Lowland Agro-ecological Zones Research Articles

Spatiotemporal trends and variability of rainfall across agro-ecologies in East Guji Zone, Southeast Ethiopia

Distribution and trends of rainfall reveal spatial and temporal variability that have a paramount effect on the life and livelihood of small-holder farmers. This study aimed to analyze spatial variability and temporal trends of rainfall distribution across the three Agro-Ecological Zones (AEZs) of East Guji. Time series gridded daily rainfall data (1990–2020) were collected from the Ethiopian Meteorological Institution. Different descriptive statistics, trend tests: Man Kendal and Sen’s slope estimator, Inverse Distance Weighted Index and Precipitation Concentration Index (PCI) was used in the study. The finding demonstrated that altitude and rainfall decrease as one advances from the western (highland) to the eastern (lowland) direction in the study area where the highest rainfall was recorded in Solemo (highland) and the least in Negele (lowland).The study showed that as altitude increases annual rainfall also increases and rainfall variability decreases. Similarly the mean length of the growing season declines as one advance from the highlands to the lowlands. The PCI of the lowlands, midlands, and highlands AEZs was 19%, 17%, and 12% respectively. The PCI showed that those highlands had moderately concentrated rainfall but both lowlands, and midlands, had an irregular distribution of rainfall. The Coefficient of Variation (CV) indicated that highland areas had moderate variability in rainfall in all seasons except winter. In contrast, the low and midlands had shown high variability of rainfall (>30%) in all seasons. From a seasonal perspective, both CV and PCI revealed that the winter season showed more variability than others. Moreover, a significant increasing trend of annual rainfall was observed in the highlands AEZs (Bore 15.3mm/year and Solemo14.6mm/year), lowland AEZs (Chembe 10.9mm/year, Dawa 8mm/year and Bitata 7.8mm/year) as well as midland AEZs (Kercha 14.5mm/year) at a significant level of 5%. Therefore, strategies should be designed to use additional water resources for irrigation; and provide short-cycle grown and drought-resistant crops in the rest of the midlands and lowlands AEZs.

Vulnerability of local farmers’ livelihood to climate variability across different agro ecology zone in Suha watershed, Upper Blue Nile basin, Ethiopia

ABSTRACT Ethiopia is frequently mentioned as highly vulnerable to climate variability due to its climate-sensitive agricultural sector. As a result, this study aimed to examine farmers’ vulnerability across the various agroecological zones (AEZs) in the Suha watershed based on survey data from 384 respondents. A considerable difference in the two-measurement index, livelihood vulnerability index and IPCC vulnerability index, was seen across the selected agro-ecological zones. The lowland AEZ was more exposed, had a lower adaptive capacity, and was more vulnerable than the mid/high AEZ. This was confirmed by the LVI-IPCC analysis result, which was found as −0.07, 0.03 and 0.18 for midland, highland and lowland AEZs, respectively. The variation is associated with the difference in agro-ecological and socio-economic factors of the respondents. The results suggested that building well firmed adaptation strategies based on agro-ecological scenarios are vital to reduce the vulnerability of smallholder farmers. Further, understanding the physical and climatic diversity of each agro-ecological zone enables us to identify the appropriate requirements to adapt and minimize the vulnerability of smallholders’ livelihood. In the meantime, adaptation measure based on the above index can be applicable at local area since the appraisal takes farmers’ perception about climate variability into consideration.

Factors Affecting Adoption of Climate Change Adaptation Strategies by Small Holder Farmers in Mountain and Lowland Agro-ecological Zones of Eastern Uganda

Farmers in tropical rural areas are confronted with several challenges but outstandingly climate change which can only be overcome by adopting to climate change resilience strategies. This study assessed the factors affecting adoption of climate change resilience strategies in Muyembe sub-county, Bulambuli district, Uganda. We used questionnaires, interviews, focused group discussions and field observations to collect the required data, which was analyzed using basic descriptive statistics and logistic regression model. Results indicate that, the dominant climate change resilience strategies adopted in the study were, soil/water conservation (65%), drought resistant crop varieties (59.4%), and irrigation (55.6). Results of the logistic regression indicated that, gender and family size were the most important factors that influenced adoption of climate change resilience strategies with coefficient -0.86 and P0.05, and0.18 and P0.05 respectively. On the other hand, the barriers to adoption of the same by majority farmers were dominated by financial constraints and adulteration of farm inputs at 93.4% and 74% respectively. We concluded that, many farmers are still locked in indigenous practices that have made them vulnerable to climate change effects characterized by low yields, crop failure hence low incomes, poverty and food insecurity. We recommended that, government should support the adaptation strategies to climate change by the smallholder farmers technically by providing both ground and surface water irrigation facilities and financially by providing agricultural loans as well as focusing on promoting awareness and advancing education on climate change to farmers through knowledge and skill sharing platforms such as training, conferences, and seminars.

