Agro Pastoral Research Articles

Measuring Compound Soil Erosion by Wind and Water in the Eastern Agro–Pastoral Ecotone of Northern China

Land degradation induced by soil erosion is widespread in semiarid regions globally and is common in the agro–pastoral ecotone of northern China. Most researchers identify soil erosion by wind and water as independent processes, and there is a lack of research regarding the relative contributions of wind and water erosion and the interactions between them in what is referred to here as compound soil erosion (CSE). CSE may occur in situations where wind more effectively erodes a surface already subject to water erosion, where rainfall impacts a surface previously exposed by wind erosion, or where material already deposited by wind is subject to water erosion. In this paper, we use the Chinese Soil Loss Equation (CSLE) and the Revised Wind Erosion Equation (RWEQ) to calculate the rate of soil erosion and map the distribution of three types of soil erosion classified as (i) wind (wind-erod), (ii) water (water-erod), and (iii) CSE (CSE-erod) for the study area that spans more than 400,000 km2 of sand- and loess-covered northern China. According to minimum threshold values for mild erosion, we identify water-erod, wind-erod, and CSE-erod land as occurring across 41.41%, 13.39%, and 27.69% of the total area, while mean soil erosion rates for water-erod, wind-erod, and CSE-erod land were calculated as 6877.65 t km−2 yr−1, 1481.47 t km−2 yr−1, and 5989.49 t km−2 yr−1, respectively. Land subject to CSE-erod is predominantly distributed around the margins of those areas that experience wind erosion and water erosion independently. The CSLE and RWEQ do not facilitate a direct assessment of the interactions between wind and water erosion, so we use these equations here only to derive estimates of the relative contributions of wind erosion and water erosion to total soil erosion and the actual mechanisms controlling the interactions between wind and water erosion require further field investigation. It is concluded that CSE is an important but underappreciated process in semiarid regions and needs to be accounted for in land degradation assessments as it has substantial impacts on agricultural productivity and sustainable development in regions with sandy and/or loess-covered surfaces.

Analysis on Temporal and Spatial Pattern Change and Driving Force of Land Use in Agro Pastoral Ecotone in Northern Shanxi

Land use change is a considerable representation of mutual effect between human and natural activities. Northern Shanxi is located in the northern agro pastoral ecotone, which the land use pattern changes violently. This paper focuses on the dynamic change characteristics of cultivated land and grassland in the agro pastoral ecotone of northern Shanxi from 2000 to 2015, and explores the main driving factors of their change. It can provide support for land planning and management and relevant policy-making in northern Shanxi and promote regional sustainable development. The results showed that: ➀ There was a close interrelation between the change of cultivated land and grassland I n northern Shanxi, and the whole showed the opposite dynamic change trend. ➁The main land transfer type of cultivated land and grassland is construction land. And grassland is also the main transfer type of cultivated land. And cultivated land contributes greatly to the growth of grassland area. ➂Economic factors are the main driving force which affecting the area change of cultivated land and grassland, followed by the benefit factors of agricultural development, and finally the labor factors. ➃Economic factors can explain the shift of cultivated land and grassland in different districts and counties in northern Shanxi. The benefit factor of cultivated land development plays a negative driving role on cultivated land, the benefit of grassland development plays a promoting role on the growth of grassland area, and the driving force of labor factor is relatively small.

Determinants Choices of Drought Coping Strategies Among Boorana Pastoral Communities: The Case of Yabello Woreda, Oromiya Region, Southern Ethiopia

Drought affects all pastoral and agro pastoral communities of the world, whose their livelihood is depend on rain water. It is one of the major constraints to sustainable livelihood of these communities in the arid and semi-arid areas. However, pastorals are using different coping strategies toward its impacts even though their choices are affected by different factors. The study was taken place in Yabello woredas of Boorana Zone, Southern Ethiopia to identify the major factors that affect choices of drought coping strategies by the pastoral and agro pastoral community. A survey was conducted among 288 sample pastoral and agro pastoral households in three kebeles of Yabello woredas area. The study was used mixed method, particularly the concurrent triangulation approach as research design. The study select sample kebeles and household from the districts by Multi stage sampling technique. Multinomial logit model was used to identify the factors which affect the pastoral drought coping strategies. Accordingly, Results from choice model employed indicate that gender, age, education level, market distance, credit, livestock size and income influence Pastorals and agro pastorals choices at 1%, 5% and 10% significance level. Moreover, the result revealed pastorals and agro pastorals whose livelihood depend on rainfall are significantly affected from impact of drought sensitivity with weakened coping strategies. To conclude, there is needed to improve the capability to cope with changing environmental conditions to offsets the negative impacts of droughts.

