Number Of Oxen Research Articles

Marketing channels, dynamics and economic incentives for onion production in Ethiopia: A case study from Oromiya Regional State, Ethiopia

This research was initiated to assess the market channels and develops value chain map and econometric model outputs for the onion in Ambo and Toke Kutaye districts of West Showa Zone, Oromiya Regional State, Ethiopia. Primary data were collected using interview guided questionnaires from 183 respondents’ of different actors in onion value chain and four focus group discussions of onion producers. Descriptive and inferential statistics; value chain mapping; marketing margin analysis; and econometrics analysis were used to analyze the data. About four marketing channels were identified in the study areas. The econometric result showed that education level of household, onion farming experience, number of oxen owned, land size used for onion farming, amount of fertilizer used, access to extension services and family size of house hold were variables those significantly influenced the marketable supply of onion at farmers level. Multiple linear regression model indicated that variables like age, farm experience, family size, selling price and improved inputs were significant in affecting onion marketable supply. Thus, to increase the onion productivity, market channel and performances of all actors to maximize the profits of all value chain actors, it is important to integrate all concerned bodies of the onion value chains along with the supporting sectors.

Level and Determinants of Food Security in North Wollo Zone (Amhara Region – Ethiopia)

This paper examines the Determinants of food security in North Wollo Zone. Primary data from 335 households were collected from 16 kebeles of the zone. We used multistage sampling technique, and questionnaire and FGD were used to collect primary data. Both descriptive and econometric method of analysis were used. For econometric analysis, a logistic regression procedure was employed on household socio-economic cross-sectional data collected in 2016 (April and May). Of the fifteen variables fitted in the model; the age of household head, dependency ratio, average monthly expenditure, non-farm income, family size, distance from input market, farmland size, the number of oxen and livestock ownership were found to be significant. About 42 percent of the sample households were measured to be food insecure. Also, the incidence of food insecurity, food insecurity gap, and severity of food insecurity was 42, 14 and 7 percent respectively. These results have important policy implications for the expansion of non-farm activities and the introduction of livestock stocking programs at the household level to improve the food security status of households.

Impacts of credit constraint on small holder farmer’s technology adoption in Ethiopia

The study is conducted using a primary data which was collected from 252 randomly selected households found in two woredas (districts) of Gedeo zone with the objective of analysing determinants of smallholder farmers’ participation in the credit market from both demand and supply sides and its implication on agricultural technology adoption and intensity of adoption. Probit and double-hurdle models are employed to analyse the data. Being young, number of oxen and distance to credit market are found to reduce the probability of being credit constrained. Age, number of oxen, family size and technology adoption are found to increase credit demand while land size, tropical livestock unit and distance to credit market have negative (unexpected) signs. In the double-hurdle model estimation while credit market participation, being literate, being young and livestock holdings are found to determine the probability of technology adoption positively having oxen, being credit constrained and far from input market affected probability of technology adoption negatively. In the last estimation, education, land size and livestock holdings turned out to affect intensity of adoption positively while number of oxen and distance to input market are found to reduce expenditure of farm technology.

English

Livelihoods of the rural people of Ethiopia depend on agriculture. However, erratic nature of rain and prevalence of drought in the country make agricultural production a challenge. To counter this problem, use of the available water resource for irrigation development is the most promising option. Ketar small scale irrigation scheme is found in Ketar-Genet Peasant association, Tiyo District, Arsi zone, established with the aim of improving level of income and food security of beneficiary households. Nevertheless, no previous study was conducted on the contribution of the scheme to income and food security of households. Thus, this study was conducted with the objective to investigate the contribution of small-scale irrigation to rural household income and food security. The required data set for the study were gathered primarily through survey method from 130 randomly selected sample households both from irrigation users and non-users (65 each). Structured interview was used as data collection method. Both descriptive and inferential statistical methods were used to analyze the required data. Results of the study revealed that, income from irrigated vegetable crops contributed for 21.38% of the total annual crop income for the irrigation users; irrigation users were in better position in terms of livestock (7.58 to 4.38 TLU) and oxen ownership (1.78 to 1.12 TLU); participation in credit (52 to 23%) and the use of extension advisory services. Results of the logit model indicated that age of household head, education level of household head, size of the cultivated land, number of oxen, livestock holding (TLU), income from livestock and irrigation found to be influencing household food security at 1, 5, and 10% significant levels. In general, the empirical analysis confirms that small-scale irrigation development would have positive impact on income and food security of beneficiary households. Thus, the concerned development partners being governmental or non-governmental should join hands to promote the development of such small scale irrigation schemes. Key Words: Small-scale irrigation, food security, agricultural production.

