Development Of Agents Research Articles

Factors Affecting Farmer’s Adoption of Soil and Water Conservation Practice in Case of Gode District, Shebelle Zone, Somali Region, Ethiopia

Data for this study were gathered through focus groups, questionnaires, and interviews with family heads, district agricultural offices, and development agents (DAs). The most significant and positive factors that positively and significantly influenced the outcome of the logistic regression model were age, sex, the slope of the farm land, the intention of the household heads to sustain farming, training, and extension services. Furthermore, household heads who had access to training and extension services were 2.619 and 5.674 times more likely to adopt SWC structures than those who had no access to these services, respectively. The household heads who had the intention to sustain the activities of farming and People who farmed on steep slopes had a 1.996 and 6.116 times higher likelihood of implementing SWC structures than those who did not have these characteristics, respectively. Inversely, increasing accessibility to finance services, farming extent, and involvement in non-farm pursuits reduced by (-1.371), (-1.390), and (-4.132) times the probability of adopting SWC structures, According to the study's findings, age, sex, slope, motive, travel distance, training outside of farming activities, and the availability of extension services were the main determinants of farmers' adoption of SWC methods. Hence, in order to successfully address the challenges of adoption of SWC practices in the study area, it is advised that non-governmental organisations, the district agricultural office, and other stakeholders take into consideration the obstacles that prevent farmers from adopting SWC practices

Urban Expansion Simulation Coupled with Residential Location Selection and Land Acquisition Bargaining: A Case Study of Wuhan Urban Development Zone, Central China’s Hubei Province

The urban expansion process involves multiple stakeholders whose interactions and decision-making behaviors have a complex impact on urban land conversion. In this study, we established an urban expansion simulation model that couples two sub-models: the residential location selection model and the land acquisition bargaining model. Those sub-models include four types of agents: resident agent (RA), real estate developer agent (DA), government agent (GA), and farmer agent (FA). The residential location selection model is composed of three agents, RA, DA, and GA, and is first used to select residential locations, while an artificial neural network (ANN) is used to define the behavior rules of RA and RA selects pixels as candidate locations according to the joint decision probability. Then the land acquisition bargaining model is used, which is composed of GA and FA. If the land acquisition is successful, a pixel is converted into urban land, which is occupied by the corresponding RA; otherwise, the RA selects the next pixel and enters the bargaining process again, and so on, until the RA successfully selects a residential location. Each iteration represents the selection process of an agent. We used this model to simulate urban expansion within the Wuhan Urban Development Zone (WHUDZ) of central China from 2009 to 2019. The overall accuracy and Kappa coefficient of the simulation results were 92.78% and 55.24%, respectively, which were higher than the results using logistic regression cellular automata. Moreover, we obtained the relative contributions of various influencing factors in the ANN on the residential location selection, revealing the influence of the land acquisition process on land expansion. In addition, the coupled model predicted that the WHUDZ’s urban land area will reach 1415.82 km2 in 2029, mainly through extensional expansion, and the southeast and northwest will be expansion hot spots.

Determinants of functionality level of farmers training centers in north-west Ethiopia

The Ethiopian agricultural extension system is highly dependent on Farmers/Pastoralists Training Centers (F/PTCs), hereinafter training centers simply. These training centers are established at Kebele level mainly to provide advisory, information, demonstration, and training services to farmers and pastoralists. Nationally, the training centers are categorized into four levels based on their functionality level. The purpose of this study is to assess the determinants of the training centers' level of functionality in North-West Ethiopia. A cross-sectional data were collected from April to June 2020 from 44 training centers. The quantitative data were collected through a survey questionnaire filled by heads of the training centers. The qualitative data were also collected by interviewing key informants, such as Woreda and Kebele level extension workers. The ordered (adjacent-category) logistic model was employed to analyze the determinants of the training centers’ level of functionality. Working experience of development agents (DAs), annual internal revenue, availability of water, and linkage with local cooperatives were found to be significant factors affecting the functionality level of FTCs. Thus, arranging experience sharing platforms among development agents, enabling the training centers to generate their revenue, exploit available water sources, and create strong linkages with locally available cooperatives are suggested to make the low performing training centers at equal footing with the higher performing ones. This study contributes to the literature on what determines the functionality level of FTCs in Ethiopia. It has also a methodological contribution by applying the adjacent-category econometric model which is a rarely used variant of the ordered logistic regression model for ordinal response variables.

