Borana Zone Research Articles

Rainfall variability and trends in the Borana zone of southern Ethiopia

Abstract This paper has examined the variability and trends of rainfall in the Borana zone, southern Ethiopia. Monthly rainfall data from 1981 to 2018 were obtained from the National Meteorological Agency (NMA) of Ethiopia. Mean, standard deviation and coefficient of variation were employed to analyze temporal variability. Mann–Kendall (MK) test and Sen's slope estimator (SEE) were used to determine trend and its magnitude, respectively. The inverse weighting distance (IDW) interpolation technique was employed to generate surface data and produce spatial rainfall maps. April and Belg were the wettest month and season, respectively. On an annual basis, Arero (741 mm) followed by Teltele (629 mm) were the wettest stations, whereas the Dillo station (285 mm) was the driest. Rainfall is highly variable on a monthly and seasonal basis than annual timescale. Meher rainfall has shown a significant rainfall increase (P-value <0.05) at most stations. A significant increase in annual rainfall was observed at Arero, Dehas, Dillo and Miyo. Spatially, rainfall decreases from the northeast and northwest parts of the Borana towards the southwest. The findings of this study can serve as a reference basis and provides useful information for policymakers to devise and implement better water management strategies in this water-scarce region.

Consumers’ Perceptions on the Quality Attributes of Buna Qalaa and Its Trend of Consumption in Borana Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

Coffee is consumed worldwide as stimulant, and Ethiopia is the birth place of this important commodity. Coffee is consumed in different formats around the world. For instance, Buna Qalaa - form of coffee meal is consumed in Ethiopia. The aim of this study was to investigate consumers’ perception on the trend of Buna Qalaa consumption and quality in Borana Zone, Oromia. The quality parameter for Buna Qalaa , its consumption frequency, forms of coffee preferred by consumers and willingness to buy it if available for sale was assessed. Data were collected through face to face interview and the data were triangulated with group discussion. The data were analysed using SPSS and descriptive statistics were used to assess the respondents’ responses. The trend of Buna Qalaa consumption (66.7 %) and quality (63.0 %) had decreased in Borana Zone according to the respondents. The decrease in the trend of Buna Qalaa consumption was due to preference to drink coffee and scarcity of input (s) for its preparation. Use of vegetable oil instead of butter was the main reason for the decrease in the trend of Buna Qalaa quality. About 44.4 % of the respondents consume Buna Qalaa on daily basis. According to the respondents the quality parameters for Buna Qalaa is crispy texture (67.4 %), black color (70.5 %) and good aroma. Majority of the respondents (85.1 %) preferred to consume Buna Qalaa to drink coffee and were not willing to buy (41.8 %) it if available for sale. About 68.4 % of respondents agreed that frequent consumption of Buna Qalaa may lead to health complications. There is a difference between current and past Buna Qalaa preparation technique according to the respondents. Majority of the respondents agreed that Buna Qalaa prepared with only butter could be kept for a month. Buna Qalaa is consumed by the community in Borana and it can be availed for sale as a ready to consume food and create new job for the youth (production and distribution). A good quality Buna Qalaa could be prepared based on consumers’ set parameter from a good quality inputs. Further study on nutrient composition, health effect and shelf life of Buna Qalaa need to be conducted. Keywords: Buna Qalaa , Traditional food, Borana, Oromo, Perception, Quality, Trend DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/117-01 Publication date: July 31 st 2022

Characteristics and Determinants of Dromedary Camel (Camelus dromedarius) Production in Borana Plateau, Ethiopia