Adoption and Intensity of Row-Seeding (Case of Wolaita Zone)

In the context of Ethiopia, agriculture and specifically crop production take lion’s contribution, supporting the sector through introducing new agricultural technologies, like row planting in the recent times, boosts production. However, despite of such services, utilization of improved technologies remained low in Ethiopia. This study looks into the determinants of adoption and intensity of adoption of row planting using a survey data of 300 farming households in Wolaita zone. The survey indicates that about 87 percent of farmers adopt row planting in 2014/15 production year with mean intensity of use 2.33 Timad (about 56% of their total farm land). A dependent double hurdle analysis reveals that household being headed by Illiterate head, family size, Farm size, Annual off-farm income, Distance to nearest market and Training on row planting significantly influenced adoption and level of adoption of row planting. Moreover, adoption of row planting is significantly affected by Farming experience, No of information sources and Distance to Development Agent whereas level of adoption of row planting by livestock and Number of oxen. The study then concludes that the farmers’ adoption and level of adoption of row planting could be improved by raising farm household’s education, their off farm income, their endowment and by making them optimally mobilize their labor for agricultural activities and receive extension service. As a result, the study recommends local governments to work towards intensifying informal education to farming households in the study area, raising effort of investment to improve market access and enhancing agricultural extension services to farmers.

Marketing system analysis of vegetables and fruits in Amhara Regional State: survey evidence from Raya Kobo and Harbu Woredas

This study attempted to analyze the different aspects of marketing system of vegetable and fruit in Raya Kobo and Harbu woredas, Amhara regional state using different indicators. Probit estimation for determinant of participation probability in vegetable and fruit production and OLS estimation technique were also applied for examining determinants of market supply and demand for vegetable and fruit products. Accordingly, the results showed that lack of genuine and timely market information, poor institutions and arrangements, poor marketing infrastructures (poor storage, cool chain facilities, packaging, weak pre and post harvest handling practices, non scientific grading and standard, etc), long market channel, high and unfair profit margin distribution among the value chain actors with little share to the farmers were observed in both vegetable and fruit market. These are an indicative of poor marketing efficiency and thereby suboptimal operation of the marketing system. The econometric regression result of this study exhibited almost similar results as previous studies however the determinants were not same for all sample crops (onion, tomato, mango and avocado) rather differs from crop to crop. In general, family size, total size of land, extension service, farmer’s experience, average lagged price, distance from main road and age were found to be significant factors (with expected sign) of production participation in vegetables and fruits . Similarly, average current price, distances from main road, age, total size of land, farmers’ experience, sex, number of oxen, and access to market information were found to be significant determinants of market supply of vegetables and fruits. Finally, family size, purchase frequency, amount of single purchase lot, average current price, income level, average expenditure on food and purchasing, and amount per trip were found to be significant line with expected sign as determinants of demand for vegetables and fruits in the study area. Hence, the results found in this study are clearly an indicative for taking appropriate measures in production side, market infrastructure, arrangements and institutions to improve the inefficient functioning of the marketing system. Keywords: Marketing system, structure, conduct, performance, channel, margin, production participation, market supply, market demand.