Aflatoxin exposure among children of age 12–59 Months in Butajira District, South-Central Ethiopia: a community based cross-sectional study

BackgroundThe continued provision of safe food, free of aflatoxin remains a huge challenge in developing countries. Despite several favourable climatic conditions that facilitate aflatoxin contamination in Ethiopia, there is little information showing aflatoxin exposure in children. Therefore, this study assessed aflatoxin exposure among young children in Butajira district, South-Central Ethiopia.MethodsCommunity based cross-sectional study stratified by agro-ecology was employed in Health and Demographic Surveillance Site (HDSS) of Butajira. The study included 332 children aged 12–59 months and were selected by simple random sampling technique using the HDSS registration number as a sampling frame. We collected data on dietary practice and aflatoxin exposure. Aflatoxin M1 concentration in urine was measured by Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The data analysis was carried out using STATA.ResultsDetectable urinary Aflatoxin M1 was found in 62.4% (95% CI: 56.9 – 67.5%) of the children at a level ranging from 0.15 to 0.4 ng/ml. Children living in lowland agro-ecological zone had [AOR = 2.11 (95% CI; 1.15, 3.88] odds of being exposed to aflatoxin as compared to children living in highland agro-ecological zone. Children at lower socio-economic status [AOR = 0.27 (95% CI; 0.14, 0.50] and medium socio-economic status [AOR = 0.47 (95% CI; 0.25, 0.87] had 73% and 53% lower odds of being exposed to aflatoxin as compared to children in the higher socio-economic status, respectively.ConclusionsAflatoxin exposure among young children was very high in South-Central Ethiopia. This high aflatoxin exposure might emphasize the need for aflatoxin exposure mitigation strategies in Ethiopia. Especially, raising awareness of the community towards aflatoxin exposure is very crucial. In addition, further research is required to assess long-term aflatoxin exposure and its association with child growth and development.

Determinant Factor of Plant Species Diversity in the Organic Agriculture-Dominated System of Gedeo Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Agricultural intensification is a major challenge for biodiversity conservation in many parts of the world. Organic agriculture is perceived as a possible solution for biodiversity conservation in agriculture dominant systems. This study aimed at investigating the current status of plant species diversity and its determinants in organic agriculture-dominated areas of Gedeo zone, Southern Ethiopia. Multistage sampling procedures were used to obtain 108 households from three agroecological zones of the study area, and plant species data were collected from the quadrants laid in farms of sampled farmers. Besides, diversity management practice data were collected using focus group discussion. A total of 234 plant species belonging to 82 plant families were identified. Most (69.2%) of species in the system were native. The mean value of richness and Shannon index evenness for the whole system was 10.36, 2.06, and 0.89 for highland midland and lowland agroecological zones, respectively, which is relatively high compared with other agriculture-dominated systems in the tropics. The diversity of overall plant species were significantly affected by both agroecological zones and the wealth status of farmers. Midland and lowland agroecological zones had the highest richness values for total plant species than highland. Similarly, highest richness was recorded among farmers of rich and medium wealth classes than poor. The diversity of tree species was significantly affected by both agroecological zone and wealth status of farmer households. The lowland agroecological zone had a significantly higher number of tree species than midland and lowland agroecological zones, while the rich farmer had higher tree diversity compared to medium and poor farmers. The study also identified that diversity of shrubs were significantly influenced by agroecological zone. The midland agroecological had a significantly higher number of shrubs diversity compared to lowland and highland agroecological zones. In this study, herbaceous species diversity was not influenced by both agroecological zone and farmer wealth class. The function of plant species and indigenous plant species maintenance practice had its own effect on plant species diversity in the study area, since the area is dominated with organic agriculture. Therefore, to maintain the current status of the system and to improve the farmer’s livelihood, development planners may need to design agroecological-based plant species conservation strategies that give due consideration for indigenous plant species conservation practices and function of plant species.