Risk of foot and mouth disease spread through cattle movements in Uganda.

Foot and mouth disease (FMD) is endemic in Uganda, where livestock movements through porous borders and beyond play a key role in the spread of transboundary animal diseases. Data from published and unpublished sources were used to conduct a qualitative risk assessment based on the World Organisation for Animal Health framework to assess the risk of foot and mouth disease virus spread in Uganda through pastoral and trade-related cattle movements from the country's southern border districts. A scenario tree was developed as a conceptual framework, and the risk was assessed by considering factors including the cattle population, proportion of vaccinated cattle, number of live cattle legally moved from districts along the Ugandan-Tanzanian border, the production system in the destination districts and the purpose of the movement. Factors associated with higher risk included live cattle movements for pastoral/grazing and breeding purposes, particularly those towards agro-pastoral (AP) areas, which have the potential to lead to outbreaks on several farms in the destination district and other districts countrywide. Prophylactic vaccination should therefore prioritise districts from which movements of large volumes of cattle to other areas originate and the AP destination districts. Specific awareness campaigns should be conducted in destination districts to improve preventative measures and farm biosecurity levels. This study will inform the revision of the risk-based strategic plan, aimed at reducing FMD impacts in Uganda, as the country progresses along the progressive control pathway for FMD.

Plant diseases in afforested crop-livestock systems in Brazil

Integrated crop-livestock systems (ICLS) include diversified agricultural practices, like crops and animals grazing in the same area and frequently with afforestation. A return to these practices has been proposed in recent years, aiming to reach some benefits that may include a reduction in plant diseases, one of the main constraints in Brazilian crops. However, these benefits rely mainly on the resilience and the self-regulating capacity of the systems, and practical examples of the influence of ICLS on plant diseases are still scarce. The objective of the present work is to show how ICLS arrangements can reduce plant diseases. We carried out a four years investigation on soybean and corn diseases in agropastoral (AP) and agrosilvopastoral (ASP) systems, compared to a non-integrated control (CO), in a long-term field experiment established in 2006 in the region of Campos Gerais, Paraná state, Brazil. The tree component of the ASP system was eucalyptus and silver oak. Soybean and corn were cultivated alternately as summer crops, and the natural occurrence of diseases evaluated from 2012 to 2015 sowings. Results show that the agricultural diversification promoted by ICLS can reduce foliar diseases intensity, and the ASP system showed the best results. The rust severity was 28.2 and 34.2% in ASP and AP systems in 2012, and 8.5 and 12.4% in ASP and AP in 2014. White-spot severity was 1.6, 2.2, and 3.1% in ASP, AP, and CO systems in 2013, and 0.6, 1.3, and 1.3% in ASP, AP, and CO in 2015. Other diseases, like downy-mildew on soybean and gray-leaf-spot on corn, were also less severe in ASP compared to other systems. Micrometeorological variables recorded inside soybean and corn canopy contributed to understanding the influence of ICLS arrangements on plant diseases, allowing concluding that microclimate is the main drive influencing disease reduction in the aerial part of crops in ICLS. The ICLS, mainly the agrosilvopastoral system, pose as a less diseases susceptible and consequently an environmentally friendly system. Knowing the requirements of the pathogens of a crop species is fundamental in planning a production system, avoiding or minimizing risks. The influence of trees on plant diseases of afforested production systems is discussed.