New Developments in Pediatric Antifungal Pharmacology.

New Developments in Pediatric Antifungal Pharmacology.

Work Motivation of Development Agents in Agricultural Extension Services Provision in Minjar Shenkora and Ada’a woredas, Central Ethiopia

This study assessed the work motivation of Development Agents (DAs) and analyzed the major factors that might influence their motivation. The study involves a survey questionnaire of 143 DAs, key informants, and focus group discussants in Minjar Shenkora and Ada’a woredas. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics like means, standard deviations, frequencies, and percentages. While qualitative data were thematically summarized, narrated, and then interpreted for triangulation. Chi-square and F-tests were used to test the significance of the mean value differences of the categorical and continuous variables, respectively. Pearson’s Product Moment Correlation was used to identify factors and to measure the degree of correlation between factor variables related to work motivation. Results of this study showed that about 69% of DAs were in a medium level of work motivation, while about 21% of them were in a low level. While analyzing the major factors affecting work motivation, promotion, recognition, competitive salary, dependable supervision, workload, and degree of involvement were highly correlated positively with work motivation of DAs at a 1% level of significance. Therefore, necessary efforts have to be made to improve the work motivation of DAs in agricultural extension organizations. Thus, concerning agricultural policymakers, extension managers, and supervisors should conduct periodic assessments of work motivation of DA’s and have to plan for improvement. Keywords : Central Ethiopia, development agent, extension services, motivation, DOI: 10.7176/FSQM/112-03 Publication date: January 31 st 2022

Assessments of the Current Agricultural Extension Systems and Recommended for Interventions in Gurage Zone Ethiopia

This paper anticipated to identifying the existing extension systems, problem unhindered and recommends the interventions which contribute to improve or enhance the extension systems in the study area. From a total of twelve districts in Gurage zone the study covers agro ecologically classified seven districts with a total of twelve villages. FGD (Focus group discussion), key informant, DAs(Development agent), university lecturers and concerned bodies were participated to generate these valuable findings. In Gurage Zone a total of 1070 multidisciplinary professionals extension workers were working with 408 FTCs (Farmers training center) to deliver extension service for a total of 236929 smallholders farmers. Regardless of the significance of FTCs in the provision of extension service, it was observed that they are not functioning at full capacity to deliver the expected service due to a number of constraints such as professional turnover, awareness problem, budget shortage and weak monitoring system, information and skill gap. Our study underline that based on group discussion, personal observation and key informant question confirmed that all FTCs are not actively involved with full capacity and also all smallholder farmers do not participated training which was conducted in FTCs. Our survey results showed that there are a number of constraints affecting the performance of the extension service in the study area major extension and socioeconomic focus have been considered as the constraints which were identified in Gurage zone for possible research and development interventions which are likely to improve smallholder farmers production and productivity. Keywords: Agricultural Extension, Intervention DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/12-1-01 Publication date: January 31 st 2022

Innovative agriculture in Ethiopia: public insights on its arrangements

ABSTRACT This study explores whether the arrangement for innovative agriculture is fulfilled in the Ethiopian context as perceived by key stakeholder groups, district-level experts, development agents (DAs), and smallholder farmers. A structural–functional analysis framework was used to guide our assumptions. Quantitative and qualitative methods of data collection and analysis were applied. Our findings revealed weak structural elements and poor functional activities arrangements in the zone and significant differences among key stakeholder groups, district-level experts, DAs, and farmers’ perceptions. Particularly, grassroots-level participants (DAs and farmers) enumerated several factors for poor implementation of innovative agriculture in their locality: poor coordination, shortage of competent human resources, budget constraints, and poor infrastructure, among others. To implement innovative agriculture that can benefit the smallholder farming community, therefore, Ethiopia needs to strengthen the arrangements of structural elements and functional activities at the grassroots levels.