Analysis of Smallholders’ Livelihood Vulnerability to Drought across Agroecology and Farm Typology in the Upper Awash Sub-Basin, Ethiopia

Assessing the magnitude of smallholder farmers’ livelihood vulnerability to drought is an initial step in identifying the causal factors and proposing interventions that mitigate the impacts of drought. This study aimed to assess smallholders’ livelihood vulnerability to the drought in the upper Awash sub-basin, Ethiopia. Household (HH) and climate data were used for indicators related to sensitivity, exposure, and adaptive capacity that define vulnerability to drought. The vulnerability of farmers’ livelihood to drought was compared among the studies agroecological zone (AEZ) and farm typologies. The result illustrated a diverse magnitude of vulnerability index (VI) ranging from −1.956 to −4.253 for AEZ. The highest magnitude of VI was estimated for livelihood in the lowland AEZ, while the lowest magnitude of VI was estimated in midland AEZ. This could be accounted for by the fact that lowland farmers shown the highest exposure (0.432) and sensitivity (0.420) and the lowest adaptive capacity (0.288). A closer look at farmers’ livelihood typology, in each of the AEZ, showed substantial diversity of farmers’ livelihood vulnerability to drought, implying potential aggregations at AEZ. Accordingly, the vulnerability index for livestock and on-farm-income-based livelihood and marginal and off-farm-income-based livelihood typologies were higher than the intensive-irrigation-farming-based smallholders’ livelihood typology. Based on the result, we concluded that procedures for smallholders’ livelihood resilience-building efforts should better target AEZ to prioritize the focus region and farmers’ livelihood typology to tailor technologies to farms. Although the result emphasizes the importance of irrigation-based livelihood strategy, the overall enhancement of farmers adaptive capacity needs to focus on action areas such as reducing the sensitivity and exposure of the households, improving farmers usage of technologies, diversify farmers’ livelihood options, and, hence, long-term wealth accumulation to strengthen farmers’ adaptive capacity toward drought impacts.

Runoff irrigation practices and challenges in western lowlands of Eritrea

Introduction. The arid and semi-desert lowland agro-ecological zones of Eritrea experience lowprecipitation, much lower than the requirements forrobust agricultural production unless supplemented by properly functioning runoff irrigation systems. However, an in-depth understandingof the principles and practices of runoff irrigation, identification of itspotentials and challengesand come up with viable solutions is necessary.
 
 Materials and methods. Qualitative and quantitative, descriptive and analytical research methodologies are applied. Primary and secondary data are used to identify existing constraints. Besides, global and regional databases are extensively utilized to fill information gaps.
 
 Results. The total potential cultivable land of Eritrea amounts to 2.1 million ha, out of which 71.4 % is rainfed and 28.6 % is irrigation. But, the potential irrigable land as reported by FAO is much lower (187,500 ha), out of which 50,000 ha is within the Western Lowlands. Considering such disparities and the less likely scenario of lowest irrigation potential, the actual equipped for spate irrigation at national level would amount to only 33.6 %, meaning there are still a lot of possibilities for expansion. The causes of malfunctioning of the existing systems are associated to structural, operation and maintenance, and management. Lack of historical hydrological data is among the highly likely reasons, which in turn greatly affects hydrological simulations.
 
 Conclusions. Despitecommendable efforts made to expand the improved runoff irrigation in the Western Lowlands, most of the projectshavefailed to achieve the intended purposes. Thus, comprehensive and simple mathematical modelsfor ma­king hydrological predictions have been suggested.

Disentangling Ethiopian Honey Bee (Apis mellifera) Populations Based on Standard Morphometric and Genetic Analyses.