Drought mitigation strategies using dromedary camel production and lifestyle diversification are gaining popularity in the Borana plateau, Ethiopia. Borana villages have recently emphasized camel care as a strategy for responding to the severity of periodic droughts. Although Borana pastoralists are becoming more interested in camel management, the underlying causes of the region's expanding camel population have yet to be addressed. Despite available information on the characteristic of camel herders and determinants of production, the appropriate policy for the commercialization of camel potential has been hampered. The purpose of this study was to investigate the demographic characteristics and determinants of camel production. The variables of interest were; sources of income, culture, sources of starting camels, years of rearing experience, reasons for keeping camels, herd structure, and compositions, and availability of feed and water sources. A cross-sectional study design was conducted in the Yabelo, Elwaye, and Gomole districts of the Borana zone. The household survey; a structured survey questionnaire, a participatory focused group discussion (FGD), and key informant interviews (KII) were used. A total of 364 household interviews, 3 FGDs, and 12 KIIs were conducted to understand the depths of the socio-economic characteristics and determinant factors of camel production. Data were analyzed by descriptive statistics in all the parameters tools using SPSS version 21. The Chi-square tests were conducted to evaluate the dependence between tribes’ affiliations and categorical variables. Demographic characteristics, sources of income, origins of camels, years of rearing experience, reasons for maintaining camels, herd structure, and compositions were not significantly different (P<0.05), according to the findings. The study revealed that the camel production determinants between the ethnic affiliations were also significant differences (p<0.05) between the ethnic groups and study areas. The findings were contradicting the expectation that different socioeconomic characteristics of camel herders and determinant factors among tribes. Therefore, this finding could be forwarded, a need for a comprehensive camel production policy as well as regulatory interventions for camel pastoralism in the study areas. and addressing other promotions on camels as “animal of the future” Keywords: Camel herders, Camel production, pastoralists, Borana, Ethiopia DOI: 10.7176/RHSS/12-13-03 Publication date: July 31 st 2022

Effects of Euphorbia nubica Encroachment on Herbaceous Species Composition in Borana Zone, Southern Ethiopia

The study was conducted in three districts of Borana Zone towards the end of the growing season, with the objective of examining the effects of encroaching Euphorbia nubica species on their encroached and non-encroached areas of herbaceous species composition in Borana rangelands and analysis the perception of pastoralist on encroaching of Euphorbia nubica species. A survey was conducted from two PA of each district by interviewed 34 pastoralists from each PA and a total 204 households were interviewed purposively to analysis pastoralist perceptions. Also, 20 m x 20 m main plots were laid out in encroached and non-encroached areas of Euphorbia nubica species. Then four sub-quadrants with 1 m x 1 m size were randomly placed in this main plot to determine herbaceous composition. The collected data was analyzed using General Linear Model (GLM) procures for significance test at an alpha level of 0.05, and the least significant differences test was used for mean separation for comparison of impacts of encroaching species. As Pastoralists’ perception, Euphorbia nubica species are less important and increased in the rangelands by reducing rangeland production and productivity. In this study, the proportion of basal and litter cover was significantly different (P < 0.05) between non-encroached and encroached areas of Euphorbia nubica species. Also, grass and forbs of dry matter and diversity were significant (P < 0.05) among encroached and non-encroached areas of Euphorbia nubica species. Both pastoral perception and analyzed results indicate that the encroachment of Euphorbia nubica species has an impact on rangeland productivity by reducing productive grass species and increasing less desirable forbs species. Keywords: Encroached, Non-encroached, Grass, non-grass and dry matter yield DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/13-12-01 Publication date: June 30 th 2022