Assessment of Levels of Community Awareness to Effects of Forest Degradation and their Environmental Management Practices in Jimma Zone, South western Ethiopia

This study aimed to assess the levels of community awareness to the environmental effects of growing use of forest product for peoples’ livelihood and their management practices in Jimma Zone. Thus, local farming communities, Development Agents (DA), Agriculture and Natural resource, Forest and Environmental Protection Officials & Experts are the participant of this study. The study employed descriptive survey research design and both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collections were employed. To assess community environmental awareness survey questionnaire questions (both open and close ended) were distributed for 240 sample respondents. An interview with10 Key informant interviews were also conducted with the head of natural resource management offices of selected woredas and six development agents (DA) in sample selected kebeles and four focus group discussions (FDG) consisted of 10 members were also employed to collect qualitative data.The findings show that all the respondents aware of forest and natural resource degradation about (87%) and (75.4%) were aware of clearing of forest to expand farmland for growing population and cutting trees for fuel wood, charcoal and other forest productsrespectively. Only very few of the respondents were indicate that lack of community awareness to sustainable use and management of forest resource (44.5%)and lack of clear understanding of forest laws and regulation among the community (40.4%)as a cause of deforestation. Therefore, the assessment of community awareness to forest resource degradation survey result shows that all of the farmers in the study area have been aware of natural resource and environmental degradation. Based on the findings of this study, it is recommended that there is a need of modifying educational/training programs for local communities considering the existing knowledge and practices in a particular area.

An investigation of chemical composition and antimicrobial activity of essential oils extracted from Aeollanthus and Plectranthus species

Essential oils from plants represent a rich source of new antimicrobials that are able to overcome the microbial virulence. The present study was designed to determine the chemical compositions and assess antimicrobial potentials of essential oils derived from Aeollanthus cucullathus (Ryding), Aeollanthus heliotropioides (Oliv.) and Plectranthus glandulosus (Hook. F.) against Candida species biofilm formation. Essential oils were extracted using hydrodistillation followed by the chemical composition determination using gas chromatography coupled with mass spectrometry (GC-MS). The minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC) was determined using a microdilution method. Then, the antibiofilm assay was performed in two stages; germ tubes and mature biofilm formation by a micro biofilm inhibition assay. Extraction yields were 0.0001%; 0.07% and 0.04%, respectively for Aeollanthhus cucullathus (ACap), Aeollanthus heliotropioides (AHap) and Plectranthus glandulosus (PGl) essential oils (EOs). The chemical analysis revealed the presence of naphthalene, 1,2,3,4,4a,5,6,8a-octahydro-4a,8-dimethyl-2-(1-methylet henyl)-, [2R-(2.alpha.,4a.alpha.,8 a.beta.)]- (6.71%), caryophyllene oxide (5.12%), 2-Isopropyl-5-methyl-9-methylenebicyclo[4.4.0]dec-1-ene (4.95%) in ACap EOs; linalool (25.67%), farnesene (13.20%), caryophyllene (6.02%) in AHap EOs and germacrene D (9.90%), (E)-3-hexenyl butyrate (9.30%), l-fenchone (8.75%) in PGl EOs. MIC values ranged from 0.31 mg/mL to 5 mg/mL respectively for AHap and PGl EOs. The inhibition of pseudo-hyphae formation revealed an activity up to 0.03 mg/mL for AHap EO on C. albicans. All the EOs inhibited the mature biofilm formation at subinhibitory concentrations. This study highlighted the possible uses of A. heliotropioides, A. cucculathus and P. glandulosus for therapeutic agent's development.

Nematode Chitin and Application.

Plant-parasitic nematode infection is a global problem for agriculture and forestry. There is clearly a need for novel nematicides, because of the pitifully small repertoire of nematicides available and the effectiveness of losing or environmental prohibition of these nematicides. Chitin is the essential component of nematode eggshell and pharynx. The disturbance of chitin synthesis or hydrolysis led to nematode embryonic lethal, laying defective eggs or moulting failure. Thus, the key components in the chitin metabolic process are promising targets for anti-nematode agent's development. In this chapter, we focus on chitin and chitin synthase of nematodes, chitinases and their roles in nematode survival and application of chitin in nematode control.