Simple SummaryWe conducted this population study of Ethiopian honey bees, using morphometric and genetic methods, to decipher their controversial classification. These honey bees are highly diverse and showed differentiation based on size and genetic information according to prevailing agro-ecological conditions, demonstrating morphological and molecular signatures of local adaptation. The results of both morphometric and genetic analyses suggest that Ethiopian honey bees differ from populations in the neighboring geographic regions and are characterized by extensive gene flow within the country, enhanced by honey bee colony trade. Consequently, future research that includes studying traits of vitality, behavior and colony performance of honey bees in remaining pocket areas of highland agro-ecological zones could contribute to the development of appropriate conservation management.The diversity and local differentiation of honey bees are subjects of broad general interest. In particular, the classification of Ethiopian honey bees has been a subject of debate for decades. Here, we conducted an integrated analysis based on classical morphometrics and a putative nuclear marker (denoted r7-frag) for elevational adaptation to classify and characterize these honey bees. Therefore, 660 worker bees were collected out of 66 colonies from highland, midland and lowland agro-ecological zones (AEZs) and were analyzed in reference to populations from neighboring countries. Multivariate morphometric analyses show that our Ethiopian samples are separate from Apis mellifera scutellata, A. m. jemenitica, A. m. litorea and A. m. monticola, but are closely related to A. m. simensis reference. Linear discriminant analysis showed differentiation according to AEZs in the form of highland, midland and lowland ecotypes. Moreover, size was positively correlated with elevation. Similarly, our Ethiopian samples were differentiated from A. m. monticola and A. m. scutellata based on r7-frag. There was a low tendency towards genetic differentiation between the Ethiopian samples, likely impacted by increased gene flow. However, the differentiation slightly increased with increasing elevational differences, demonstrated by the highland bees that showed higher differentiation from the lowland bees (FST = 0.024) compared to the midland bees (FST = 0.015). An allelic length polymorphism was detected (denoted as d) within r7-frag, showing a patterned distribution strongly associated with AEZ (X2 = 11.84, p < 0.01) and found predominantly in highland and midland bees of some pocket areas. In conclusion, the Ethiopian honey bees represented in this study are characterized by high gene flow that suppresses differentiation.

Common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) root rot in humid lowland: Occurrence, and assessment of biotic and agronomic factors for mitigation prospects

Biotic and abiotic constraints jeopardize the expansion of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) cultivation to the Cameroon warmer lowlands. The crop is traditionally perceived as a cooler region crop unsuited for the humid tropical areas. We surveyed 78 farmer's fields during the 2015 and 2016 growing seasons, across 7 sub-divisions in the lowland agro-ecological zone of the Centre Region of Cameroon, to document the occurrence of the common bean root rot (BRR) epidemic, the identification of causal pathogens, as well as related agro-ecological variables. We found that BRR occurred in all the surveyed farmer's fields, with disease incidence ranging from 7.4% to 92.4% and disease severity from 3.7 to 9 (On the 1–9 disease rating scale). The disease distribution was closely related to tillage, cropping systems, plant age and variety and physiological status in both seasons. The simple linear regression model and the Pearson correlation revealed significantly negative correlations between the soil pH and phosphorus content, and the disease incidence and severity. Five causative fungal genera were identifies, with varying occurrence: Fusarium spp. (65.4%), Pythium spp. (4.2%), Sclerotium spp. (5.1%), and Macrophomina spp. (8.2%), with Fusarium being the most represented and widespread pathogen irrespective of sampling field and season. Fusarium occurred singly, or in complex with the other pathogenic fungal genera. This study provides clear evidence of high prevalence of BRR disease in the humid lowlands of Cameroon, and suggests deep ploughing and phosphoric fertilizer amendment with basic soil for managing BRR in lowland agro-ecosystems.

Farmers Local Knowledge on Niche Selection, Management Strategies and Uses of &amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Cordia africana&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt; Tree in Agroforestry Practices of Sidama Zone, Southern Ethiopia