Peri and Post Slaughter Defect Assessment of Sheep and Goat Skin in Selected Districts of Borana Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study was employed to assess peri and post slaughter defect of sheep and goat skin in selected districts of Borana Zone. Two districts (Dire and Yabelo) were purposively selected based on livestock population and accessibility of sheep and goat skins supply. A total of 1440 skins (960 goat and 480 sheep skins) were randomly selected to assess the observable defects using close observation. Both sheep and goat skins were graded according to the standard set by Ethiopian Quality and Standard Authority. All the examined skin had one or more types of defects. The major defects observed on fresh goat’s skin were poor pattern (38.83%), dirt (36.66%) and flay cut (33.83%). In wet salted goat skin the dominant defects were poor pattern (32.22%), dirt (28.88%) and flay cut (26.66%). Whereas, in fresh sheep skins a higher prevalence of defects were poor pattern (36.66%), dirt (31.94%) and corduroying (30.83%). In wet salted sheep skin the higher prevalence defects were poor pattern (50.83%), dirt (44.16%) and corduroying (28.33%). The grading of the fresh goat skins according to their rank was Grade II (40.83%), Grade I (31.33%) and Grade III (21.33%) were 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd rank, respectively. The grading of the wet salted goat skins according to their rank was Grade II (40.27%), Grade I (30.27%) and Grade III (21.94%) were 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd rank, respectively. The grading of the fresh sheep skins according to their rank was Grade II (40.55%), Grade I (26.66%) and Grade III (20.55%) were 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd rank, respectively. The grading of the wet salted sheep skins according to their rank was Grade II (42.5%), Grade I (31.66%) and Grade III (13.33%) were 1 st , 2 nd and 3 rd rank, respectively. This indicates that most defects on skins occurred during and after slaughtering operations. Therefore, more attention should be taken during and after slaughtering of animals to get quality skins for national as well as international market, and maximize the country’s foreign currency exchange. Keywords: Defect, Fresh, Salted, skin, peri and post slaughtering DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/12-11-04 Publication date: June 30 th 2022

English

A community based breeding program was performed in the years 2012 to 2017 in Dubluk district of Borana Zone, with the objective to improve some productive traits and conserve Boran cattle breed through disseminating improved Boran sires to pastoral community of the district. Relevant performance data were collected to check the performance of the program to achieve the required goal. The data collected were number of females exposed that were tested for pregnancy, number of females exposed diagnosed as pregnant, number of females diagnosed as pregnant which failed to calve, total number of calves born, number of live calves born, number of calves dead, pregnancy rate (PR), abortion rate (AR), calving rate (CR), and calve death loss based on calves born (CDLBCB). Descriptive statistic procedure of SAS was used to summarize the collected data. Accordingly, PR, AR, CR, and CDLBCB were 89.18, 5.29, 94.71, and 3.28%, respectively. The results obtained indicated that community based breeding program can be a best method to improve and conserve Boran cattle breed through disseminating improved sires. As a result, extending the mentioned method to a larger area by establishing a community ranch will help to keep the Boran breed safe and maintain it for the community's benefit. Key words: Boran Cattle, Breeding Scheme, Community, Conservation, in situ, Ethiopia.

Impacts of Climatic Factors on Vegetation Species Diversity, Herbaceous Biomass in Borana, Southern Ethiopia

The study was conducted in three districts of Borana Zone, with the objective to determining the impacts of climatic factors on vegetation species diversity, herbaceous biomass yield of Borana rangelands under commonial grazing rangeland types during end of growing season. The most types rangeland of communial properties are traditional enclosure and continuous grazing rangeland from in where our different data were collected. Within both rangeland types of each districts 20 m x 20 m plots that placed at 200 m distances intervals with three replication was used to collect woody vegetation. The data of herbaceous plant community was collected from seventeen quadrants (1 m x1 m) that layout in the main plot. The collected data was analyzed by linear regression to determine the impact of climate factors. The herbaceous species richness, diversity and biomass study sites had highly significantly difference (P < 0.001) and positive linear with mean annual precipitation. There is significantly difference (P < 0.05) and negative linear in woody species richness and diversity. Both herbaceous and woody plant species richness and diversity of study areas had a negative linear with mean annual temperature. Climate factors specieally rianfall have a great impact on rangeland ecosystems of study areas. Therefore, rangeland user should be considering climatic factors to improve productivity of rangeland. Keywords: Rangeland types, Species diversity and richness, herbaceous biomass and rainfall DOI: 10.7176/JEES/12-5-01 Publication date: May 31 st 2022

Undernutrition And Associated Factors Among Reproductive Age Groups of Women on Antiretroviral Therapy In Public Health Facilities of South Borena Pastoralist Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia, 2021