The impact of adaptation practices on crop productivity in northwest Ethiopia: an endogenous switching estimation

ABSTRACTClimate change and variability adversely affect smallholder farmers in developing countries, including Ethiopia. In response, farmers are adopting various adaptation strategies. However, there is a paucity of studies examining whether or not these responses benefit farmers in increasing crop productivity. Cognizant of this fact and its policy importance, this study empirically analyzes the impact of adaptation strategies on crop productivity in northwest Ethiopia. We collected data through household survey questionnaire, focus group discussion and key informant interview. We also analyzed time-series climate data to see how crop yield responds to climate variability. The empirical model employs the endogenous switching regression. Climate information and distance to market are validated as instrumental variables. The model revealed that farmers who adopted adaptation strategies would have gained lower yield if they had not adopted them; and those who did not adopt a strategy would have gained higher yield than if they had. Improved seed, contact with development agents (DAs), urea, compost and rainfall are significantly associated with the likelihood of increasing yield. The results also show systematic difference where age is inversely related with adapters and vice versa for non-adapters. Hence, adaptation interventions should consider these heterogeneities.

Farmers Status, Knowledge & Management Practices on Major Chickpea Insect Pests in Some Selected Zones of Ethiopia

Survey were undertaken in five zones of Oromiya and Amhara regional states, Ethiopia from February to March 2018 to investigate farmers’ status, knowledge, major chickpea production constraints and insect pest management practices of chickpea. The survey involved 293 randomly taken farmers, who are interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Chickpea insect pests were considered as the main, among production constraints of chickpea by most of the interviewed farmers in Ethiopia. The majority of the farmers’ responded that Helicoverpa armigera (Hübner) (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is the most prevalent insect pests of chickpea under field condition and Callosobruchus chinensis (L.) (Coleoptera: Bruchidae) in storage. Development Agents (DAs) were the top pest advisory service providers in the current study. A conventional insecticide (namely; Lambda-cyhalotrin and Dimethoate) for the control of H. armigera was the most commonly used pest management methods. Moreover, Two times insecticide applications per cropping season were the most frequent, deployed by most of the interviewed farmers followed by cultural pest management practices. Use of biological control and resistant chickpea varieties against major insect pests were low to negligible in the current survey study in the area. The majority of the farmers began control decision when H. armigera larval stages were smaller and they did not consider larval number per chickpea plant for the decision. These results will be used to formulate future effective and sustainable integrated pest management (IPM) in chickpea for Ethiopian farmers emphasizing ecologically and economically-based approaches.

English

The study aims to assess the effectiveness of the current agricultural information management system and communication, and the gap between required and available information to extension personnel at central highland of Ethiopia. Consulting with head of districts agricultural office, 5 to 6 farmers training center (FTC) from Welmera and Ejera districts were selected randomly. 92 development agents and eleven subject matter specialist who were working in each FTC and bureau of agricultural were interviewed. And researchers also collected qualitative data. For data analysis, descriptive statistics tools were used. In the study area, 75% of development agents (DAs) and subject mater specialist (SMS) got new and updated information frequently and occasionally. Even though, more than half of the respondents know the current extension packages that are developed by Ministry of Agriculture (MOA), they lack documentation. Moreover, development agents and subject matter specialist are less satisfied on promotional opportunity and rewarding system in their organization. The overall finding of the study underlined less availability of regular trainings on new agricultural technologies, less availability of promotional opportunities and rewarding system to DA and SMS, documentation and fewer office equipment problems at FTC level in the area. Therefore, agricultural research center and Ministry of Agriculture should provide problem solving trainings on new agricultural technologies and media design techniques regularly, reconsider salary, promotional opportunities and rewarding system of DA and SMS, supervision of documentation system at FTC level, and furnishing FTC office would help to improve the current agricultural information system in the area. Key words: Development agents, agricultural knowledge, farmers training center, source of information.

