Ambo District Research Articles

Ethnobotanical study of traditional medicinal plants used to treat human ailments in West Shewa community, Oromia, Ethiopia.

Introduction: Plants have formed the basis of traditional medicine (TM) systems, which have been used for thousands of years. According to reports, one-quarter of the commonly used medicines contain compounds isolated from plants. This study aims to identify and document the plants for ethno-pharmacological use by the indigenous communities of West Shoa Zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia. Methods: The cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2020 to November 2021 in West Shewa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. The ethnobotanical data was collected from Ejere District, Ada Berga District, Dandi District, Ambo District, Ambo Town, Toke Kutaye District, and Bako Tibe District. A descriptive statistical method (percentage and/or frequency) was employed to summarize ethnobotanical data. Moreover, the informant consensus factor was computed. Microsoft Excel spreadsheet software (Microsoft Corporation, 2016) and SPSS (version 25) were used to organize and analyze the data. Result: In the study area, a total of 51 families of medicinal plants with 108 Species were identified. Fabaceae 8 species, Asteraceae, Solanaceae and Lamiaceae each with 6 species and Cucurubitacieae 5 species were the frequently reported medicinal plants. The leaf (57.2%) was the most widely used medicinal plant parts, and oral administration (56.5%) was the most cited route of administration. In the present study, most of the medicinal plants were used fresh, which was (75%) and the most common disease the healers treated was gastrointestinal disease, followed by skin disease and febrile illness. The major threat to medicinal plants in the study area was agricultural expansion, which was reported by 30.6% of the respondents. The study area was rich in medicinal plants, Fabaceae which commonly used family. Conclusion: Most of the medication prepared by the traditional healers was taken orally and derived from the leaf part of the medicinal plant. Since this research is a preliminary study which will be used as a base for further study. The efficacy and safety of the medicinal plant claim should be studied in the future.

Effect of behavior change communication through the health development army on birth weight of newborns in Ambo district, Ethiopia: a cluster randomized controlled community trial

BackgroundPoor behavior change communication on maternal nutrition and health throughout pregnancy is thought to be to blame for Ethiopia’s high rate of low birthweight babies, and this has implications for neonatal morbidity and mortality. The effect of behavior change communication on birth weight in the study district was not examined. This study was to determine whether improving neonatal birthweight using nutrition and health behavior change communication (NHBCC) interventions was successful.MethodsA cluster randomized controlled trial was conducted in the Ambo district of Ethiopia from May 5, 2018–January 30, 2019. At the beginning of the study, 385 women in the 24 intervention groups and 385 women in the 24 control groups were recruited. In the intervention group, health development armies delivered the NHBCC core message every two weeks for four months by grouping pregnant women in specific clusters. Pregnant women in the control group received the routine treatment offered by the healthcare system during their ANC visits. Within 24 h of birth, the birthweights of 302 and 292 neonates in the intervention and control groups, respectively, were measured at the end point of the study. A binary generalized linear model analysis was employed.ResultThe control group had a larger absolute risk of neonates with low birthweight (0.188 vs. 0.079, p < 0.001) than the intervention group. Pregnant women in the intervention group had an absolute risk difference of 10.9% for low birthweight. Pregnant women who received the intervention were 62% less likely to have low-risk birthweight compared to pregnant women who were in the control group (ARR = 0.381, 95% CI: 0.271–0.737).ConclusionNutrition and health behavior change Communication by health development armies improves birthweight. The findings demonstrated that to improve birthweight, NHBCC must be administered to pregnant women in groups via health development armies in their communities.Trial registration numberPACTR201805003366358.

Determinant of Farmers’ Choice of Adaptation Strategies to Climate Change in Rural Areas of Ambo District, Ethiopia

An understanding of the factors that shape farmers’ choice of adaptation strategies is critical to developing adaptation policies. This paper investigates the determinants of the choice of adaptation strategies to climate change using data from farmers in rural areas of Ambo district, Ethiopia. We employed a multinomial logit model to identify the determinants of farmers’ choice of adaptation strategies to climate change. The results indicate that agro-ecology, age, gender, education, household size, active labor force, livestock ownership, credit access, extension service access, farm income, and farmer-to-farmer extension positively influence farmers’ choice of adaptation strategies. On the contrary, distance to the farm and farm size are negatively related to farmers’ choices of adaptation strategies. The following implications are worthy of consideration for improving farmers’ adoption of adaptation options to offset the impact of climate change: investment in the educational system, strengthening the extension service, access to credit facilities, and the provision of recommended agricultural inputs.

