Central Highlands Of Ethiopia Research Articles

Climate change and variability adaptation strategies and their implications for household food Security: The case of Basona Worena District, North Shewa zone, Ethiopia

The impact of climate change and variability on agriculture and food security is severe in countries that heavily depend on rainfed subsistence agriculture. Examine climate change and variability and determinant factors of adaptation to ensure household food security in Basona Worena District, central highland of Ethiopia. Data were collected from the randomly selected 138 sample households, key informants and National Meteorological Agency. Rainfall and temperature trend and variability were analyzed using the Mann-Kendall test and Precipitation Concentration Index. Household food security was determined using Household Food Insecurity Access Scale and Food Consumption Score. Moreover, Tobit Model was used to examine climate change and variability adaptation options, while ordered logistic regression was employed to examine the contribution of climate change and variability adaptation to household food security status from the food consumption dimension. In the study site, an increasing minimum and maximum temperatures and decreasing and variable annual and spring season rainfalls were observed. The site has experienced recurrent drought for the last 35 years (1981–2016). Farmers were practicing biophysical soil and water conservation technologies, agro-forestry, small scale irrigation, livelihood diversification, and growing of high yielding and drought resistant crop varieties. The study identified that extension advisory services, access to training, farm size, sex, frequency of flood, and access to credit determine farmers’ climate change and variability adaptation options. HFIAS and FCS analysis shows that food insecurity is high in the study site. Household food security status was influenced by climate variability and limited adaptation responses. The study suggests the implementation of feasible soil and water conservation, and livelihood diversification intervention to ensure household food security.

Evaluation of Liquid Potassium Fertilizer on Yield and Yield Components of Potato Under Irrigation on Nitisols in Central Highlands of Ethiopia

Nutrient deficiency is a major constraint for potato ( S olanum t u berosum L.) production in Ethiopia. Potato response to potassium fertilizer declined with widespread deficiencies of nutrients other than N and P, farmers are discouraged to apply such fertilizer recommendations. This study was, therefore, conducted for two years (2018-2019) on nitisols under irrigation to evaluate the response of potato to liquid potassium (K) fertilizer rates. The treatments were five (Negative control, recommended NPS, recommended NPS, recommended NPS + 3liter liquid K /ha, recommended NPS + 5 liter liquid K/ha, recommended NPS + 7liter liquid K/ha). The experiment was arranged in a randomized complete block design replicated four times on farmers’ fields. Results revealed that potato yield responded differently to the applied potassium fertilizer rates. Applications of 100% NP fertilizer with 5liter/ha liquid potassium fertilizer had a significant (p<0.05) effect on marketable tuber and total tuber yield of potato. In general application of liquid potassium fertilizer (100% NP fertilizer with 5liter/ha liquid K) indicates positive response on dray matter and specific gravity. In conclusion, based on the findings of the experiment with application of 5L/ha liquid potassium fertilizer with 100% recommended NP fertilizer are economically optimum for potato production. DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/11-22-01 Publication date: November 30 th 2021

Potato variety screening for its late blight of potato (Phytophthora infestans (Mont.) de Bary) resistance and yield performance in Northern Shewa, Central Highlands of Ethiopia

In North Shewa potato production is limited due to lack of awareness of potato production and lack of improved potato varieties, low yield of potato and potato devastating by late blight. The field experiments were conducted to evaluate the resistance levels of potato varieties against late blight and to evaluate the yield performance of potato varieties. A total of 12 varieties were arranged in randomly complete block design (RCBD) in three replications on a plot of 3 m X 3 m (9 m2) at three research locations during 2018 and 2019 main cropping seasons. Disease severities, disease progress curves, disease progress rate, tuber yield were significantly (P < 0.01) affected by potato varieties, locations and cropping seasons. On average of both cropping seasons, the varieties Menagesha, Ararsa, Chala, and Wechecha were susceptible while Gera, Gudenie, Belete, Chekole and Netib5 were moderately resistant to late blight of potato at each research site although there are some variations. Therefore, farmers at Debre Berhan are recommended to use Gudenie, Belete, Gera and Netib5 varieties while at Tengego, Gudenie, Belete, Chekole and Jalenie are recommendable. At Megezez the varieties of Gera, Netib5, Belete and Chekole are recommended.