Marketing system analysis of vegetables and fruits in Amhara Regional State: survey evidence from Raya Kobo and Harbu Woredas

This study attempted to analyze the different aspects of marketing system of vegetable and fruit in Raya Kobo and Harbu woredas, Amhara regional state using different indicators. Probit estimation for determinant of participation probability in vegetable and fruit production and OLS estimation technique were also applied for examining determinants of market supply and demand for vegetable and fruit products. Accordingly, the results showed that lack of genuine and timely market information, poor institutions and arrangements, poor marketing infrastructures (poor storage, cool chain facilities, packaging, weak pre and post harvest handling practices, non scientific grading and standard, etc), long market channel, high and unfair profit margin distribution among the value chain actors with little share to the farmers were observed in both vegetable and fruit market. These are an indicative of poor marketing efficiency and thereby suboptimal operation of the marketing system. The econometric regression result of this study exhibited almost similar results as previous studies however the determinants were not same for all sample crops (onion, tomato, mango and avocado) rather differs from crop to crop. In general, family size, total size of land, extension service, farmer’s experience, average lagged price, distance from main road and age were found to be significant factors (with expected sign) of production participation in vegetables and fruits . Similarly, average current price, distances from main road, age, total size of land, farmers’ experience, sex, number of oxen, and access to market information were found to be significant determinants of market supply of vegetables and fruits. Finally, family size, purchase frequency, amount of single purchase lot, average current price, income level, average expenditure on food and purchasing, and amount per trip were found to be significant line with expected sign as determinants of demand for vegetables and fruits in the study area. Hence, the results found in this study are clearly an indicative for taking appropriate measures in production side, market infrastructure, arrangements and institutions to improve the inefficient functioning of the marketing system. Keywords: Marketing system, structure, conduct, performance, channel, margin, production participation, market supply, market demand.

Dynamics of Formal Seed Utilization and Use Intensity: Evidence from Wheat Growers in East Gojjam Province, Northwestern Ethiopia

Commercial agriculture is driven by modern agricultural inputs use despite rate of adoption and use intensity is variable. This study investigates the major factors attributed to variation in households’ participation and intensity of formal seed use by taking 4 districts as a case in East Gojjam, Northwestern Ethiopia. A total of 250 farmers were selected using 3 stages random sampling and data were processed with Heckman Two-Stage Model using STATA. The result showed that households participation in formal seed use was significantly affected by wheat land and the number of oxen (positively, P<0.01), farming experience (positively, P<0.1) and age and off-farm income (negatively, P<0.01 and P<0.05 respectively). Similarly, intensity of formal seed utilized was significantly influenced by size of wheat land, number of oxen and frequency of extension services (positively, P<0.01) and sex and family size (positively, P<0.05). The existing seed supply chains are inefficient, seed systems are institutionalized and there are weak initiatives for community based seed systems. Strong extension services, empowering females with financial incentives and encouraging farmer based seed multiplication system can improve farmers’ tendency of improved seed use. Reduction of monopolistic distribution of seeds can lead to sufficient supply and optimum prices.

Dynamics of Formal Seed Utilization and Use Intensity: Evidence from Wheat Growers in East Gojjam Province, North-western Ethiopia

Commercial agriculture is driven by utilization of modern agricultural inputs despite the variable rate of adoption and use intensity. This study investigates the major factors attributed to variation in households’ participation and intensity of formal seed useby taking 4 districts as a case in East Gojjam, Northwestern Ethiopia. A total of 250 farmers were selected following 3 stages and data were processed with Heckman Two-Stage Model using STATA (version 13). The result showed that households participation in formal seed use was significantly affected by land allocated for wheat and the number of oxen (positively, P<0.01), farming experience (positively, P<0.1) and age and off-farm income (negatively, P<0.01 and P<0.05 respectively). Similarly, intensity of formal seed utilized was significantly influenced by size of wheat land, number of oxen and frequency of extension services (positively, P<0.01) and sex and family size (positively, P<0.05). The existing seed supply chains are inefficient, seed systems are institutionalized and there are weak initiatives for community based seed systems. Strong extension services, empowering females with financial incentives and encouraging farmer based seed multiplication system can improve farmers’ tendency of improved seed use. Rapid intervention on monopolistic distribution of seeds can bring about competitive seed markets which lead to sufficient supply with optimum prices.