Background: Undernutrition refers to deficiencies or imbalances in a person’s intake of energy and/or nutrients. HIV/AIDS leads to undernutrition, and undernutrition leads to immune impairment, worsening the effect of HIV, and contributing to more rapid progression to AIDS. The increased energy needs as well the negative effects of common HIV-related infections increase the nutrition risk of HIV-infected women of reproductive age group at large population segments. The study aims at assessing the prevalence of undernutrition and its associated factors among this group. Objectives: To study undernutrition and associated factors among reproductive age group women on antiretroviral therapy in Borana zone public health facilities, from October 15/2020 to November 30, 2020. Methods: Health institution-based Cross-sectional study was conducted on 237 Women of Reproductive age group on Antiretroviral Therapy/Prevention of Mother to Child Transmission in Borana zone public health facilities. Study participants were selected using a systematic random sampling technique. Data was collected through reviewing medical records and interviewing selected patients. The collected data were entered into the computer using Epi-Info version 7 and exported to SPSS version 20 for data processing and analysis. The prevalence of undernutrition was estimated using 95% CI for a single proportion. Multinomial logistic regression is used to identify factors associated with viral suppression. The magnitude of association is estimated using an odds ratio of 95%CI. The significance of association is declared for P-Value ≤ 0.05. Result: The majority of the respondents’ age groups were between 25-29 (28.3%) and followed by 30-34 (23.6%) and 35- 39 (21.1%), 109 (46%) were housewives and 47 (20.7%) were merchant by, 114 (48.1%) were illiterate and 43 (18.1%) of them were read and write, 171 (72.12%) were married and 28(11.8%) were Divorced by marital. The prevalence of undernutrition was 35.9%. Conclusion: Undernutrition is the most prevalent in this area and educational status, WHO stage, and occupation was among the common factors.

Climate trend analysis for a semi-arid Borana zone in southern Ethiopia during 1981\u20132018

BackgroundUnderstanding the climate variability at local scale could help suggest local adaptation responses to manage climate associated risks. This paper analyzed the variability and trend of climate in semi-arid Borana zone of southern Ethiopia over the period 1981–2018 using Mann–Kendall (MK) test, Sen’s Slope Estimator (SEE) and inverse distance weighted (IDW) interpolation technique. Gridded (4 km * 4 km) climate data (daily precipitation, daily maximum temperature (Tmax) and minimum temperature (Tmin)) were collected from National Meteorology Agency (NMA) of Ethiopia.ResultsThe results revealed the study area received a mean monthly precipitation of 39.19 mm and a monthly mean Tmax and Tmin of 29.66 °C and 16.31 °C were observed respectively. Rainfall shows a significant increasing trend during August, October and November and extremely variable during December, January and February where CV > 100%. Tmax shows a significant warming trend during August but January, February, August and October exhibited similar trend for Tmin. Rainfall and Tmin shows a significant trend during Meher and no trend for the rest of the seasons. Mean annual rainfall shows a significant increase where no trend observed for both Tmax and Tmin at this timescale. Decadal rainfall and Tmin exhibited no trend but Tmax show significant warming trend during 2001–2010 decade. Better rainfall and cooler temperature were observed in the north central, northeastern and northwestern whereas the southeastern and southwestern regions were drier and warmer.ConclusionRainfall is highly variable than temperature both at temporal and spatial scales in Borana. The intensity of rainfall decreases from the northeastern and northwestern parts towards the southwest while temperature increased from the north central parts towards the southwest for Tmax and the southeast for Tmin. The effect of topography is substantial for the local scale variability observed in the study area. Internal variability is observed at temporal and spatial scales and therefore any adaptation responses to local climate variability should consider the microscale climate.

The dietary Intake Pattern and Associated factors Among Sarcopenic elderly patients in Negele Borana Town, East Borana Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia.