Developing and validating a competence profile for Development Agents: an Ethiopian case study

ABSTRACTPurpose: Development Agents (DAs) are employed by agricultural departments to provide capacity development for farmers. In this contribution, the adjustment of a competence profile originally developed for the Province of Esfahan [Karbasioun, M., M. Mulder, and H. J. A. Biemans. 2007. ‘Towards a Job Competency Profile for Agricultural Extension Instructors: A Survey of Views of Experts.’ Human Resource Development International 10 (2): 137–151] is described for the context of the West Gojjam Zone in Ethiopia. This was necessary because 10 years' time has elapsed since the development of the profile, new insights in competence theory have emerged, and contextual variation needs to be taken into account.Design/methods/approach: Firstly, the competence profile of Karbasioun, Mulder, and Biemans. [2007. ‘Towards a Job Competency Profile for Agricultural Extension Instructors: A Survey of Views of Experts.’ Human Resource Development International 10 (2): 137–151] was adjusted through a line-by-line conceptual analysis. Secondly, the adjusted profile was validated by 12 experts in a workshop. Thirdly, this profile was thoroughly discussed by four focus groups of DAs, each composed of eight to nine persons. Transcripts of the validation by experts and discussion with DAs were analysed using content analysis. Finally, the profile was further backed up by literature and member checks (which are done by experts in the field).Findings: The study revealed validated competence profile for Development Agents (DAs) with 4 competence clusters and 15 underlying competencies for the Ethiopian context: knowledge on adult education, extension management, communication, and professional ethics, among others.Practical Implications: DAs' recruitment and selection, performance evaluation, and training programmes can be developed using this new competence profile.Theoretical Implications: This study confirms the context-bound, indivisible, interrelated, and developmental nature of competencies which refutes the behaviouristic-functionalistic conceptualization of them.Originality/value: This contribution is a contextual variation and update of the study of Karbasioun, Mulder, and Biemans. [2007. ‘Towards a Job Competency Profile for Agricultural Extension Instructors: A Survey of Views of Experts.’ Human Resource Development International 10 (2): 137–151] and shows that different contexts of investigating competencies uncover different results.

Assessment of the Impact of Small-Scale Irrigation on Household Livelihood Improvement at Gubalafto District, North Wollo, Ethiopia

Ethiopia has been highly affected by drought and climate-related hazards, and millions of people have been left without sustenance every year. To increase productivity and diversify the livelihood scenarios as an option, small-scale irrigation (SSI) schemes have been introduced.This study assessed the impact of SSI in achieving household livelihood improvement and the major challenges of SSI practices in the Gubalafto district. Questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions, and participant observation data collection tools were used. Proportionally, a total of 374 respondents were included.The collected data was analyzed by descriptive statistics. The application of SSI improved the annual income of irrigator households from 1978.12 to 10,099 Ethiopian Birr (ETB) (1 USD ≈ 20 ETB) before and after using irrigation with a standard deviation of 1534.32 compared to non-irrigators who have an annual average income of 3146.75 ETB with a standard deviation of 1838, respectively. It proved that 32.1% of irrigators increased their frequency of production due to irrigation. Shortage of water, access to improved seeds, marketing, and increment of farm input costs have been hindering SSI practices. Awareness campaigns for non-irrigators and adequate supervision for the irrigators by development agents (DAs) and district officials are important to improve the livelihood of farmers.

Farmers’ perception of soil erosion and participation in soil and water conservation activities in the Gusha Temela watershed, Arsi, Ethiopia

