descriptions were integrated to substantiate and/or explain observed quantitative results, or generate contextual themes.ResultsThis study reported that women married at/after 18 were more involved in household decision-making processes than child-brides. Child-brides were more likely to experience various forms of spousal abuse and violence in married life. The study results illustrated how individual-level changes, mainly driven by age at first marriage, interplay with structural factors to define the changing status and roles of married women in the household and community.ConclusionAge at first marriage significantly affected empowerment at household level, and women benefited significantly from delaying marriage. Increase in age did not automatically and unilaterally empowered women in marriage, however, since age entails a cultural definition of one’s position in society and its institutions. We recommend further research to focus on the nexus between the household and the social-structural forms that manifest at individual and community levels, and draw insights to promote women’s wellbeing and emancipation.

This article discusses the major impacts of blood feud in Amhara National Regional State (ANRS), northern Ethiopia. In-depth interviews, focus group discussions and document analysis were used to generate data. The findings revealed that blood feud has both positive and negative impacts. The positive impact is its role in promoting and strengthening unity within the relatives of counterparts. Moreover, blood feud serves as an instrument of deterrence for further killings and acts of revenges. On the same token, it facilitates family integration and cohesion of the feuding parties to ensure a common security defense. However, blood feud costs human lives in addition to its huge psychological and financial externalities upon concerned parties. It has also been resulting in family disintegrations, migration and social vulnerabilities of groups in the study areas.