Evaluation of Different Grade NPS Fertilizers on Agronomic Performance of Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) in Nitisol of Central Ethiopian Highland

Field experiment was conducted to evaluate the response of different grade NPS fertilizer and their rate on the growth performance of faba bean in the central highlands of Ethiopia, Oromia regional state at Welmera and Ejere districts Nitisols by using completely randomized block design with three replication which includes two different new NPS grade fertilizers with three application rates (80, 100 and 120%) from recommended rate with two standard and negative controls for two successive coping seasons. Where all soil, plant growth performance and yield data were collected accordingly the highest grain yield result was obtained from 80% of recommended rate of P from 13.3N-36P 2 O 5 -13.7S followed by the 3 rd treatment 100% of rec. rate of P from 19N-38P 2 O 5 -7S (Positive control 2). The partial budget analysis results also indicated that use of 80% of recommended rate of P from 13.3N-36P 2 O 5 -13.7S grade fertilizer got highest net benefit economic advantage and marginal rate of return over other treatment followed by treatment three in both parameters. Keywords: Nitisol, Faba bean, Different grade, NPS, fertilizer, yield and Net benefit. DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/12-19-02 Publication date: October 31 st 2021

Agronomic Performance of Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Influenced by Seed Rates and Weeding Frequency at Mutulu Kebele in Toke Kutaye District

Bread wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) is one of the major cereal crops in central high land of Ethiopia. However, its production and productivity is constrained by weed infestation and inappropriate seed rate used. Hence, an experiment was conducted to determine the optimal seed rate and weeding frequency for bread wheat production in Toke Kutaye district of West Shewa Zone of Oromia Regional State during 2020 main cropping season. Treatments consisted of five levels of seed rates (75, 100, 125, 150, and 175 kgha-1) and four levels of weeding frequency (zero weeding, once weeding (15 DAE), twice weeding (15 and 45 DAE) and thrice weeding (15, 45 and 75 DAE). Experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with factorial combination replicated thrice. Results of the study revealed that the interaction of seed rate and weeding frequency significantly (P≤0.05) influenced phenological and growth parameters except days reqired for 50% emergence and yield of bread wheat. Highest relative yield loss (71.3%) was recorded from weedy plot with 75 kgha-1 seed rate, while the lowest loss (1.2%) was recorded at 175 kgha-1seed rate with thrice hand weeding. Highest net benefit of ETB 73,170 ha-1 , marginal rate of return 884.4% and value to cost ratio of ETB 8.34 per unit of investment was obtained from 175 kgha-1 seed rate combined with thrice hand weeding. Therefore, use of 175 kgha-1 seed rate with thrice hand weeding was found profitable, and recommended to be practiced by wheat growers of the study area and similar agro-ecologies.

When ‘street-level bureaucrats’ act as cultural brokers: The normative dilemmas and personal commitment of government officials in southern Ethiopia

Following the implementation of ethnic federalism in 1995, for the first time, government officials have been appointed from among the various ethnic groups rather than being only drawn from the central Ethiopian highlands. As such, they carry the responsibility of mediating and translating between two rather different worlds and value systems: those of the state and state law and those of the local population, many of whom continue to widely apply customary law. Many of these native government officials find themselves in a normative dilemma, as they have to balance the, often contradictory, expectations of the government and the local population.

Carbon stocks of above- and belowground tree biomass in Kibate Forest around Wonchi Crater Lake, Central Highland of Ethiopia.