In Ethiopia Cordia africana is one of the indigenous multipurpose tree species which is being endangered and suffering a lot from overexploitation. Agroforestry is taken as potential ecosystem for counteracting indigenous multipurpose trees species extinction through providing complementary habitat for such species. In Sidama zone of south Ethiopia, farmers deliberately integrate and manage C. africana tree by using their own indigenous knowledge for both its productive and protective functions. However, comprehensive study has not been undertaken to assess and document the local knowledge associated with C. africana tree. Thus, study was designed to assess local knowledge of farmers on niche selection, management practices and uses of C. africana tree in agroforestry practices of Sidama zone. To do so household survey, key informants’ interview and focus group discussions were undertaken to generate the necessary data. A total of 126 sample respondents were randomly selected based on wealth category. In addition to this, about 72 sample households were considered for tree inventory purpose. The inventory was done in the niches of Coffee-Enset tree based, Coffee tree based and Enset-tree based homegarden agroforestry practice. Data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Results obtained from the study show that, mean number of stems of tree is found to be significantly higher (p<0.05) in Enset- tree based niche of homegarden agroforestry followed by Coffee-tree based niche. The finding also shows that mean basal area of tree in Enset-tree based niche was significantly (p<0.05) higher of the remaining niches of agroforestry practices over both the midland and lowland agroecological zones. The commonly management practices employed for C. africana by the local farmers were branch pruning (80.6% and 73.2%), coppicing (32.2% and 42.8%) and pollarding (33.8% and 19.6%) in midland and lowland agroecology, respectively. Farmers also have profound knowledge on uses of C. africana tree. From the reported uses; timber production, soil improvement, household utensils, shade and cash generation are the major ones as these could be also vary over age, size and parts of the species to be used. Finally, the study has suggested that, for a conclusive recommendation the effect of C. africana tree on coffee-Enset yield and yield component needs to be further investigated.

Livelihood vulnerability to climate variability and change in different agroecological zones of Gurage Administrative Zone, Ethiopia

IntroductionClimate change and related extreme events are negatively affecting agricultural production where millions of smallholder farmers depend up on it. Ethiopian rain-fed agriculture system is becoming more vulnerable to the impacts of climate change. Identification of difference in the level of vulnerability of a system is important in selecting appropriate and effective adaption options to climate change. Thus, this study examined the vulnerability of farm household's livelihood to climate variability and change in different agroecological zones of Gurage Zone using the Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) and Livelihood Vulnerability Index–Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (LVI–IPCC) methods. Data were collected from a representative of 357 sample households across three agroecological zones using a mixture of participatory methods. ResultsResults suggested that although there was difference in components relative value across agroecological zones, the overall LVI indicate that Sodo woreda (District) which is found in the lowland agroecological zone was more vulnerable to climate variability and change. This study found that vulnerability differences were attributable to variations in household characteristics, lack of access to infrastructure, low level of livelihood diversification, and lack of available technologies. ConclusionsTherefore, this study calls for stakeholders to prepare context-specific intervention to reduce smallholder farmer's vulnerability to climate variability and change and strengthen the adaptive capacity of farm households.

Contribution of exotic chicken breeds to dietary diversity of the rural households in Ethiopia

The study was conducted in midland and lowland agro-ecological zone of North western zone of Tigray, Ethiopia. Two districts were selected purposively based on their potential exotic chicken breed production. Out of the total chicken producers in the study area 264 farmers, 132 from each of the two districts were selected randomly using systematic random sampling methods. It was conducted in cross sectional survey data from 264 respondents in 2016. Its aim was to assess the contribution of producing exotic chicken to dietary diversity of the rural households with 24 hours recall method. The study examines the study area is characterized in a low dietary diversity mainly defined by starchy staples (grains, condiments, oil or fats) at the expense of protein sources (meat, fish, fruits, vegetables, eggs). The result also indicates that there is a higher probability of the exotic chicken producers groups to move from a medium dietary diversity status to a high dietary diversity status as compared with indigenous chicken producers. Based on the study result, there is possibility to improve dietary diversity and income of the households through introduction and dissemination of exotic chicken breeds to rural households. Hence, governmental and non-governmental organizations should help in intervention of exotic chicken breed to the farm households by giving different incentives.

Impact of Remittance on Rural Household’s Welfare: Evidence from North Wollo Zone, Gubalafto Woreda in Amhara Regional State, Using IV-Estimation Technique

The ultimate objectives of this paper intended to estimate the impact of remittance income on household’s welfare using the household level cross sectional data. The study controls for various household characteristics, asset-holding variables, institutional, village level infrastructural variables as well as endogeniety problems using IV estimation. The results indicate that remittances positively and significantly affect household level consumption expenditure. Household characteristics particularly family size, participation on wage employment, distance to the main market and lowland agro ecological zone affect welfare status and access to extension service affects the welfare status positively and significantly. On the other hand, oxen, land size, non-livestock asset, participation on own business, access to credit and access to extension service have positive and significant effect on the household’s welfare status.