Correction to “The effect of nutrition and health behavior change communication through community‐level actors on the nutritional status of pregnant women in the Ambo district, Ethiopia: A randomized controlled trial”

Correction to “The effect of nutrition and health behavior change communication through community‐level actors on the nutritional status of pregnant women in the Ambo district, Ethiopia: A randomized controlled trial”

Prevalence and Predictors of Knowledge and Attitude on Optimal Nutrition and Health Among Pregnant Women in Their First Trimester of Pregnancy.

Evidence has demonstrated that knowledge and attitudes are indicators of nutrition and health modification among pregnant women. As a result, the objective of this study was to assess the prevalence and predictors of knowledge and attitudes about optimal nutrition and health among pregnant women in their first trimester of pregnancy. A community-based cross-sectional study design was conducted between April 1 and June 1, 2018 among 750 pregnant women and sampled using the multi-stage sampling technique in the Ambo district of the West Shoa Zone, Ethiopia. Using a pre-tested, semi-structured questionnaire, data were gathered and analyzed using SPSS version 23. First, descriptive statistics were used, then bivariate and, finally, multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association of the predictors with the outcome variables. Overall, 33.3% and 31.3% of pregnant women had good knowledge and favorable attitudes about optimal nutrition and health, respectively. Residence, the woman's and her husband's educational status, having > five household members, being in rich households, taking distance to reach a health institution, being multiparous, having information, and receiving counseling were significantly associated with pregnant women's knowledge on optimal nutrition and health. Also, a favorable association was found between a woman's attitude toward optimal nutrition and health and her and her husband's educational status, household wealth status, and the distance traveled to a health facility. The nutrition and health knowledge and attitudes of pregnant women in the study area were suboptimal. Improving knowledge and attitude during the first trimester of pregnancy is essential for suggesting nutrition and health-related behavior in the succeeding periods of pregnancy, which predominantly determine the pregnancy's outcomes.

The effect of nutrition and health behavior change communication through community-level actors on the nutritional status of pregnant women in the Ambo district, Ethiopia: A randomized controlled trial.

Pregnant women in Ethiopia often had trouble understanding the normal nutrition and health information given by health professionals and found it inconsistent. Undernutrition is still a significant public health problem as a result. Hence, this trial aimed to assess the effect of nutrition and health behavior change communication using the community-level actors on the nutritional status of pregnant women. Cluster-randomized controlled community trial with baseline and endline measurements were used. Endpoint data from 744 pregnant women (372 intervention and 372 control groups) were gathered, respectively. In the intervention group, the community-level actors delivered the behavior change communication main message based on intervention protocol. The control group got nutrition information during their ANC visits but did not receive the behavior change communication intervention. Binary generalized estimating equations regression analyses adjusted for baseline covariates were used to test effects of the intervention on nutritional status. Following the trial's implementation, the prevalence of undernutrition in the intervention arm fell by 10% from the baseline (23.7% vs. 13.7%) and was 13.7% lower than in the control arm (13.7% vs. 27.4%, p = <.001). Pregnant women in the intervention group showed significantly lower risk of undernutrition than the control group (ARR = 0.21; 95% CI 0.14-0.30). This study showed that engaging community actors to communicate about nutrition and health behavior change was successful in enhancing pregnant women's nutritional status. Therefore, nutrition and health behavior change communication through the community-level actors is recommended to improve the nutritional status of pregnant women.

Seedborne mycoflora of faba bean (Vicia fabae L.) and evaluation of plant extract and Trichoderma species against mycelium growth of selected fungi