Forests play an important role in the global carbon (C) balance, but their biomass has decreased globally mainly because of deforestation and a reduction in forest cover. However, little is known about the C stock of tree biomass related to environmental factors in the remnant forest patches. Thus, the present study aimed at assessing the status of C stocks of tree biomass using an allometric equation in Kibate Forest (Ethiopia). Sixty–six plots (30×30 m) were laid out at 100 m interval distance along the altitudinal gradients in five transects. The results revealed that the highest C stocks (67.4%) per species were contributed by Juniperus procera, Ilex mitis var. mitis, Nuxia congesta, and Olea europaea subsp. cuspidata. The mean total tree biomass was 91.9 ± 10.01 Mg ha−1. The mean total C stock was 45.9 ± 5.17 Mg ha−1, out of which 38.3 ± 4.31 and 7.7 ± 0.91 Mg ha−1 were stored in above- and belowground C pools, respectively. Anthropogenic factors were negatively associated with the C-stock distribution in the study area. Thus, the status of the C stock of tree biomass related to anthropogenic factors indicates that sustainable forest management practice is needed in the study area to conserve biodiversity and mitigate climate change.

Community Perceptions Towards the Impacts of Ecotourism Development in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia: The Case of Lake Wanchi and Its Adjacent Landscapes

Scientific studies harmonizing biodiversity conservation, ecotourism development, and local livelihoods in areas of natural endowments have significant importance in the welfare of society. The objective of this study was to investigate the local community’s perception of the impacts of the Wanchi Ecotourism Association (WETA) and test the relationship between these perceptions and some socio-demographic predictor variables based on the social exchange theory. Data was collected using household surveys, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, field observations, and document analysis. Simple statistical analysis, such as descriptive statistics, cross-tabulations, multiple response sets, and chi-square tests were used to analyze the socio-demographic characteristics and opinions on ecotourism development. Multinomial logistic regression was used to analyze the local community’s perceptions towards the impacts of ecotourism using socio-demographic variables as predictors of the community responsiveness, based on the social exchange theory. The non-quantifiable information was analyzed using qualitative descriptions. There was enough evidence for the high resident's support for ecotourism development and perceptions of its positive impacts, while there was limited community participation, less economic benefit, and inequitable sharing of the revenues generated from WETA. The examination in the distribution of observed and expected perception responses on the impacts of ecotourism showed statistically significant differences (χ2 = 110.833, df = 3, P = 0.000). The multinomial logistic regression revealed that the variables of educational level, duration of stay in the study landscape, ecotourism benefit, and place of residence from the ecotourism attraction center have a significant association with respondents’ perception toward impacts of ecotourism. The study supported the social exchange theory, in that those who benefited from ecotourism viewed it as a development preference, and so are more likely to have positive attitudes concerning ecotourism.

Determinants of adoption and intensity of improved faba bean cultivars in the central highlands of Ethiopia: a double-hurdle approach

BackgroundFaba bean (Vicia faba. L) is the most important pulse crop both in area coverage and volume of annual production in Ethiopia. However, productivity in terms of yield in Ethiopia is still far below its potential. One important reason is that farmers are largely dependent on their local landraces. Despite the release of about 34 improved faba bean cultivars, farmers’ use of certified improved seeds is very low. This study, therefore, aimed to generate useful information on farmers’ adoption of improved faba bean cultivars by identifying factors that determine a farmer’s decision to use improved cultivars.MethodsA multi-stage sampling technique was followed to select sample households. A cross-sectional household survey was used to collect data from 168 households that were randomly selected. Moreover, focus group discussions and key informant interviews were conducted. For data analysis, the Double-hurdle econometric model was employed.ResultsThe results revealed that the majority, i.e., 77% of rural households depended on their local landraces. The adoption rate of improved faba bean seed at the household level was 23% which is very low. This low adoption rate was mainly due to a lack of access to improved seed and a lack of awareness about the improved cultivars. The results suggest that the decisions to adopt the improved cultivars and how much land to be covered appear to be explained by different processes. The double-hurdle econometric model result further revealed that while a farmer’s adoption decision is influenced by family size, farmers’ awareness about the existing improved cultivars, and extension contact, the intensity of adoption is determined by livestock holding and access to market information.ConclusionThe result showed that most of the rural households were largely dependent on their local faba bean landraces which result in low yields at harvest. Therefore, it is suggested that the promotion of improved faba bean cultivars and improve farmers’ access to extension service and timely market information are the most decisive factors to be emphasized to improve the adoption of improved cultivars.