Farmers Cognition, Practices and Attitudes toward Low External Input Farming Technology and Farm Productivity under Lowland Agroecological Zone

Farmers Cognition, Practices and Attitudes toward Low External Input Farming Technology and Farm Productivity under Lowland Agroecological Zone

Anemia and undernutrition among children aged 6-23 months in two agroecological zones of rural Ethiopia.

BackgroundChild malnutrition during the first 1,000 days, commencing at conception, can have lifetime consequences. This study assesses the prevalence of anemia and undernutrition among children aged 6–23 months in midland and lowland agroecological zones of rural Ethiopia.MethodsCross-sectional data examining sociodemographic, anthropometry, hemoglobin levels, and meal frequency indicators were collected from 216 children aged 6–23 months and their mothers randomly selected from eight rural kebele (villages).ResultsOf 216 children, 53.7% were anemic, and 39.8%, 26.9%, and 11.6% were stunted, underweight, and wasted, respectively. The prevalence of anemia was higher in the lowland agroecological zone (59.5%) than the midland (47.6%). Among those children who were stunted, underweight, and wasted, 63.5%, 66.7%, and 68.0% were anemic, respectively. Child anemia was significantly associated with the child not achieving minimum meal frequency, sickness during the last 2 weeks before the survey, stunting and low body mass index, and with maternal hemoglobin and handwashing behavior. The prevalence of stunting was higher in the lowland agroecological zone (42.3%) than the midland (36.2%). The predictors of stunting were age and sex of the child, not achieving MMF, maternal body mass index, and age. As maternal height increases, the length for age of the children increases (P=0.003).ConclusionThe overall prevalence of anemia and undernutrition among children aged 6–23 months in these study areas is very high. The prevalence was higher in the lowland agro-ecological zone. Health information strategies focusing on both maternal and children nutrition could be sensible approaches to minimize stunting and anemia.

Seasonal variation in nutritional status and anemia among lactating mothers in two agro-ecological zones of rural Ethiopia: A longitudinal study

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to determine seasonal and agro-ecological variations in nutritional status, anemia, and associated factors among lactating women in rural Ethiopia. MethodsWe conducted a longitudinal study with 216 mothers in pre- and postharvest seasons in two agro-ecological zones of rural Ethiopia. We conducted interviews using a structured questionnaire, anthropometric measurements, and blood tests for anemia. We used multivariable linear regression models to identify independent predictors. ResultsThe prevalence of anemia increased from postharvest (21.8%) to preharvest seasons (40.9%). Increases were from 8.6% to 34.4% in midland and from 34.2% to 46.3% in lowland agro-ecological zones. Of the mothers, 15% were anemic during both seasons. The prevalence of undernutrition, assessed using body mass index (BMI) < 18.5 kg/m2, increased from 41.7% to 54.7% between the two seasons. Prevalence of maternal mid upper arm circumferences <22 cm also increased from 43.1% to 55.2% during the preharvest season. The seasonal effect was generally more pronounced in the midland community for all forms of malnutrition. Predictors of anemia were high parity of mother and low dietary diversity. Parity, number of children under the age of 5 y, and regional variation were predictors of low BMI among lactating mothers. ConclusionThe magnitude of malnutrition and anemia was significantly influenced by variations in season and agro-ecological zones. Interventions focused on agro-ecology and seasonal variation should be considered in addition to current strategies to alleviate malnutrition in lactating mothers.

Production performance of local and exotic breeds of chicken at rural household level in Nole Kabba Woreda, Western Wollega, Ethiopia

Production performance of rural chickens was studied in three agro-ecologies of Nole Kabba Woreda of west Wollega zone, about 32, 29 and 31 from mid-highland, highland and lowland agro-ecological zones, respectively and a total of 92 households and 18 key informants were used for the survey work. Finally, all the data collected were subjected to Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS) version 17.0 and SAS (2002). The results obtained revealed that, statistically significant difference between the agro-ecologies in sexual maturity of indigenous chickens as measured by age at first mate (P < 0.05). There was significant difference between local and exotic chickens in rate of egg production (P < 0.05). Mean age at first egg of about 7.02 ± 0.220 and 5.66 ± 0.116 months was calculated for indigenous and exotic pullets, respectively. Overall percent hatchability of 82 and 44.36% was reported from eggs of indigenous and exotic chicken, respectively. In summary the results of this study tends to indicate that improvement in exotic chicken eggs hatchability under scavenging condition seems to be the future direction of research in the Nole Kabba Woreda. Key words: Chicken, indigenous, exotic, household, agro-ecology.