Watershed development as community coping strategy for climate change impacts in north central highlands of Ethiopia

The impacts of watershed development on various indicators pertaining to biophysical environment are very high as a coping strategy to climate change related hazards. Among others, the watershed development projects conducted in Amhara National Regional State aimed at improving the biophysical and socioeconomic conditions of the area. In addition to the biophysical parameters, a total sample of 240 households from six model watersheds was selected randomly. Accordingly, about 58% of the total sample watershed areas were covered with soil and water conservation works, whereas the project impacts on the socioeconomic aspects were low to moderate in the majority of the cases. The average livestock ownership in number of oxen and total livestock unit by 2006 was found to be 1.76 and 4.70, respectively. This was found to be 1.59 and 4.73 for 2011, respectively. Similarly, the statistical t-test for both of them is statistically insignificant at 95% level of confidence. This indicates that biophysical impacts are more prominent when compared to economic impacts.

The Impact of Small – Scale Irrigation on Income of Rural Farm Households: Evidence from Ahferom Woreda in Tigray, Ethiopia

Background: Small scale irrigation is an important strategy in reducing risks associated with rainfall variability and increasing income of rural farm -households. Objective: To examine the impact of small-scale irrigation on income of rural farm households. It also presents the problems and challenges in use of small scale irrigation. Methods: A cross-sectional data obtained using a sample of 200 respondents selected through multi-stage random sampling techniques from three Tabiyas in Woreda Ahferom in central Tigray, Ethiopia in 2013/2014 cropping year. The data were analyzed using Heckman treatment effect two-step model. Result: The Probit estimation shows that Household head with social leadership, access to extension, and availability of irrigable land, number of oxen and family size have significant and positive effect whereas the family size square and distant to the nearest market restrains participation in small scale irrigation. The ordinary least square using household income as outcome variable reveals that Tropical Livestock Unit, participation in small scale irrigation and land size has significant positive effect on household income. Conclusion and recommendation: The study pointed out that loss of water, pests and diseases are the most common challenges in using small scale irrigation. Administration body and other concerned body should work the best on the quality, expansion and distribution of small scale irrigation by solving or at least mitigating the challenges face in using small scale irrigation.

Determinants of Household Food Security among Southwest Ethiopia Rural Households

Aim of this study was to analyze determinants of household food security in Mana woreda of Jimma zone. As a specific objective, this study assessed food security status, identified determinants of food security and analyzed range of coping strategies practiced by food insecure households in the study area. Purposive sampling technique was used to select both Jimma Zone and Mana woreda. For this study a total of 70 households were selected randomly followed by probability proportional to sampling technique from two kebeles'. Both primary and secondary data were collected for this study. Primary data were collected by direct interview of sample respondents; whereas, secondary data were also collected from published and unpublished documents. Household caloric acquisition was employed to measure household food security in the study area. The collected data were analyzed by SPSS version 16.0. Regression model was used to reveal the effect of different variables on household food security. Accordingly, 42.9% and 57.1% households were found to be food insecure food secure respectively. Out of nine explanatory variables, educational status of household head, family size, use of farm input and number of oxen owned by households were found to be significant at less than 10% probability level. Sale of livestock, borrow grains and cash from relative and reduce size of meal were identified at initial stage as first, second and third choice ;whereas, escaping of meal, ate less preferred food and reduce size of meal were also identified at severe stage as first, second and third choice in which food insecure households practiced during food shortage. To improve household food security, the farmer should use their oxen for cultivation purpose, use family planning and allocate their income for all expenditure; and the woreda education office together with minister of education should provide adult learning program to reduce illiteracy.

The late-medieval crisis quantified

The article aims to assess the size of secular taxes in medieval Sweden in real terms. The size of taxes is calculated as the quantity of butter and the number of oxen that could be bought for a given tax sum. In addition, nominal taxes are converted into grams of silver. Three distinctive periods are discerned: (1) a phase of low taxes 1320–1363; (2) a period of very high taxes from 1363 up to the Engelbrekt uprising in 1434; and (3) a new phase of low taxes up to the mid-16th century. A study of taxes at the regional and national levels makes it possible to evaluate the weight of the main regions of the kingdom (including Finland) in the central fiscal system at the end of the medieval era. A national overview of the situation around 1530 is put forward. During the period of high fiscal pressure in Sweden in the decades around 1400, taxes per taxpayer were much higher than those of England. In the low-tax periods, on the other hand, taxes were insufficient to create a working monopoly of violence. The result was drawn-out conflict between warlords for a large part of the 15th century and well into the 16th century.