Effects of Soil and Water Conservation Structures on Selected Soil Physicochemical Properties: The Case of Ejersa Lafo District, Central Highlands of Ethiopia

Land degradation in the form of soil erosion and fertility depletion is the major environmental problem in Ethiopia. However, to curb this problem, soil and water conservation (SWC) structures are commonly practiced in many rural parts of Ethiopia. This study was conducted to assess the effects of SWC structures on selected soil physicochemical properties in Ejersa Lafo district. For this study, two kebeles (peasant associations) were selected purposively from the district based on the severity of soil erosion and information on SWC practices. The research design employed in this study was systematic, randomized, complete block design. A total of 12 composite soil samples were collected from the depth of 0 to 20 cm at two subwatersheds, namely, Jamjam laga batu and Koriso Odo guba with SWC and without SWC structures at three landscape positions. All the soil samples were analyzed following the standard and recommended procedures. The effect of independent variables (SWC practices and landscape positions) on the dependent variables (soil properties) was statistically tested using the SPSS computer program 21. In this study, most of the selected soil physicochemical properties were affected by watershed management intervention (SWC) structures. Soil moisture content (SMC), clay, pH, electrical conductivity (EC), total N (TN), available (AP), available K (AK), and organic carbon (OC) were higher in the subwatershed treated with SWC structures (conserved), whereas bulk density, silt, and sand were higher in the subwatershed without SWC structures (nonconserved). Most of the selected soil chemical properties were significantly varied (p&lt;0.05) between conserved and nonconserved farm land except EC. All the selected soil physicochemical properties did not show any significant variation (p&lt;0.05) at landscape positions except sandy soil. The physicochemical soil properties of selected parameters were in good conditions in the conserved areas with higher N and OM and lower BD, indicating fertility of the soil compared with the nonconserved land. The implementation of SWC structures improved some of the physicochemical properties of soil, such as SMC, clay particle, pH, EC, total N, AP, AK, and OC in the study area. Furthermore, efforts are required to enhance community adoption towards soil and water conservation. Additionally, further research has to be carried out on socioeconomic aspects and impacts of the intervention on crop productivity for better understanding of the sustainable use of the land.

The adoption impact of wheat-chickpea double cropping on yield and farm income of smallholder farmers in Central Highlands of Ethiopia: the case of Becho district

This paper examines impacts of adoption of wheat chickpea double cropping on yield and farm income of smallholder rural farmers in Becho district, South West Shewa Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia. The study used cross-sectional data collected from 203 smallholder farm households selected randomly through two-stage stratified random sampling technique. Propensity score matching was employed to analyze the impacts of adoption on yield and farm income. The result showed that adoption of wheat-chickpea double cropping has significant impact on yield and farm income of the group of adopter households compared to the group of non-adopters. With regard to yield, adopters harvested average wheat yield of 2120 kg/ha, while the non-adopters harvested average wheat yield of 1420 kg/ha. In addition, the treated households earned average annual farm income of about 709.125 Euro per year from sale of both wheat and chickpea as adopters; while the non-adopters earned average farm income of 129 Euro from sale of wheat. These results imply that scaling out of wheat-chickpea double cropping contributes to food security and rural livelihood improvement through yield and farm income increment. Hence, encouraging farmers towards adoption of wheat-chickpea double cropping is essential for improving livelihoods of rural households by properly addressing factors such as access to improved seeds, training on double cropping, involvement in non-farm income activities, access to broad bed maker (BBM), ownership of tropical livestock unit (TLU) and access to fertilizer.