Fungal diseases are among the biotic factors limiting the production of faba bean in Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to isolate and identify seedborne mycoflora associated with faba bean seed samples, determine their effects on seed germination and disease transmission, and evaluate the antimicrobial activities of seven plant extracts and four Trichoderma spp. against the pathogen isolated from the seed. Fifty seed samples were collected from different farmers’ saved seeds of five major faba bean-producing varieties of the Ambo district and were tested by agar plate methods as recommended by the International Seed Testing Association (ISTA). A total of 7 fungal species belonging to 6 genera, viz. Fusarium oxysporum (Schlechlendahl), Fusarium solani (Mart.) Sacc, Aspergillus spp. Penicillium spp. Botrytis spp. Rhizoctonia solani (Kühn) and Alternaria spp. were isolated and identified. Among these, Fusarium spp., Aspergillus spp, and Penicillium spp. were the most predominant fungi in all seed samples. Seed-to-seedling transmission test results confirmed that F. oxysporum, F. solani and R. solani were major causal pathogens that caused root rot and damping-off disease in faba beans and were transmitted from seeds to seedlings. A higher germination rate was observed in Golja-GF2 (97%), and a lower germination rate was observed in Kure Gatira-KF8 (81%). A study on in vitro evaluation of plant extract and Trichoderma spp. against F. oxysporum, F. solani and R. solani revealed that plant extracts at 5%, 10% and 20% concentrations significantly inhibited the mycelial growth of all tested fungi. Inhibitory effects on the three tested fungi (R. solani, F. solani and F. oxysporum) were recorded on T. longibrachiatum (87.91%), T. atroviride (86.87%), Trichoderma virens (86.16%) and T. harzianum (85.45%). The inhibitory effect of the aqueous plant extracts on mycelial growth increased with an increase in concentration, and the hot water extracts showed higher effects compared to the cold water extract in all tested fungi. This study showed that the highest inhibitory effect of Allium sativum L. extracted at a 20% concentration against mycelial growth inhibition of the three test fungi (F. oxysporum, R. solani and F. solani) was 84.60%, 83.61% and 83.47%, respectively. However, Nicandra physalodes (L.) Gaertn.) extracts at the same concentration showed the lowest inhibitory effects on the three tested fungi (74.94%, 73.94% and 73.24%).

The Effect of Behavior Change Communication via the Health Development Army on Pregnant Women’s Nutrition and Health Practices in Ambo District, Ethiopia: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Community Trial

Background: A woman’s nutrition and health at conception and during her pregnancy is crucial factors in defining both her own and her unborn child’s health and well-being at this crucial time in her life. Therefore, the objective of the study was to investigate the effect of Behavior Change and Communication (BCC) through the women development Army on optimal nutrition and health practices of pregnant women. Methods: From April 1, 2018 to October 30, 2019, a cluster-randomized controlled trial was conducted in the Ambo district of Ethiopia. Three hundred eighty-five women in the 24 intervention clusters and 385 women in the 24 control clusters were recruited at the start of the study. In the intervention group, health development armies delivered the BCC’s main messages for three months, from July 2018 to September 2018, and end point data were collected from pregnant women (n = 744, 372 in the intervention group, and 372 in the control group) in October 2018. The control group received the standard care provided by the healthcare system during an ANC visit. The researchers used a binary generalized linear model analysis. A p value of &lt;0.05 is used to indicate statistical significance. Statistical analyses were conducted on a per protocol basis. Result: The overall optimal nutrition and health practice were higher in the intervention group than in the control group (62.6% vs. 38.7%, P&lt;0.001). The control group had a larger absolute risk of suboptimal nutrition and health practice (0.613 vs. 0.374, p&lt;0.001) than the intervention group. Pregnant women in the intervention group had an absolute risk difference of 23.9% for suboptimal nutrition and health. Pregnant women who received intervention were 30.9% less likely to have suboptimal nutrition and health practice compared to pregnant women who were in the control group (ARR=0.691, 95% CI: 0.594-0.804). Conclusions: Behavior change communication (BCC) through the women’s development army is effective in improving optimal nutrition and health practices of pregnant women. Therefore, to improve the optimal nutrition and health practices of pregnant women, BCC through the health development army is recommended.