Differences in Underlying Causes of Infant Malnutrition Between a Pastoral and an Agro Pastoral Community in Ethiopia

Abstract Objectives To determine the difference in underlying factors related to child nutritional status between pastoral and agro pastoral based communities in Ethiopia. Methods This cross-sectional study was conducted in two rural pastoral communities located in the Somali region and agro pastoral community located in Southern Nations. Pairs of mothers and their infants aged 6 to 52 months were randomly selected to participate in the survey. Data was collected using the Household Food Insecurity Access Scale, Dietary Diversity, and Sanitation for Household Survey. Anthropometric measurements taken included height, length, and weight using WHO Anthro version 3.2.2. Chi-square tests were used to assess differences between communities. Logistic regression were used to analyze factors that contributed to infant health status. Results A total of 232 participants from both communities completed the survey. The agro pastoral community reported a higher food insecurity rate at 87% than the pastoral community at 70%. The prevalence of women not achieving the minimum dietary diversity was significantly higher in the pastoral community than the agro pastoral community (94% vs 68%, P < .001). Similarly, more households in the pastoral community reported accessing drinking water from unimproved sources (64% vs 0.9%, P < .001) and using unimproved toilet facilities (97% vs. 77%, P < .001) than the agropastoral community. Although almost all participants from both the agropastoral and pastoral communities reported washing their hands during critical times (100% and 96%) respectively. In addition, the pastoral community had significantly higher prevalence rates of infants’ wasting (44.5% vs 0%, P < .001) and underweight (47.8% vs 7.7%, P < .001) than the agro pastoral community. Conclusions Even though the prevalence of food insecurity was higher in the agro pastoral community than the pastoral community, they had lower rates of infant malnutrition. In contrast, although the pastoral community reported a lower rate of food insecurity, they had higher rates of child wasting and underweight, reported low dietary diversity, and poor hygiene practices. Based on these findings, dietary diversity and environmental sanitation may be protective of child wasting and underweight over and above food insecurity. Funding Sources Feed the Future Livestock Systems Innovation Lab (LSIL).

Dietary Diversity and Meal Frequency Practices among Children Aged 6-23 Months in Agro Pastoral Communities in Afar Region, Ethiopia: A Cross-sectional Study

ABSTRACTIntroduction: Inappropriate infant and young child feeding practices in the first two years of life are among the major causes of childhood malnutrition in developing countries, including Ethiopia. Dietary diversity refers to increasing the consumption of a variety of foods across and within the food groups. Therefore, this study aimed to assess the minimum dietary diversity and minimum meal frequency practices among children aged 6–23 months in Agro pastoral communities, Afar Region, Ethiopia.Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study was conducted from December 1–30, 2018. A multi-stage stratified sampling followed by a systematic random sampling technique was used to select participants. An interviewer-administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis was employed to identify factors associated with minimum dietary diversity and meal frequency. The adjusted odds ratios (AOR) together with their corresponding 95% confidence intervals (CI) were computed to see the association between the outcome and independent variables. The statistical significance was declared at p-value <0.05.Results: The proportion of children who met the minimum dietary diversity and meal frequency were 21.8% (95% CI: 19.0%-24.7%) and 43.8% (95% CI: 40.4%-47.2%) respectively. Maternal education (AOR = 2.5, 95% CI = 1.1–5.3 and AOR = 3.9, 95% CI = 1.3–11.5), maternal occupation (AOR = 4.2, 95% CI = 2.3–7.8), sex of child (AOR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.5–4.5) and history of postnatal care visit (AOR = 1.8, 95% CI = 1.1–3.2) were independently associated with minimum dietary diversity. Similarly, age of child (AOR = 2.8, 95% CI = 1.4–5.5 and AOR = 5.3, 95% CI = 2.3–12.4), sex of child (AOR = 2.6, 95% CI = 1.4–4.6) and history of postnatal care visit (AOR = 2.2, 95% CI = 1.3–3.8) were the factors significantly associated with minimum meal frequency practices.Conclusions: The current study showed that the proportions of children who met the minimum dietary diversity and meal frequency were low. Increasing maternal education, being a housewife, being a male child and attending a postnatal care visit were independently associated with minimum dietary diversity. Likewise, increasing the age of a child, being a male child and attending a postnatal care visit were significantly associated with minimum meal frequency. Improving maternal education and health care utilization, health and nutrition counseling during postnatal care visits are highly recommended to improve infant and young child feeding practices.Abbreviations ANC: Ante Natal Care, DHS: Demographic and Health Surveys, EDHS: Ethiopian Demographic and Health Surveys, RERC: Research and Ethical Review Committee, IYCF: Infant and Young Child Feeding, MDD: Minimum Dietary Diversity, MMF: Minimum Meal Frequency, PNC: Post Natal Care, WHO: World Health Organization.