Matching Extension Service with Farmers' Needs: Towards Combining Social and Agro-Ecological Approaches in Ethiopian Extension

An extension service grounded in the social, economic and ecological realities of the farming family and the farm can better target its programs to meet farmers' needs. In this study 305 farm households, from two districts of north-central Ethiopia are used as a case study, to examine key socio-economic and ecological indicators that affect effective use of extension services. Data was collected using the household questionnaire method and analysed using univariate statistical methods to see factors that impact effective use of extension inputs. Of the seven variables selected for analysis, plot topography (TOPGRAPH, p &lt; 0.000), holding size (HOLDSIZE, p &lt; 0.006) and number of oxen owned (OXOWN, p &lt; 0.006) were significantly correlated with the amount of fertilizer use. In other words, those fertilizer-using respondents with flat topography, manageable size of land and a pair of oxen were able to use more fertilizers. For an effective extension service, three approaches are necessary: agro-ecology sensitive extension, need-driven extension service and effective use of indigenous farming knowledge. The three are complementary and provide an integrated extension approach at the local level.

Maize production efficiency in the Arsi Negele farming zone of Ethiopia : a gender perspective

The purpose of the study was to identify the major factors influencing the maize production of male-headed and female-headed households. The behavioural analysis and intervention model developed by Dvel, (1975, 1991) was used as the conceptual basis to guide the investigation, which involved a random sample of 120 male and 33 female heads of households. The differences in adoption behaviour can be attributed primarily to differences in the knowledge level and perceived production efficiency, which are closely associated with gender. The effect of gender becomes manifested in significant differences in education, draught power (number of oxen), and access to extension and to credit. South African Journal of Agricultural Extension Vol.32 2003: 60-72

Kinship-based resource sharing in the agrarian economy of frontier Slavonia, 1698: Evidence from an early census

The limiting factor of grain cultivation in frontier Slavonia was the number of oxen. Having oxen in the kinship network increased grain cultivation, but having oxen simply in the neighborhood did not. Exchanging oxen was more important than exchanging human labor. The marginal productivity of oxen declines more slowly than that of workers. There were constant returns to scale in a non-intensive unsophisticated autarkic agricultural economy. Grain production could be increased only by increasing the amount of land cultivated. Land area functioned as a major determinant of fertility. There was no incentive to control fertility as long as land was abundant and there were no declining returns to marginal land. Eventually, land became scarce and more difficult to cultivate. The census of 1698 sets the economic stage for a Malthusian response to scarcity—autarkic economic units that internalized all costs of childbearing and achieved efficiencies only in the exchange of capital (oxen).

Algorithm for the simulation of bare sandy soil evaporation and its application for the assessment of planted areas in Botswana

Soil moisture observations on a bare sandy soil plot conducted at Gaborone Meteorological Station (Botswana), resulted in the proposal of an equation for the simulation of evaporation from the bare sandy soil. The equation combines the number of days after a significant rain, reference potential evapotranspiration and the ratio actual/maximum soil moisture reserve in one single algorithm. A statistical approach was then used to validate the algorithm for possible different soil characteristics and to relate it to 1977/1978–1985/1986 total planted areas in five different regions, representing approximately 99% of Botswana's average total traditional planted area. It was found that the validated model, in combination with a positive time trend, accounts for more than 92% of the interannual variability of the total traditional planted area in four out of the five regions. However, in a fifth region, the number of oxen and their condition also has to be taken into account. On a national scale, the model accounts for more than 95% of the 1977/1978–1985/1986 interannual variability of the total planted area. Tests of accuracy and precision show that the model can be used for acceptable quantitative estimates of planted area on a subnational scale and for precise and accurate estimates on a national scale.