Dietary Diversity, Nutritional Status, and Associated Factors Among Pregnant Women in Their First Trimester of Pregnancy in Ambo District, Western Ethiopia

Background: Poor dietary diversity and undernutrition is a major public health concern for pregnant mothers. Optimal dietary diversity is essential during pregnancy since nutritional deficiencies may have a significant impact on both the mother’s and the fetus’s health. Pregnant women in Ambo district had inadequate dietary diversity and were undernourished, but their status during the first trimester of pregnancy was not known. As a result, the objective of this research was to assess the dietary diversity, nutritional status, and associated factors among pregnant women in the Ambo district. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study design and a multi-stage sampling technique were used among 750 pregnant women. Data was gathered using a semi-structured questionnaire. The Food and Nutrition Technical Assistance questionnaire was modified to collect data on dietary diversity. The nutritional status of pregnant women was assessed by measuring the mid-upper arm circumference. First, descriptive statistics like mean, Standard deviation, frequency and percentage were used, then bivariable and, finally, multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to assess the association of the predictors with the outcome variable. Result: The study revealed that 73.6% and 23.9% of pregnant women had low dietary diversity and were undernourished, respectively. Being in food secured household (AOR = 4.44, 95% CI: 2.14-9.15), having good knowledge (AOR = 3.32, 95% CI: 2.10-5.23) and favorable attitude toward nutrition and health (AOR = 1.71, 95% CI: 1.10-2.66) were significantly associated with dietary diversity, whereas household size (having 1-3 household members AOR = 6.59, 95% CI: 2.53-17.21, having 4-5 household members AOR = 5.62, 95% CI: 3.15-9.99), being in food secured household (AOR = 5.64, 95% CI: 2.79-11.38), having high dietary diversity (AOR = 8.49, 95% CI: 2.47-29.23), and having optimal practice on nutrition and health (AOR = 6.85, 95% CI: 3.23-14.55) were significantly associated with undernutrition ( P &lt; .05). Conclusions: The current study revealed that pregnant women in the study area had inadequate dietary diversity practices and a high prevalence of undernutrition. Knowledge and attitude, and households’ food security status were the predictors of dietary diversity, while household size, household food security status, dietary diversity and nutrition and health practice were predictors of undernutrition. Hence, behavior change communication needs to be designed to improve the dietary diversity and nutritional status of pregnant women.

The Effect of Behavior Change Communication via the Health Development Army on Pregnant Women's Nutrition and Health Practices in Ambo District, Ethiopia: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Community Trial

Background A woman's nutritional and physical health at conception and during her pregnancy is crucial factors in defining both her own and her unborn child's health and well-being at this crucial time in her life. Therefore, the objective of the study was to investigate the effect of Behavior Change and Communication (BCC) through the women development Army on optimal nutrition and health practices of pregnant women. Methods In the Ambo district, 770 pregnant women participated in a two-arm parallel cluster randomized controlled community trial with baseline and end-line measures (385 in control and 385 in intervention groups). Endpoint data from 372 intervention and 372 control groups were gathered, respectively. In the intervention group, health development armies delivered the BCC's main message. The intervention began in July 2018, and end point data were collected from pregnant women (n = 744) in October, 2018. The control group received the typical care provided by the healthcare system during an ANC visit. Descriptive statistics, chi-square test, bivariable and lastly multivariable binary logistic regressions analysis was used to control confounders. Statistical analyses were conducted on intention-to-treat (ITT) basis and p value &lt;0.05 was used to declare statistical significance. Result The overall optimal nutrition and health practice were higher in the intervention group than in the control group (62.6% vs. 39.0%, P&lt;0.001). Pregnant women who received intervention had two times higher odds of optimal nutrition and health practices compared to pregnant women who were in the control group (AOR = 2.051, 95%CI: 1.318-3.192). In a multivariable binary logistic regression analysis (p&lt;0.05), being in the intervention group, educational status, estimated time to reach the health institution, and knowledge about nutrition and health were found to be significantly associated with optimal nutrition and health practices. Conclusions Behavior change communication (BCC) through the women's development army is effective in improving optimal nutrition and health practices of pregnant women. Therefore, to improve the optimal nutrition and health practices of pregnant women, BCC through the health development army is recommended.

"Prevalence of Bovine Ticks in and Around Ambo District, West Shoa Zone, Oromia Regional State"

Ticks are harmful blood sucking external parasites of livestock that are distributed in all agro-ecological zones in Ethiopia. A cross sectional study was conducted to identify major tick genera, prevalence and assess tick infestation load on cattle in Ambo district West shoa zone Oromia regional state.