Water footprint assessment of sheep farming systems based on farm survey data

Water scarcity is among the main challenges making vulnerable the livestock farming systems in drylands. The water footprint (WF) indicator was proposed as a metric to measure the impacts of livestock production on freshwater resources. Therefore, this study aimed to assess water use in five different Tunisian sheep production systems using the Water Footprint Network methodology. The primary data were obtained from 1050 sheep farms located in 13 Tunisian provinces. A multivariate analysis was performed to characterize the different farming systems. A validation step of the WF modeled values of sheep meat was conducted in 12 sheep farms belonging to two different farming systems. This was done through year-round monitoring of on-farm practices using water metres and recording equipment’s taking into account the direct and indirect water use. The typology analysis came up with five sheep farming systems that are the mixed sheep-cereal (MSC), the agro-sylvo-pastoral (ASP), the agro-pastoral (AP), the extensive agro-pastoral (EAP) and the mixed sheep-olive tree farming systems. The WF of sheep meat produced under the target farming systems ranged from 8654 to 13 056 l/kg live weight. The evaluation of WF of five different sheep production systems figured out that sheep raised under the EAP farming system had the greatest WF per ton of live animal. However, the ASP farming system exhibited the lowest WF. Water used to grow feedstuffs for sheep production accounts for 98% of the total WF of sheep. The green WF accounts for more than 92% of the total WF in all farming systems. Results of monitoring water use at farm scale show that the modeled values of WF are overestimated by an average of 23.3% and 24.1% for the selected farms assigned to the MSC and AP farming systems, respectively. Water use for sheep production is high in most of the Tunisian farms. Therefore, the general assumption that ‘meat production is a driver of water scarcity’ is supported and should be considered as an important focal point in agricultural and water policies. Particular attention should be given to forage crops with low WFs and high contribution to dry matter to provide ration with low WF. The efficient use of green water along the meat value chain is essential to minimize the depletion of blue water resources and to reduce the economic dependency on virtual water through the import of feedstuffs.

Pastoral production is associated with increased peste des petits ruminants seroprevalence in northern Tanzania across sheep, goats and cattle.

Peste des petits ruminants virus (PPRV) causes a contagious disease of high morbidity and mortality in small ruminant populations globally. Using cross-sectional serosurvey data collected in 2016, our study investigated PPRV seroprevalence and risk factors among sheep, goats and cattle in 20 agropastoral (AP) and pastoral (P) villages in northern Tanzania. Overall observed seroprevalence was 21.1% (95% exact confidence interval (CI) 20.1-22.0) with 5.8% seroprevalence among agropastoral (95% CI 5.0-6.7) and 30.7% among pastoral villages (95% CI 29.3-32.0). Seropositivity varied significantly by management (production) system. Our study applied the catalytic framework to estimate the force of infection. The associated reproductive numbers (R0) were estimated at 1.36 (95% CI 1.32-1.39), 1.40 (95% CI 1.37-1.44) and 1.13 (95% CI 1.11-1.14) for sheep, goats and cattle, respectively. For sheep and goats, these R0 values are likely underestimates due to infection-associated mortality. Spatial heterogeneity in risk among pairs of species across 20 villages was significantly positively correlated (R2: 0.59-0.69), suggesting either cross-species transmission or common, external risk factors affecting all species. The non-negligible seroconversion in cattle may represent spillover or cattle-to-cattle transmission and must be investigated further to understand the role of cattle in PPRV transmission ahead of upcoming eradication efforts.