Lice infesting horses in three agroecological zones in central Oromia.

A cross-sectional study was conducted to determine the prevalence and species composition of lice infesting horses in three agroecological zones in seven different districts in central Oromia from November 2011 to April 2012. For this purpose, a total of 420 horses were thoroughly examined for presence of lice. Collected lice were identified to species level under a microscope. The study showed an overall prevalence of 28.8% (121/420) lice infestation on horses. We identified two spp. of lice on horses namely, Bovicola (Werneckiella) equi and Haematopinus asini with an overall prevalence of 22.9% (96/420) and 5.9% (25/420), respectively. The overall prevalence of lice infestation on horses in districts was 48.3, 43.3, 33.3, 23.3, 21.7, 18.3 and 13.3%, in Debre Brehan, Shashemene, Hawassa, Akaki, Adama, Modjo and Bishoftu, respectively. B. equi was encountered as the predominant species on horses in all districts. Higher overall prevalence of lice infestation was recorded in highland agroecology than mid and lowland agroecological zones. Similarly, our study revealed significantly higher overall prevalence of lice on saddle horses than on cart horses. In view of the findings of the present study two species of lice are responsible for health and welfare problems of horses in all the districts. Detailed epidemiological studies on the significance, prevalence and role of lice as vectors of zoonotic pathogens in different agroecological zones, breeds and management systems warrant urgent attention. Animal owners and veterinarians should consider lice control in horses as part of the ectoparasite control in other species of animals.

Assessment of the prevailing handling and quality of eggs from scavenging indigenous chickens reared in different agro-ecological zones of Ethiopia

A survey based experiment was conducted from November 2010 to April 2011 in 196 households to assess egg handling and qualities of scavenging chickens reared in highland, midland and lowland agro-ecological zones of Amhara Regional State, Ethiopia. For egg quality determination, among 196 households, 30 of them who keep only local chickens were identified from each agro-ecology from which 588 eggs (196 eggs from each agro-ecology) were collected. The flock size in highland, midland and lowland agro-ecologies was 8.5, 7.4 and 8.4 chickens, respectively. The results indicated that about 95% and 70% of the respondents fumigate day old chicks with smoke and clip tail feathers, respectively. The average age at first egg lay was 6.94, 6.43 and 6.57 months for highland, midland and lowland agro-ecologies, respectively. The survivability of chickens in highland, midland and lowland agro-ecological zones was 55.0%, 61.4% and 55.1%, respectively. On the average 79.1% hatchability, 58.3% chick survivability was found in the study area. The observed values of egg weight, egg length, egg width, yolk height, albumen height and Haugh unit were significantly (p< 0.05) different between the investigated agro-ecologies. Accordingly, all these traits were (p< 0.05) higher in midland than those of highland and lowland agro-ecological zones. Agro-ecology did not affect shape index, shell thickness, yolk width and yolk index values. The respective average egg weight, shell thickness and shape index values were 39.6 g, 0.296 mm and 73.2%. The average values of yolk height, yolk width and Haugh unit were 16.1 mm, 36.8 mm and 73.2, respectively. In conclusion, the midland agro-ecological system appears to favor the survivability and expression of external and internal egg quality traits of scavenging rural chickens.

Characterization of Chicken Production Practices Followed in Nole Kabba Woreda, Western Wollega, Ethiopia

Survey of production practices of rural chickens was studied in three kebele’s of Nole Kabba woreda of west Wellega Zone. About 30, 33 and 29 households were randomly selected from poor, medium and rich wealth groups, respectively and 32, 29 and 31 from mid-highland, highland and lowland agro-ecological zones, respectively and a total of 92 households and 18 key informants were used. Finally all the data collected were analyzed using statistical package for social science and Statistical Analysis System. The results obtained revealed that, the overall mean flock size per household was 7.37 chickens which are dominated by local ecotypes. There is no purposeful formulated feeding in the study sites and the birds depend on scavenging with provision of supplementary feed and water. There is no separate poultry houses for night enclosure and the chickens spent more of their times on scavenging in the vicinity of human dwellings.