Background: Sarcopenia is a disease or condition characterized by the loss of skeletal muscle mass and function. The study was designed and conducted in the Negele Borana town in East Borana Zone, Ethiopia, due to a lack of data from similar studies in the region. Objective: The goal of the study was to determine the severity of sarcopenia as well as adherence to various dietary patterns. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out on 700 old individuals (300 men and 400 women) living in five districts of Ethiopia’s East Borana Zone. From August 2020 to July 2021, a simple random sample procedure was utilized to choose 4 of the 10 available public health facilities and catchment districts. The twenty-four-hour recall and food frequency questionnaire were used to gather dietary data. Anthropometrics (Mid-Upper-Arm Circumference), bioelectrical Impedance Analysis (BIA), and a skinfold caliper were used to determine body fat. Dietary patterns were also derived using principal component analysis, which was then compared to nutritional body fats. Principle components analysis was also used to find patterns in the food that was eaten. These patterns were then compared to nutritional outcomes using Pearson Partial Correlations, making sure that energy, age, BMI, and dietary supplements were all taken into account. Data normality was determined using Shapiro, Wilk, and the histogram. To assess the relationship between dependent and independent variables, bivariate and multivariable analyses were used. Results: Participants who ate the most Mediterranean Dietary Pattern foods, such as olive oil, fruits, vegetables, fish, and nuts, had a lower risk of Sarcopenia than those who ate the least (OR = 0.21; 95 percent CI = 0.32, 0.40; P-value = 0.01), whereas those who ate the most Western Dietary Pattern foods, such as sugary or sweet diets, soybeans, refined carbohydrates, and fast foods, had a higher risk of Sarcopenia. The intake of animal proteins, potato chips, and refined carbs was also associated with an elevated risk of sarcopenia (OR = 0.5; 95 percent CI = 0.21, 4.01; P-value = 0.32). Conclusion: Following the Mediterranean Dietary Pattern can assist to reduce the risk of sarcopenia-related problems including falling and fractures. Keywords: Sarcopenia, muscle mass, handgrip strength, physical performance, dietary intake pattern, gait speed.

Meteorological Data Analysis of Temperature and Rainfall in the case of Southern Ethiopia (Western Guji, Guji, and Borana zone from 1988-2018)

This research studied meteorological data analysis of temperature and rainfall of Southern Ethiopia specifically Borana, West Guji, and Guji zone starting from 1988-to 2018. The study’s main concern on analysis of nature, trends, and rate of temperature and rainfall change, and lastly focuses on the effect of climate change on crops and livestock. The researchers employed a descriptive research design and both quantitative and qualitative approaches. The researchers employed MicroSoft Excel (Window 13), SPSS-21 version software, application of the Mann–Kendall test, and Sen's methods. The finding of this research was the temperature of all stations/zones of the study area was increased. The average temperature of moyale, Yabello, Bule Hora and Nagele is 23.47°C, 21.40°C, 19.20°C, and 17.41°C respectively and the smallest variation is observed in Bule Hora. The rainfall of the study area in all stations with the exception of Bule Hora, declined and the amount of average rainfall of Negele is much higher than others and followed by Bule Hora and the smallest rainfall was registered in Moyale. The average rainfall of Negele was 114mm, Bule Hora 80.98mm, Yabelo49.50mm and Moyale 44.89mm. The other finding of this research was crop and livestock of the study area where negatively affected. The researchers recommended-communities unity including government, private, NGO have a responsibility to minimize the effect of this climate change in the study area specifically and all developed and developing countries must come together to reduce change in climate and its negative effect in general.

Impact of 2016–2017 Drought on Household Livestock Assets and Food Security: The Case of Pastoralists and Agro-Pastoralists in Borana Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Impact of 2016–2017 Drought on Household Livestock Assets and Food Security: The Case of Pastoralists and Agro-Pastoralists in Borana Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Sedentarization as an adaptation to socio-environmental changes? Everyday herding practices in pastoralist communities in southern Ethiopia