Traditional Selection Criteria of Ogaden Cattle in Pastoral and Agro Pastoral Production Systems and Its Implication to Resilience of the Breed in the Face of Climate Change in the Future

Selecting for adapted livestock breeds that will produce at optimum in the anticipated climate change scenario is one way of sustaining the production system. Africa has accumulated indigenous knowledge to coping up with climate variability in the past. It is common practice to shift to livestock agriculture as climate becomes less predicted in Africa. Cattle contribute more than 80% of meat and milk in Ethiopia. The aim of this paper was to identify traditional selection criteria of Ogaden cattle breed in pastoral and agro pastoral production systems and suggest possible intervention strategies. Questionnaire survey was conducted in Wabeshebele Zone of Ethiopia, in three districts based on cattle population and accessibility on 126 households. The results of the study revealed that farmers preferred to own diversified livestock species to cope up with unpredicted climate. Milk production and body conformation were ranked first and second criteria in selecting female which were followed by adaptive characteristics such as coat color, fertility and longevity, respectively, while in male, adaptive characters such as hump size, body conformation, coat color and fertility were given priority over milk production. Selection criteria of cattle practiced in the society strongly favored adaptation and ability to perform in feed constraint environment in addition to meat, milk and fertility. However, the simplest reproductive biotechnology, AI, was rarely practiced in the study area. It was recommended that indigenous knowledge of the society on selection criteria of the cattle breed need to be integrated with utilization of assisted reproductive biotechnologies and on farm research innovations on the breed so far acquired in any improvement program of the breed in the future.

Participatory evaluation and selection of improved haricot bean varieties at liben district, lowland agro ecology of Guji zone, Oromia regional state, Ethiopia

The activity was conducted in Liben district to evaluate the yield performance of improved haricot bean varieties. 25 pastorals and agro pastorals were selected from Measa kebele with collaboration of Liben Pastoral and Agro Pastoral Office, Zonal Mobile Supporting Team and kebele leaders. The 25 pastoral and agro pastorals were grouped into one PAPRG. Then 25 PAPRG members were regrouped into three experimental pastorals and agro pastoralists. Training were given for PAPRG members. Exchange visit was arranged to share experience on the work each PAPRG. Haramaya, Awasa Dume, Ebado varieties were evaluated with standard check variety. Descriptive statistics and direct matrix ranking was used to analysis the data. Local variety give the highest yield (31kg/ha). PAPRG criteria for haricot bean production was market demand, color, disease/insect reaction, drought resistance. Accordingly, Ebado variety was preferred by PAPRGs based on marketability while Local check and Awasa Dube were selected as first and second respectively based on drought resistance, number of pod/plant, higher yield and resistance to insects. Haramaya variety was susceptible to insects. Pastoralists and agro pastoralists should use Ebado variety to increase their income and local variety for household consumption.

&lt;b&gt;Agrosilvopastoral system enhances suppressiveness to soybean damping-off caused by &lt;i&gt;Rhizoctonia solani&lt;/i&gt; and alters &lt;i&gt;Fusarium &lt;/i&gt;and &lt;i&gt;Trichoderma&lt;/i&gt; population density

Integrated crop-livestock systems (ICLS) are sustainable options for agricultural diversification, but there have been few studies on the influence of ICLS on soil microorganisms. This work investigated the influence of agropastoral (AP) and agrosilvopastoral (ASP) systems, compared with a non-integrated crop (CO) on the suppression of Rhizoctonia solani and on the density of Fusarium and Trichoderma propagules. In the first assay, soil samples were inoculated with R. solani and evaluated for soybean damping-off. After this, the soil was sterilized and re-inoculated with the pathogen for a new evaluation. Finally, 10% of the soil in the pots were substituted by newly soil samples collected from the same plots in the field to evaluate de suppressiveness transference by soil samples. In the second assay, native Fusarium and Trichoderma propagules were quantified in semi-selective media. Damping-off incidence in ASP was 70% compared to AP and CO. Evaluations with sterilized and transferred soil samples attributed this suppression to biotic factors. Fusarium propagules were retrieved in the ASP soil at 70% and 60% the amounts in AP and CO soils, respectively. Trichoderma propagules were retrieved in the ASP soil at 150% compared to AP, but similar to CO. The agrosilvopastoral system in the Brazilian subtropics has the potential to reduce pathogens and enhance beneficial microorganisms in the soil.