Productivity Improvement of Faba Bean (Vicia faba L.) through Elite Rhizobial Inoculants in the Central Highlands of Ethiopia

This study envisioned to assess the inoculation response of faba bean to six indigenous rhizobial isolates, 100 kg ha-1 DAP as a positive control and non-inoculated negative control under farmers’ field conditions at Welmera district, Ethiopia. The results revealed the presence of significantly different treatments (p ≤ 0.05) in grain yield. The highest grain yields (3966 kg ha-1and 3694 kg ha-1) were obtained from inoculation of rhizobial isolates (FB-AR-13 and FB-1018) during the 2019/20 and 2020/21 cropping seasons. Based on the two successive year’s average grain yield response, FB-AR-13 (3966 kg ha-1) became the first most performing isolate. The partial budget analysis results also showed that FB-AR-13 was the most promising isolate that showed a higher MRR 6422 %, which is 43% higher than the MRR of the local standard check FB-1018. Therefore, isolate FB-AR-13 is the best promising candidate for the development of commercial faba bean rhizobial inoculant in the central high lands of Ethiopia after further verification over different farmers' fields at different agro-ecologies.

Interplay of Rhizobial Inoculants and Fungicide on Chickpea (Cicer Arietinum) and Faba Bean (Vicia Faba L.) Nodulation and Seed Yield in Central Ethiopian Highland

Field and green house experiments were conducted on faba bean and chickpea during 2016-2017 to investigate the effect of fungicides and rhizobial inoculant interaction on nodulation and biomass accumulation of chickpea under Vertisol condition and (ii) faba bean under Nitisol condition. Chickpea seed was treated with Apron Star, Imidalm and both, and co-dressed with EAL-029 rhizobia simultaneously or a week later. Likewise, in one of the two sets, faba bean seed was treated with Apron Star and simultaneously dressed with FB-1017 or FB-1035 rhizobial strain. The other set had the same strains as pre inoculant and sprayed with Mancozeb at 30th day after sowing. Sole inoculants and N (faba bean) were used as check. The application rates of Apron Star, Imidalm, and inoculant were 2.5, 0.75, and 3.12 g kg-1 of seed while for Mancozeb is 2.5kg/ha. All treatments were replicated 4x and laid in RCB design. The result generally depicted that Apron Star application was compatible to EAL-029 rhizobia on chickpea. Staggered dressing of Apron Star and EAL-029 had better chickpea shoot dry matter accumulation. With regards to faba bean, co-dressing of Apron Star with FB-1017 or FB-1035 produced the highest nodulation. This confirmed the synergy of Apron Star with FB-1017 on Nitisol of central high land of Ethiopia. Moreover, spraying mancozeb on the 30th day after sowing to FB-1017 or FB-1035 preinoculated faba bean plant showed enhanced seed yield on Nitisol.

Wheat yield and changes in some major soil variables as affected by gypsum application in the Central Ethiopian highland agricultural soils

Field experiments were conducted in three locations: Arsi, East Shewa and West Shewa zones during 2014–16 aimed at exploring the influence of gypsum on wheat yield and soil properties. Results showed that gypsum application significantly increased wheat yield and affected soil composition. The applied highest rate of gypsum gave significantly higher wheat grain yield (**p < 0.01); and increased soil SO4-S and Ca2+ compared with the control variant (CK) and the lower gypsum rates. With applied highest rate of gypsum, grain yield advantage ranging from 93.3% at Berfeta Tokofa2, to 166.7% at Keteba2 sites compared with CK were obtained. While with applied nitrogen, percent grain yield advantages ranged from 68.8% at Wonji Gora, to 133.3% at Keteba2 sites compared with CK were obtained. The soil variables: sulfur, calcium, calcium saturation and saturation percent also showed dramatic changes after gypsum application. But, the contents of magnesium, potassium, sodium and phosphorus were reduced with the rate of gypsum applied. But, fertilizers urea and triple super phosphate (TSP) application increased soil phosphorus. Changes in soil pH due to gypsum were inconsistent or trendless. Overall, the significantly increasing wheat yield and enhanced soil composition signifies the role gypsum could play in organic farming in the country. However, as this was the on-farm experiment affected by multitude of factors, for proper recommendation and improvement of significance in the variables considered, it is therefore suggested that further works should be installed using controlled conditions and specialized laboratory techniques.