As humanity is faced with various changes in social-environmental systems, adaptation efforts have become increasingly important. Significant effort and resources have been spent on devising overarching, large-scale strategies in response to climate change and associated socioeconomic challenges. However, the mechanisms of adaptation employed by individuals and households in ordinary, daily life have received insufficient scholarly examination. This research aims to demonstrate the significance of everyday adaptation strategies of smallholder pastoralists who are on the front lines of changing socioeconomic regimes in East African drylands. We analyzed the daily spatiotemporal patterns of livestock behavior to understand everyday adaptation practices. Two different pastoralist communities in the Borana Zone in southern Ethiopia were compared, one of which keeps the traditional mobile pastoralism livelihood, while the other has sedentarized because of socio-environmental changes and policy incentives. The mobile pastoralists have larger grazing areas, and their cattle spend more time on foraging and resting. In contrast, the sedentarized pastoralists utilize the land near their settlements intensively and the cattle travel longer distances on average. Our findings suggest that sedentarization is a constrained adaptation strategy at best because it increases the recursive use of rangeland and its fragmentation and forces livestock to move more intensively on a daily and seasonal basis.

Soil Seed Bank Study and Propagation Methods of Selected Gums and Resin Producing Tree Species in Wachile District of Borana Zone

Gum and resin bearing tree species were one of the very important resources in Ethiopia. Particularly, Borana pastoralists were used these resources as a source of income generation for their livelihoods. However, the resource was declining over a time due to different natural and human made problems. Therefore, it is important to study for its future sustainability through soil seed bank, seed germinations, vegetative propagations and analyzing its natural regeneration status.<i> Commiphora myrrha, Boswelia neglecta, Boswellia microphylla</i> and<i> Acacia senegal</i> were gum and resin bearing tree species selected for this study. With this; soil seed bank samples were collected from under and outside the canopy of selected tree species. Five tree species of each tree were used to collect soil seed bank sample at two canopy cover and three different soil depth, and 120 soil seed bank samples were taken from all types of tree species and evaluated for its germination. Seeds of selected species were also collected and evaluated for their germination. Moreover, stems and branches of those species were cut, planted and evaluated for their sprout. As a result, the absence of seeds of those species both inside and outside the canopy of trees in all soil depth layers was confirmed. This may be due to seed losses through (fire, degradation and over grazing), improper settlement, over logging, debarking, human over use for food, improper tapping. The result of analysis of variance also showed that, seedling germination percentage, survival percentage, shoot height and root height were highly significant different at (p<0.001) among all the treatments. The observed mean value of germination percentage were 99%, 46%, 40% and 25% for <i>Acacia senegal</i>, <i>Boswellia microphylla, Boswelia neglecta </i>and<i> Commiphora myrrha </i>respectively. Thus, the seed of those species doesn’t have dormancy and all healthy and filled seeds had high germination rates. About 60% of<i> Boswellia microphylla </i>and <i>50% </i>of both<i> Commiphora myrrha</i> and<i> Boswelia neglecta</i> were sprouted in the fourth year of the studies. Hence, it is advisable to use stem propagations for any conservation purposes incase seeds of those species fail to germinate except for <i>Acacia senegal</i> as it is naturally not propagated by stem cutting. Therefore, it is recommended to increase the regenerations of those species by reducing overgrazing, avoiding burning of those species and reduce land degradations and also using seeds and vegetative propagations if any management aims for conservations.

Formalization of communal land tenure and expectations for pastoralist livelihoods

Despite progress towards recognizing communal land rights, there may be unintended outcomes, and for pastoral areas there is a need to be aware of how this may affect evolving pastoralist livelihoods. This paper examines trends in pastoralist livelihoods, perceptions and aspirations of pastoralists in a setting where a new communal property rights framework is in the early stages of implementation. The study was carried out in Dirre, a grazing unit of the Borana Zone in Ethiopia. It employed a mixed methods approach that included key informant interviews, focus group discussions, a workshop, a household survey and feedback sessions. The findings show that current livestock herd sizes make it difficult for pastoralists to rely only on livestock keeping, and have necessitated diversification. Crop production is increasingly becoming an alternative livelihood source, and most respondents reported wanting to expand their farms. Pastoralists also expect land certification to help secure land rights and enable better management of rangelands. However, there is also a widely held view that by providing security, certification will also make it easier for them to continue diversifying their livelihoods. This suggests that communal land certification is not likely to end the push to individualization of land and the transition to agropastoralism; it may even accelerate it. The strengthening of communal land rights can thus be used to guide this transition so that it represents a reorganization rather than a collapse of pastoralism. The focus of formalizing land rights for pastoralists should not be saving pastoralism or reversing the agropastoralist trend, but rather securing land rights to enhance the pastoralists’ capacity to make sound livelihood decisions.