Challenges and Opportunities in the Adoption of Climate Smart Agriculture Practices by Smallholder Farmers in Ethiopia

Background: Climate Smart Agriculture (CSA) is an approach to increase farmers’ income and agricultural production by adapting to the changing climatic conditions. Ethiopian agriculture is predominantly rain-fed and vulnerable to variability in rainfall and temperature. Adoption of CSA practices and technologies among smallholder farmers remains low. Methods: This study was carried out in Ambo district, Oromia region, Ethiopia to assess the challenges faced by smallholder farmers in the adoption of CSA. A semi-structured interview schedule was used to collect data from 156 respondents from 3 rural villages. Result: Crop residue management and mulching faced stiff competition with livestock feeding since crop residues are allowed for grazing by livestock. Hence, it is suggested to promote the cultivation of fodder grasses. Minimum tillage was practiced by only a few farmers in the study area. The farmers’ belief on minimum tillage should be changed through proper education, training and result demonstration on the advantages of minimum tillage. The awareness of integrated nutrient and soil management should be enhanced by creating awareness of the benefits of soil testing.

Infestation of Ixodidae Ticks in Cattle: Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors in Ambo District, Western Ethiopia

In Ethiopia, ticks cause serious economic loss particularly in ruminants. A cross sectional study was conducted in Ambo district, Western Ethiopia from October, 2018 to June, 2019 with the objectives of determining the prevalence, identifying the associated risk factors and the tick species of cattle in the area. From five purposively selected kebeles (the smallest administrative unit of Ethiopia) of the district, a total of 384 cattle were selected by systematic random sampling method. Adult Ixodid ticks were collected from different body parts of infested cattle, preserved in 10% formalin and transported to Ambo University Veterinary Parasitology Laboratory for stereomicroscopic identification to species level. Among 384 cattle examined, 201 (52.34%) cattle were infested with one or two tick species. A higher prevalence of tick infestation was recorded in Degele Gatira kebele (53.25%), followed by Abebe Doyo (50.65%), Gosu Kora (50.65%), Kisose Liban (50.65%), and Senkele Faris (56.59%). The study investigated three genera of Ixodid ticks namely Rhipicephalus (41.7%), Boophilus (0.8%) and Amblyomma (2.60%). Mixed infestations were common including Rh. Boophilus and Amblyomma 24(6.25%) and Rh. Boophilus and Rhipicephalus 4(1.04%). The study identified four species of ticks; namely Rh. (Bo.) decoloratus 109 (28.40%), Rhipicephalus (Boophilus) annulatus 43(11.20%), Amblyomma vareigatum 3(0.80%) and Rhipicephalus evertsi evertsi 11(2.90%). The difference in tick infestation was found to be statistically insignificant (P &gt;0.05) between different age groups and kebeles but statistically significant (P &lt;0.05) among sex groups, breeds, and different body condition scores (P &lt;0.05). In conclusion, this study indicated a high prevalence of tick infestation and identified the most important ticks that can transmit various livestock diseases. A proper tick eradication campaign should be conducted to reduce the tick burden in the study area, and concomitantly reduce tick-borne diseases and associated economic losses.

Effect of Behavior Change Communication through the Health Development Army on Dietary Practice of Pregnant Women in Ambo District, Ethiopia: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Community Trial

Effect of Behavior Change Communication through the Health Development Army on Dietary Practice of Pregnant Women in Ambo District, Ethiopia: A Cluster Randomized Controlled Community Trial

Impact of Stakeholders Training on a Sustainable Community Development, Focusing on Wheat Value Chain: The Case of Ambo District, Ethiopia

Impact of Stakeholders Training on a Sustainable Community Development, Focusing on Wheat Value Chain: The Case of Ambo District, Ethiopia

A Quest for a Wider Mandates to Customary Justice Institutions in Ethiopia: A Particular Emphasis on ‘Yaa’aa Yaaboo’ (a Qaallu Court)

This study assesses the functioning of yaa’aa yaaboo customary court (the Qaallu court), which is found in the Oromia National Regional State of Ethiopia, in west the Shewa zone in the Ambo district. This court accepts and handles any criminal and civil cases unless cases are pending in the formal courts. The effectiveness of this court in course of handling both civil and criminal cases is rarely treated in different kinds of literatures. Thus, the aim of this article is to fill this gap. To realize this objective, the study employed a qualitative research approach. By showing the overall functioning of this court, this article recommended a legal reform that may include a constitutional amendment to give wider mandates than envisaged under the current constitution to customary justice institutions.