ABSTRACTSoil erosion has been the most chronic problem in the Ethiopian highlands. To reduce this problem, farmers’ genuine participation in soil and water conservation (SWC) and perception about soil erosion and managing using effective and sustainable SWC activities is paramount important. This research was conducted in the Gusha Temela watershed, Arsi, Ethiopia, aiming to investigate the perception and participation of farmers on soil erosion, SWC activities and factors affecting farmers’ decisions to participate in the SWC activities. Questioner survey, interview, focus group discussion and participant observation data collection tools were used. The collected data were analysed by descriptive statistics using SPSS version 17 software. It was found that farmers have perceived the existence of soil erosion problem on their farm land and had good motives to participate in SWC activities. The respondents noted that soil erosion, causes of soil erosion and decline in productivity were the major indicators of soil erosion. Majority of the respondents (76%) participated in conserving soil by their own interest. Large household sizes, adequate labour, old age, high degree of contact with development agents (DAs), willingness to adopt new SWC technologies and their income source have been the major influencing factors for participating in SWC activities. Extension services enhanced farmers’ confidence in SWC activities and encouraged them to take possible risks associated with the initiatives. This implies that initiatives should be supported by appropriate extension services. Farmers who are highly engaged in off-farm economic activities and their land source by rent showed less participation in SWC activities mainly because of the preoccupation to earn additional income for their livelihoods. Thus, appropriate incentive mechanisms should be implemented for those engaged in off-farm activities to compensate them for the time and labour they spent in SWC activities. It was also suggested that the land policy should address the tenure security, particularly for those who are working in sharecropping and rent arrangements.

Stakeholder linkages for sustainable land management in Dangila woreda, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

This paper presents stakeholder types involved in sustainable land management (SLM), their interests and interactions in Dangila woreda (district), Amhara Region, as a case study site. Data were collected from April to June 2011 and in October 2012 from a questionnaire survey of 201 rural households and 19 agricultural experts, through observation, and from formal and informal discussions. Results indicate that landholder and landless farmers, women, development agents (DAs), and Rural Kebele Administration (RKA) offices were major stakeholders involved in SLM activities in the study areas. These stakeholders were found having different interests regarding SLM issues. The linkages of farmers with DAs and RKA offices were observed to be strong but farmers’ participation in new technology selection was found to be low. Farmer interactions with Woreda, Zone and Region level experts were observed to be weak focused on top-down planning and upward reporting. Over 47% of experts interviewed in the woreda agriculture office were assigned to perform duties outside of their expertise profession and nearly 36% of them reported that their working environment was not very good and motivating. Greater than 94% of experts assessed indicated their incentives for work to be low. It is argued that enhancing farmer participation in SLM decisions and establishing good and motivating incentives and working environments could improve stakeholder interactions for SLM in the study areas.Key words: Stakeholders; farmer-expert linkages; resource management; Ethiopia

Effectiveness of development agents performances in agricultural technology dissemination: The case of Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Regional State (SNNPRS), Ethiopia

Although the Government of Ethiopia has developed a grand Five-Year Growth and Transformation Plan (FYGTP) for economic development, aspiring to achieve a middle income country status by the year 2025 through a transformation of the economy of the agriculture led industry, the shift of focus in the role of development from agriculture to industrialization has not altered the objective of enhancing agricultural production and productivity. To this end, the agricultural extension service which is determined by its institutional effectiveness and competency of the development agents (DAs) at field has pivotal role to derive the transformation process. This study was based on data collected from 108 DAs in SNNPR from 12 Woredas using structured questionnaire. Results indicated that manmade and natural factors are affecting the DAs effectiveness on their job performance. The challenges were found to have three categories, namely DAs capacity based challenges, farmer based constraints and infrastructure/ service based constraints. On the job training that would build the knowledge, skill and commitment level of the expertise and improve the working environment of DAs including availability of logistics, incentives in kind and promotion is recommended. Key words: Development agent, effectiveness, performance, technology dissemination.

Ad-sig-TAA/CD40L Vector Prime-TAA/CD40L Protein Boost Vaccine for Epithelial Neoplasms

s: Abstracts for the 20th Annual Scientific Meeting of the International Society for Biological Therapy of Cancer (Primary Authors are Italicized): NEW AGENTS IN DEVELOPMENT

Validation of the Biological Assay to Assess Potency of L-MTP-PE (Junovan???), A Macrophage Activator

s: Abstracts for the 20th Annual Scientific Meeting of the International Society for Biological Therapy of Cancer (Primary Authors are Italicized): NEW AGENTS IN DEVELOPMENT