Electoral Authoritarianism and the Question of Representation: The Case of Caffee Oromia, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT This article analyses aspects of representation and legitimacy of Caffee Oromia (the legislative council of the Oromia National Regional State) within Ethiopia’s electoral authoritarian political landscape. The article sheds light on the interplay between the Caffee, elected representatives and constituencies in Ethiopia’s ‘democratisation’ experiment within the post-1991 federal system. The empirical data for this research were collected from five zones in Oromia, namely East and West Guji, Borana, West Wallaga and Oromia Special zone surrounding Finfinne between February 2019 and June 2020 through qualitative research methodology. Leaders of indigenous institution (Gadaa system), community members, elders, members of the Caffee and local government authorities were interviewed. Ten Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) and 30 key informant interviews were conducted with purposively selected informants. The research findings show that there is a big rift between the elected representatives and their constituencies in terms of representation, accountability and communication whereby party loyalty overrides representatives’ accountability to the constitution, constituencies and conscience. Thus, Ethiopia exemplifies electoral authoritarianism both at national and sub-national levels, whereby election is used as a strategy of power consolidation of the ruling party rather than as a democratic exercise.

Milk Market Performances and cofounding factors along Milk Value Chain in Pastoral Area: A Case of Borana Pastoralists, Borana Zone, Ethiopia

The study was conducted in Borana zone with the objectives understanding the milk market performance and challenges along the value chain. The primary data was collected from 123 households that drawn proportionally following multistage sampling based randomly selected households. Additionally, relevant information was collected from different sectors besides relevant literatures session. Similarly, Focused Group Discussions, key informant interview and visual observations were also undertaken to collect the primary data. In the course of data collection, different set of checklists were used for different group of actors to guide survey data collection, group discussions and key informant interview. The study found that input supply, natural calamity, marketing system, declining of livestock productivity, infrastructure and hygiene are among the major challenges along the dairy value chain. Above all, the dominance of value chain actors by pastoralists coupled with fragmented milk marketing system were the critical factors that stunted the milk market system in the study area. As a result, the performance of milk value chain is fragmented and distorted. Moreover, the supply of milk to the market become meager even though the milk selling practices has been flamed. Additionally, the dilution of pure drought resistant Borana cattle called “Qorti” is at its critical level of its extinction which challenge the milk production. Thus, it is important to enhance the milk marketing, encouraging milk supply and improving milk productivity.

Seroprevalence and Public Health Significance of Toxoplasmosis in Small Ruminants of Pastoral Community in Yabello District, Borana Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic protozoan disease. Data on seroepidemiology of toxoplasmosis in Ethiopia is scarce, almost null in the pastoral area of the Borana zone. The study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence, to identify risk factors of toxoplasmosis in sheep and goats, and to assess the awareness level of pastoralists about toxoplasmosis in the Yabello district of Borana zone, Southern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2016 to April 2017 in six peasant associations of the Yabello district of Borana zone, Southern Ethiopia. A total of 400 serum samples of randomly selected small ruminants owned by pastoralists were examined to detect antibodies specific to Toxoplasma gondii using Latex Agglutination Test (SPINREACT, Girona, Spain). A semistructured questionnaire survey was used to conduct a face-to-face interview with owners (n = 100) of sampled flocks. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association of hypothesized risk factors. The overall seroprevalence was 52.8% of which 57.8 and 47.8% were sheep and goats, respectively. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed a higher seroprevalence ratio of T. gondii infection in sheep than goats (COR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.226–3.112; P = 0.005). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated significantly higher odds of acquiring T. gondii infection in adult animals (sheep: (AOR = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.323–3.874; P = 0.003), goats: (AOR = 2.15; 95% CI: 1.009–4.579; P = 0.047)), female sheep (AOR = 2.45; CI: 1.313–4.568; P = 0.005), animals from lowland areas (sheep: (AOR = 2.28; CI: 1.190–4.356; P = 0.013), goat: (AOR = 3.27; CI: 1.386–7.723; P = 0.007)), animal drinking lake water (sheep: (AOR = 1.93; CI: 1.011–3.698; P = 0.046), goat: (AOR = 2.96; CI: 1.297–6.771; P = 0.010)), and goats with history of abortion (AOR = 2.42; CI: 1.242–4.711; P = 0.009) than young animals, male (sheep), animals from midland areas, animals drinking wells water, and flock with no history of abortion (goat), respectively. Among respondents, 97.0% had no knowledge about toxoplasmosis and 75.0% drink raw milk and consume the meat of sheep and goats. 80.0% of respondents had no knowledge about the risk of cats to human and animal health while 70.0% of them had domestic cats and practice improper fetal body handling. Highly prevailing toxoplasmosis in small ruminants of the Yabello district might pose a serious economic loss and be a potential public health threat to the extremely vulnerable pastoralists. Therefore, awareness and further studies are warranted to tackle the economic and public health consequences of T. gondii infection.