A Quest for a Wider Mandates to Customary Justice Institutions in Ethiopia: A Particular Emphasis on ‘Yaa’aa Yaaboo’ (a Qaallu Court)

This study assesses the functioning of yaa’aa yaaboo customary court (the Qaallu court), which is found in the Oromia National Regional State of Ethiopia, in west the Shewa zone in the Ambo district. This court accepts and handles any criminal and civil cases unless cases are pending in the formal courts. The effectiveness of this court in course of handling both civil and criminal cases is rarely treated in different kinds of literatures. Thus, the aim of this article is to fill this gap. To realize this objective, the study employed a qualitative research approach. By showing the overall functioning of this court, this article recommended a legal reform that may include a constitutional amendment to give wider mandates than envisaged under the current constitution to customary justice institutions.

Determinants of Participation in Non-farm Activities among Rural Farm Households in Ambo District of West Shoa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

This study examined the determinants of non-farm economic activities participation decisions among rural farm households in Ambo district of West Shoa zone of Oromia region, Ethiopia. The research design adopted in this study was cross-sectional field survey from which a total of 300 rural farm households drawn. Descriptive statistics and logistic regression model were applied to investigate the effect of various factors on the decision to participate in non-farm economic activities. The logistic results show that gender, marital status of household head, dependency ratio, skill, access to credit and distance to the nearest market were found to be the key factors that significantly influenced rural farming household’s decisions to participate in non-farm activities. Women and married headed rural farm households were more likely to participate in non-farm activities. Transferable skill and access to credit also have positive influence on rural farm household decision to participate in non-farm activities. High dependency ratio and a long distance from the house to nearest market have strong negative effect on the decision to participate in remunerative non-farm activities. According to the descriptive result, the major non-farm economic activities that help rural households in the study area comprise selling of foods and drinks, retail shop, selling of wood and charcoal, trade in grain general, weaving, boutique, and craft work. The study has also identified factors that lead households to participate in non-farm activities. They include low income from farming activities, land inadequacy, soil fertility or productivity, growing family size, and increased opportunities. Thus, while this study is not advocating for non-farm economic activities as a substitute to farming, non-farm work could be a reliable complement to farming activities. Policies that aim to increase the non-farm work participation decisions of family members should take into consideration the difference in responses to the various factors that affect the non-farm activities decisions of rural farm households. Keywords : Determinants, Participation, Non-farm activities, Rural Households, Logit Model DOI: 10.7176/JEP/12-4-04 Publication date: February 28 th 2021

Influence of social capital in adopting climate change adaptation strategies: empirical evidence from rural areas of Ambo district in Ethiopia

ABSTRACT The impact of climate change is increasingly affecting the daily lives of poor farmer households. An understanding of the social dimension profoundly shapes the way in which policy-makers develop adaptation policies. This paper investigates the influence of components of social capital on the adoption of climate change adaptation strategies using data from rural households in Ethiopia. First, principal component analysis (PCA) was performed on the dataset of components of social capital to construct composite indicators for measuring farmers’ social capital. Second, the logit model was employed to investigate the influence of components of social capital on adopting climate change adaptation strategies. The results suggest that institutional trust positively influences climate change adaptation decisions. On the contrary, bonding social capital negatively affects the adoption decision. The following implications are worthy of consideration for improving farmers’ adoption of adaptation strategies: improving the institutions’ communication and sharing of information with farmers and investing in programmes that build links across groups in communities and up to those in authority.

Determinants of Households’ Decision to Save at Household Level: Evidence from Small holder Farmers’ of Ambo District, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia

Saving is an important economic growth to be studied under the purview of the economic arena on an individual as well as household basis. In a country like Ethiopia, the income standard is almost uncertain and leads to more consumption rather than saving which has now been a central problem. The objective of this study was to identify the determinants of farmers’ decision to save at household level. Both primary and secondary data source were used for this study during 2018/19. Accordingly, the study was based on the survey of a total of 130 farmers covering three kebeles of Ambo district. Besides, binary logit model was used to analyse the factors affecting households’ decision to save. The results of this study indicated that education level of the household head, income of the household and land holding size had positively and significantly affected households’ decision to save. But distance from microfinance Institution had negatively and significantly affected households’ decision to save in the study area. This study recommends that in order to make micro-economic successful these factors and problems need to be taken into consideration by policy makers to encourage farmers to participate in saving.