Participatory Evaluation and Selection of Improved Haricot bean Varieties at Liben District, Lowland Agro Ecology of Guji Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

The activity was conducted in Liben district in 2016 production season to evaluate the yield performance of improved haricot bean varieties under pastoral and agro-pastorals’ circumstances and to build pastoral and agropastorals’ knowledge and skills of production and management of improved haricot bean technologies. Based on haricot bean production potential Measa Kebele selected. With collaboration of Liben pastoral and Agro pastoral office, Zonal Mobile Supporting Team and kebele leaders 25 pastoral and agro pastoral were selected. The 25 pastoral and agro pastorals were grouped into one PAPRG. Then 25 PAPRG members were regrouped into three experimental pastoral and agro pastoralists. Training was given for PAPRG members, Development Agents and experts. Exchange visit was arranged to share experience on the work each PAPRG. Haramaya, Awasa Dume, Ebado varieties were evaluated for their performance on pastoral land with standard check variety. The collected data was analyzed by descriptive statistics and direct matrix ranking. Accordingly, local variety called Warabu recorded 31 kg/ha higher yield than expected improved haricot bean varieties. However, this local variety has no market demand. Variety selection was conducted by PAPRG based PAPRG criteria of market demand, color, disease and insect reaction, drought resistance (early maturity) and other parameters. Accordingly, Ebado variety was preferred by PAPRGs based on marketability while Local check and Awasa Dube were selected as first and second respectively based on their early mature (drought resistance), number of pod/plant, higher yield and resistance to insects. Haramaya variety was susceptible to insects. The improved varieties (Haramaya, Awasa Dube, and Ebado) being demonstrated were not showing their highest yield potential. But each of these varieties were preferred by pastoral and agro pastoralist on some crop trait. Even though Ebado was lower yield per hectare the variety was mostly preferred due to its high market demand. Pastoralists and agro pastoralists should use Ebado variety to increase their income and Warabu for household consumption.

Agricultural diversification reduces the survival period of Sclerotinia sclerotiorum sclerotia

Sclerotia produced by Sclerotinia sclerotiorum are the central component of epidemics as they are long-term survival structures. Integrated crop-livestock systems (ICLSs) are sustainable options for agricultural diversification; however, there are few studies about its influence on plant diseases. This work investigated the influence of two arrangements of ICLS: agropastoral (AP) and agrosilvopastoral (ASP) compared to a non- integrated crop (CO) on the survival period of S. sclerotiorum sclerotia, buried and on the soil surface. The study was conducted in a long-term ICLS experiment with two factors: production system with three levels (AP, ASP and CO), and nitrogen (N) doses on the winter pasture with two levels: 90 and 180 kg/ha. Sclerotia of a native S. sclerotiorum strain were multiplied, put in the field and evaluated periodically for 22 months when buried and 14 months when on the soil surface. Microorganisms grown in non-germinated sclerotia were tested as antagonists of the native and two exogenous strains of S. sclerotiorum. Sclerotia left on the soil surface had a lower survival period than the buried sclerotia and survived for 13 months. When buried, the survival period was lower in the ASP than in the AP system. When on the soil surface the survival period was lower in the AP system than in the CO and ASP. The native S. sclerotiorum sclerotia germinated less than the exogenous strains after being treated with the native microorganisms. These results show a reduction in the survival period of S. sclerotiorum sclerotia promoted by ICLSs.