Camel Trypanosomosis in Yabelo and Gomole Districts in Ethiopia: Prevalence and Associated Risk Factors Based on Parasitological Examinations.

BackgroundTrypanosomosis is the most prevalent disease and causes serious economic losses in Ethiopia. The disease is among the major constraint to camel production in the country. Hence, this study aimed to determine the occurrence and associated risk factors of camel trypanosomosis in the Borana zone, Ethiopia.MethodsA cross-sectional study design was conducted from December 2018 to December 2019 using parasitological techniques in the Yabelo and Gomole districts of the Borana zone. A total of 384 camels were randomly selected and tested using wet blood film (thin) and the Giemsa-stained technique. The packed cell volume (PCV) of sampled camels was recorded using a hematocrit reader.ResultsAn overall 3.91% prevalence of camel trypanosomosis was observed in study areas. Trypanosoma-infected camel had significant (P=0.0001) lower mean PCV (20.73±1.91) than non-infected camel (27.07±4.35). The current study showed body condition of camel (OR=6.8, 95% CI: 1.44–31.83) and season (OR=3.1, 95% CI: 1.04–9.07) as risk factors for the occurrence of camel trypanosomosis. However, the sex, age, and origin (district) of camel did not affect the occurrence of camel trypanosomosis in the study areas.ConclusionCamel trypanosomosis impeded camel production in the study areas. Therefore, control and prevent methods considering seasonality, different ecology is necessary to design and implement. Moreover, a further study involving more sensitive molecular techniques should be conducted on camel trypanosomosis and their vectors.

Determinants of Cow Milk Commercialization in Yabello District, Borana Zone of Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia

Milk is an important dairy product socially and economically in pastoral area of Ethiopia generally and Yabello district particularly. It is a source of food and cash income for the majority of milk producers. This study was aimed at analyzing cow milk market participation and determinants of cow milk commercialization. Data were collected from154 randomly selected producers in the district through a structured questionnaire. Both descriptive statistics and econometric models were used to analyze the data. The double hurdle model was used for analyzing cow milk market participation (first hurdle) and determinants of cow milk commercialization (the second hurdle). In first hurdle, the result of Probit Regression Model revealed that cow owned (TLU), cooperatives membership, production experience, market place, availability of labor force (adult equivalent) and age of the household head played a significant role in cow milk market participation. In the second hurdle, the result of Truncated Regression Model revealed that cows owned (TLU), milk production experience (year), market distance and age of the household head were found to significantly influence the cow milk commercialization in the study areas. Therefore, focuses are needed to support households for dairy commercialization in the study area. Especially, focus should be given to the establishment of a market place for milk and dairy product, supporting cooperative, selection of local breed, which determine the cow milk commercialization in the study area. Keywords: dairy commercialization, Yabello, Smallholder, Market Participation, Tobit, probit DOI: 10.7176/JMCR/78-03 Publication date: April 30 th 2021