Environmental and financial benefits of improved cookstove technologies in the central highlands of Ethiopia

This study assessed the potential contributions of improved cookstoves in increasing organic fertilizer availability for application to farmland, greenhouse gas emission mitigation and improvement of household finances using the Kitchen Performance Test, Controlled Cooking Test, household survey and focus group discussions. Substitution of a three-stone open fire with improved cookstoves significantly (p < 0.01) improved fuel use efficiency by 54% (highest) for the mirt stove with an additional biogas stove and 32% (lowest) for the mud stove without an additional biogas stove. The greenhouse gas emission reductions in carbon dioxide equivalents were 4534 (±32) kg y−1, 6370 (±42) kg y−1, 6953 (±51) kg y−1, 7661 (±43) kg y−1 for the mud stove, mirt stove, mud stove with an additional biogas stove and mirt stove with an additional biogas stove respectively. The average financial savings from the sale of surplus biomass fuel for the improved cookstoves were higher than the summed financial savings from substitution of commercial fertilizer, generation of carbon finance and replacement of kerosene for lighting. This explains why households usually prefer to sell surplus biomass fuels instead of using them as organic fertilizers. This finding suggests that wide scale adoption of fuel-efficient solid biomass stoves can contribute to the financial security of households, and may help to reduce green gas emissions, but will do little to increase the fertility of soils. By contrast, including biogas stoves will help to improve soil fertility by retaining at least some of the carbon and nutrients in bioslurry that will then be applied to the soil.

The Economic Loss of Dairy Cattle Poor Reproductive Performance inCentral Highlands of Ethiopia

The purpose of the study was to quantify the economic loss due to delayed conception in dairy cows and heifers in central highlands of Ethiopia using data collected from 298 randomly selected dairy farmers of Oromia and Amhara national regional states. The study covered two zones of Oromia (Finfine special zone and North Shoa) and one zone of Amhara (North Shoa). A three-stage sampling technique was employed to select the sample for the study which involved purposive and random sampling techniques. The data collection was done using a structured questionnaire. Both descriptive and inferential statistics were used to analyze the data. The total loss due to poor reproductive performance per year per cow/heifer was the aggregate of milk loss, extra feed cost, extra medical cost, breeding cost, calf loss, and extra labor. The result of the study revealed that the mean annual cost of the poor reproductive performance of the crossbreed cow was ETB 32,068.53 (US $1,167.40) with the mean per day cost of ETB 157.43 (US $5.73). On the other hand, the mean annual cost of poor reproductive performance of local zebu cows was ETB 15,696.34 (US $571. 39) with the mean per cow per day cost of ETB 54.90 (US $2.00). Based on the results, a high proportion of poor reproductive performance cost of crossbreed cows goes to milk loss (53%) and extra feed cost (39%), and the highest proportion goes to cost of milk loss (53%) and cost of extra feed (33%) for local zebu cows. Concurrently, the cost of poor reproductive performance (delayed conception) for crossbreed heifers was ETB 69,333.59 (US $2,523.97) with a mean per heifer per day cost of ETB 151.75 (US $5.52), and the mean cost of poor reproductive performance of local zebu heifers along the study zones was ETB 27,010.75 (US $ 983.28) with a mean per day per heifer cost of ETB 52.56 (US $1.91). More than 55% of the cost goes to milk loss for both crossbreed and local zebu heifers. The study has also estimated the cost of delayed conception in central Ethiopia. The estimated result showed that poor reproductive performance of crossbred cows annually costs ETB 2,053,022,879.41 (US $74,736,908.61). On other hand, poor reproductive performance of local zebu cattle costs ETB 14,802,637,790.05 (US $538,865,591.19). Thus, it is suggested to work on AI efficiency, timely culling, and using crossbreed dairy cattle to reduce the economic losses caused by delayed conception.