Microclimate in agrosilvopastoral system enhances powdery mildew severity compared to agropastoral and non-integrated crop

While integrated crop-livestock systems including trees have received more attention during the last two decades, the epidemiology of plant diseases in these production systems is still poorly understood. Microclimatic modifications due to the type of cropping system adopted may affect the epidemic patterns. This work aimed to evaluate whether powdery mildew severity on oats (Avena strigosa and A. sativa) and on soybean (Glycine max) are affected by the cropping system and which microclimatic factors are associated with disease development. A long-term experiment was conducted to compare three systems: agropastoral (AP), agrosilvopastoral (ASP) and non-integrated crop (CO). Two rates of nitrogen (N) were applied for AP and ASP. Powdery mildew severity on oats in ASP was approximately 20× greater than in the others systems. On soybean, powdery mildew varied across systems but it was more severe in ASP, with at least 4× greater disease severity than in the other systems. Likewise, conidia of Microsphaera diffusa collected in spore traps in ASP were consistently higher than in the others systems. ASP showed shorter leaf wetness duration, higher daylight relative humidity (RH), and lower temperature amplitude compared with the other systems. Multiple regression analysis showed that leaf wetness duration and daylight RH explained best the disease variation on soybean. Our data suggest that microclimatic conditions in the ASP system are likely the main drivers of more severe powdery mildew epidemics.

Maternal Health Care Service Utilization and Associated Factors among Pastoral and Agro Pastoral Reproductive Age Women Residing in Jigjiga Town, Somali Regional State, Eastern Ethiopia

Background: Despite the implementation of different interventions, maternal health service utilization in the Ethiopian Somali regional state is still unsatisfactory. This is because the policies and interventions were simply a copy paste of the agrarian regions without considering the local pastoral and agro-pastoral communities. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess maternal health service utilization and associated factors among pastoral and agro-pastoral reproductive age women living in Jigjig town. Methods and Materials: A community based cross-sectional study was conducted in Jigjig town from June 2011. A total of 722 women who had history of child birth within the last twelve month were included in the study. A multi stage random sampling techniques was applied. Pretested structured questionnaires were used for data collection. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was estimated using multivariable logistic regression to identify independent predictors of maternal health care service utilization. Result: Out of 722 mothers involved in the study 66% had used antenatal care once for their recent pregnancy. While 115(15.9%) and 179(23%) had gave birth at health institution and had received post natal services from the nearby health institution respectively. The independent predictors for antenatal were being younger age (<35) [AOR=0.67, CI: (0.52-0.780], having positive attitude [AOR=4.8, CI: (3.5-9.0)] and being lower parity [AOR=5.9,CI (3.8-7.2) where as being married[AOR=4, CI:(3.40-9.30)], high income group [AOR=11.6,CI:(8.4-12.4) and having positive attitude [AOR=11.4,CI; (9.3-21.0) were independent predictors for institutional delivery while maternal education [AOR=5.3,CI: (5.2-6.0) was independently associated with post natal care. Conclusion: The rate of utilization of the three important maternal health services by women in Jigjiga town is lower than the previous studies done in and around Ethiopia as well as international recommendations. Hence health education addressing both couples to bring about behavioral change should be strengthened in collaboration with stake holders with in the town.

Behavioral Risk Factors of Hypertension among Pastoral and Agro Pastoral Adult Communities, Eastern Ethiopia, Somali Regional State, 2016

Background: Hypertension is a growing public health problem in many developing countries including Ethiopia. However, its prevention and control has not yet received due attention. The overall objective of the study was to assess prevalence of behavioral risk factors of hypertension among adults in Jigjig town, Somali region state, Eastern Ethiopia, from May to June, 2016. Materials and methods: A community based cross sectional study was conducted from May to June 2016 among 330 adults of 20 years old and above residing in Jigjiga town using multistage sampling technique. Data were collected through face to face interview after verbal informed consent was taken. Additionally physical measurements such as blood pressure, weight and height of the participants were measured following standard procedures. Odds ratio with 95% confidence interval was estimated using multivariable logistic regression to identify independent predictors of hypertension. Result: The overall prevalence of hypertension was 13.3% (95% CI: 10.90-15.70). Among all hypertensive people identified, 12 (28.57%) were newly screened. Family history of hypertension [AOR: 25.0 (11.65 - 98.12)], individuals who did not engaged in any kind physical activity [AOR: 16.24 (2.12 - 99.12)] and Khat chewers [AOR: 1.98 (2.987 - 5.456)] were behavioral risk factors associated with hypertension. Conclusion: There was a high prevalence of hypertension probably indicating a hidden epidemic in this community. Family history of hypertension, Khat chewing and physical inactivity was behavioral factors associated with hypertension in this study. Hence launching a strategy to screen at least adults visiting health institutions for other reasons is paramount to identify new cases. As well health education on hypertension risk reduction should be done by promoting healthy life styles such as regular physical exercise and avoiding khat chewing.

Brooding Broilers: The Experience of the Nazareth Agro- Pastoral Training and Production Centre (NAPTPC) in the North West Region of Cameroon.

The paper observes that the brooding stage in poultry production is often neglected by both poultry farmers and researchers. It then investigates into the brooding techniques, challenges, measures adopted to solve challenges at the brooding stage and the prospects of brooding broilers in the Nazareth Agro Pastoral Training and Production Centre (NAPTAPC) .Data was obtained from the centre through interviews, questioners, and discussions with all stakeholders involved in the brooding stage of production. Participant observation was equally used to obtain some of the data. The data was analyzed using descriptive statistics. The results showed that the brooding techniques used by this centre do not significantly deviate from the expected standard. It was also found that the centre suffered from the problem of loss of chicks, inadequate space, and inadequate capital for expansion and low demand for three weeks old chicks. To reduce this problem, the centre makes provision for a foot bath containing disinfectant to limit the spread of diseases, automatic generator to ensure a continuous supply of electric heat and correct administration of vaccines. Also, the surroundings as well as equipment were also kept clean. Above all, workers work in shifts so as to give adequate attention to the chicks. This center is optimistic to expand its activities in the near future. These findings are important and should not be ignored when examining issues of poultry production in the region. Finally, the paper recommends that the centre should ensure to always receive good quality day old chicks and to carry out brooding of broilers when climatic conditions are conducive to their growth. The center should also respect the standard stocking capacity of chicks to avoid the negative consequences of overcrowding. JEL Classification: E23, F2, F21, F43 Keywords: Brooding broilers, Nazareth Agro- Pastoral Training and Production Centre-Cameroon.

Conflict, Development and Security at the Agro–Pastoral–Wildlife Nexus: A Case of Laikipia County, Kenya

This article analyses the connections between conflict and development at the agriculture–pastoralism–wildlife interface from the perspective of human security. The article draws on empirical data (qualitative and quantitative) generated in Laikipia County, Kenya, and literature to illustrate that (1) the major issues which cut across each of these conflicts are related to natural resource management, cultural practices and governance, and (2) these cross-cutting issues impinge on people’s freedoms, extending these conflicts into cases of human insecurity. Specifically, each conflict type compounds the impacts of the others on farmer and pastoral economic, food, environmental, personal, community, health and political security.

Assessing the Sustainability of Different Small-Scale Livestock Production Systems in the Afar Region, Ethiopia

Livestock production is a key income source in eastern Africa, and 80% of the total agricultural land is used for livestock herding. Hence, ecological and socio-economically sustainable rangeland management is crucial. Our study aimed at selecting operational economic, environmental and social sustainability indicators for three main pastoral (P), agro-pastoral (AP), and landless intensive (LI) small scale livestock production systems for use in sustainability assessment in Ethiopia. Quantitative and qualitative data were collected through grey literature and semi-structured interviews, assessing livestock and feed resources, production technology, land tenure, financial and gender issues. Our results suggested that feed shortages (FS) are directly related to grazing pressure (G) and inversely related to grass recovery rates (R). According to our indicators, AP was the most sustainable while P and LI were only conditionally sustainable production systems. 93% of 82 interviewees claimed that private land ownership was the best land tenure incentive for efficient rangeland management. Farmers perceived Prosopis juliflora expansion, sporadic rainfall, and disease infestation as the most significant causes for decreasing livestock productivity. Landless intensive farmers had the highest equality in income distribution (Gini Index: GI = 0.4), followed by P and AP (each with a GI = 0.5). Neither educational background nor income seemed to determine grazing species conservation efforts. We claimed that sustainability indicators are valuable tools to highlight shortcomings and strengths of the three main livestock production systems and help with future livestock management in Ethiopia. Selecting suitable indicators, however, is crucial as data requirements and availability can vary across livestock systems.