Effect of Timing of Nitrogen Split Application on Productivity, Nitrogen Use Efficiency and Economic Benefits of Food Barley (Hordium vulgare L.) in Central Highlands of Ethiopia

This study was planned to identify the appropriate nitrogen fertilizer split application timing for food barley using 'HB-1307' food barley variety. This experiment was done at Holeta Agricultural Research center, West Shoa, Ethiopia. The split nitrogen application times were ½ at planting + ½ at mid tillering, ½ at planting + ½ at anthesis, nil at planting + ½ at mid tillering + ½ at anthesis, nil at planting + full at mid tillering, nil at planting + full at anthesis, ½ at planting + 2/3 at mid tillering, 1/3 at planting + 1/3 mid tillering + 1/3 at anthesis, nil at planting + 1/3 mid tillering + 2/3 at anthesis, 2/3 at planting + 1/3 mid tillering, 2/3 at planting + 1/3 at anthesis, full at planting and negative control. The experiment was laid out randomized complete block design with three replications. Timing of split nitrogen fertilizer applications has significant effect on the yield and yield component of food barley. Application of nitrogen fertilizer one third at sowing plus two third at mid tillering gave the highest grain yield. This application method gave a yield advantage of 9.96 % over the commonly practiced 1/2 at sowing and 1/2 at mid tillering. It also gave the highest economic return and agronomic Nitrogen Use Efficiency. Keywords: split application timing ,nitrogen fertilizer, nitisols, food barley DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/12-9-02 Publication date: May 31 st 2021

Determining Appropriate Broad Bed and Furrow Length for Durum Wheat Production Under Different Land Slopes of Vertisols in the Central Ethiopian Highlands

In Ethiopia, Veritisols cover 15-20% of the highland’s areas. As they contain high proportion of swelling clay such as smectites, they are highly prone to water erosion. In fact, when clay particles are swollen, infiltration becomes negligible, so surface runoff increases

Monitoring Environmental Changes and Their Drivers: The Case Study of Central Ethiopian Highlands

The central Ethiopian highlands, which are attracting massive population influx from the surrounding areas, are being subjected to myriad environmental changes and impacts thereof. Hence, an in-depth understanding of the statuses, and trends of the environmental resources on the highland is critical. This study used archived remotely sensed Landsat data to produced Land Use and Land Cover maps of the highlands and changes over 32 years (1985 – 2017). The Hybrid Maximum Likelihood Algorithm and image segmentation techniques; and Land Change Modeler were deployed. Accordingly, Agricultural lands, Grass/Bare lands, Lakes/Ponds, Scrublands, Settlement/Urban areas, Vegetation areas, and Wetlands were detected and mapped. Overall mapping accuracies and kappa statistics ranged between 84% - 87.6% and 95.7% - 94.4%, respectively. Agriculture is the dominant Land Use and Land Cover type throughout, though the compositions of the remaining Land Use and Land Cover types have changed since 1985; except for Lakes/Ponds, and Wetlands. Settlement/Urban areas have grown by 546%, at the expense of agricultural lands and vegetation areas, a condition that is exposing farmers to the loss of massive cropland and woodlands. Additionally, Agricultural lands have changed into Grass/Bare lands and Scrublands, as shreds of evidence of the environmental impacts of the rapid urbanization. Therefore, with an anticipated growing population and urban expansion on the highland, it is essential to promote practices of sustainable land resource management and development in the region.

Technical Inefficiency Determinants in Potato Production: The case of Potato Farmers in Central Highlands of Ethiopia

The study identified the factors that cause variation in the level of efficiency in potato production. The study used household level cross sectional data collected in 2015/16 from 196 sample farmers selected by multistage sampling technique. For the data collection, a personally administered structured questionnaire was used. In the analyses, descriptive statistics, a stochastic frontier model (SFM) and a two-limit Tobit regression model were employed. Tobit model revealed that technical efficiency was positively and significantly affected by education, land tenure status, extension service, credit and soil fertility whereas variables such as sex of household head, age of household head, farm size and land fragmentation affected it negatively. Therefore the study suggested the need for policies to discourage land fragmentation and promote education, extension visits, access to credit and soil fertility for improvement in technical efficiency.