Smallest Administrative Unit Research Articles

The role of Teff crop in Ethiopian life: consumption and contribution to rural livelihoods

Teff (Eragrostis tef) is believed to be the smallest grain in the world. It is the most important crop in Ethiopia in terms of production and consumption. Smallholder farmers produce Teff, and it is the main source of income for farmers in comparison to other cereal crops. Teff is the daily staple food for over 50 million Ethiopians. There is a need for information on agricultural consumption, disaggregated at district level, to support evidence-based decision-making at local level. The objective of this paper is to understand the consumption of Teff among rural smallholder producers at district level and assess the position of Teff among cereals in the lives of Ethiopian rural farmers. The study employed a multistage sampling technique to select the top Teff producing regions, districts, and kebeles (small administrative units) and collected primary data through focus group discussions (FGDs), key informants, and questionnaire respondents. The survey collected qualitative and quantitative data from 357 households. FGD, key informant interview (KII) participants and survey respondents were drawn from the same areas where the survey was conducted. The quantitative and qualitative data were subjected to statistical and content analysis respectively. The study findings revealed that on average households consume 26.92% of their Teff production per year. Moreover, there is a shift in the consumption of Teff which might be due to improved standards of living among the farmers, a health-conscious community, and improved income from Teff sales. Although Teff is a staple grain in Ethiopia, there is a statistically significant variation in Teff consumption among districts.

Natural hazard induced coastal vulnerability in Indian Sundarbans: A village-level study by using geospatial and statistical techniques

The Sundarbans, an area with a history dating back to the dawn of civilization, has faced numerous environmental hazards that have remarkably affected the lives and livelihoods of its natives. Strom surge and Tropical cyclones are the most substantial natural hazards, causing severe damage to local communities by affecting food security, the economy, shelter and health. By defining vulnerability as a function of exposure, sensitivity, and resilience capacity, we calculated a composite vulnerability index (CVI) using equal weight method (EWM) to assess the vulnerability of mouzas (small administrative units) to natural hazards in the Sundarbans, India. The vulnerability map has been drawn based on composite value of CVI which shows 30.50% of villages falling into the high vulnerability category and 12.06% in the very high vulnerability category. The mouza-level analysis also indicates that 22.62% of Sundarbans's villages are highly exposed to natural hazards and 19.70 % of villages are classified as being at Very high sensitive. Only 7.07% villages have very high adopted capacity against these natural hazards. Villages in the southern parts and along the coast were found to be more vulnerable to storm surges. Conversely, those situated at higher elevations in the central area exhibited lower vulnerability. In the northern part of the region, several villages faced high to very high vulnerability due to low-lying, waterlogged wetlands. This study offers vital insights for decision-makers, government planners, and disaster management professionals, assisting in the identification of high-risk populations and areas that require immediate preservation efforts.

Agro-Pastoral Youth Participation in Livelihood Activities, Development Programs and Interventions in East and West Hararghe Zones of Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

This study was conducted to identify the status and determinants of male and female youth participation in selected livelihood activities, development programs and interventions in agro-pastoral areas of Oromia regional state, Ethiopia. A cross-sectional research design and mixed methods research approach were employed. A multi-stage random sampling strategy was followed to select four agro-pastoral Woredas (A ‘Woreda’ is an administrative unit equivalent to a District), 12 Kebeles (A ‘Kebele’ is the smallest administrative unit in Ethiopia. A Woreda/District consists of several Kebeles) and 398 youth aged 15–29 years for a face-to-face interview. Data were analysed through descriptive and inferential statistics and an econometric model (Logistic regression) estimation. We found that whereas male youth had better access to land, participation in extension/advisory services and Farmers’ Training Centers (FTCs), agricultural training, and NGOs, female youth had better participation in non-/off-farm livelihood activities and Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP). Our findings indicated that lack of access to financial resources, limited access to land, poor extension and rural advisory services, limited skills development programs and mentorship were key factors affecting youth participation. Other factors include: targeting criteria, discrimination (e.g. on the basis of gender, social structure), cumbersome organizational procedures and requirements, limited availability and capacity of supporting organizations, poor infrastructural developments, mismatch between needs and services provided, conflict, and climate-induced shocks and uncertainties. To overcome these challenges, local and regional governments and their development partners operating in the area should implement a multi-stakeholder, participatory, co-design and development of programs, projects and interventions to enhance collaboration, youth engagement and benefit. Investments in capacity-building and alternative income-generating activities, entrepreneurship education and business skills training are also important.

Ethnobotanical study of medicinal plants in Dibatie district, Metekel zone, Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, western Ethiopia

BackgroundHerbal medicine has been used for the treatment of human and livestock ailments since ancient times. Numerous rural and urban communities in Ethiopia practice traditional medicine and transfer the knowledge verbally from generation to generation. Thus, this study was conducted to document the traditional medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge in Dibatie district, Metekel zone, Benishangul Gumuz Regional State, western Ethiopia.MethodsThree hundred seventy-four (374) informants from 11 kebeles (the smallest administrative units) were selected and participated in the data delivery. The ethnobotanical data collection was carried out using semi-structured interviews, preference ranking, direct matrix ranking, field observation, market surveys, and focus group discussions, including voucher specimen collections. The ethnobotanical data were analyzed using descriptive statistics (frequency and percentage), ranking, comparison, and quantitative ethnobotanical techniques such as informant consensus factor, fidelity level index, Jaccard’s coefficient of similarity, and use value index.ResultsA total of 170 plant species were recorded to treat 79 human and 29 livestock ailments. Fabaceae (with 20 species) and Asteraceae (with 18 species) were the most dominant medicinal plant families in the area. Most remedial plants were herbs (61 species, 35.88%), followed by shrubs (39 species, 22.94%). The majority (135 species, 79.41%) of medicinal plants were harvested from wild sources and mainly possessed multiple remedy parts (41.17%) that are usually prescribed in fresh form (60.13%). The most commonly reported human ailment was snake venom, while blackleg was mostly reported among livestock diseases. The herbal medicines were mostly administered orally (52.20%), followed by dermal (17.62%) application. Embelia schimperi Vatke, Glinus lotoides L., Haplosciadium abyssinicum Hochst., Mucuna melanocarpa Hochst. ex A. Rich., and Phragmanthera macrosolen (Steud. ex A. Rich.) M.G.Gilbert had the highest fidelity level values (100%) against the corresponding ailments.ConclusionThe study area is rich in a diversity of potential medicinal plants and associated indigenous knowledge. Thus, appropriate conservation actions and careful utilization are essential to counteract the rise of anthropogenic threats and to ensure the continuity of plants with the related indigenous knowledge. Additionally, the medicinal plants should be validated through experimentation to integrate local knowledge with modern medications.

Farm Household Head Characteristics and Perceptions of Factors Related to Sustainable Management of Fogera Wetlands in Five Kebeles of South Gondar, Ethiopia

Policies regulating common-pool resources (CPR), such as wetlands, should take into account community socio-economic realities and community perceptions. The study aims to examine whether policies regulating common-pool resources, such as wetlands, should take into account community socio-economic realities and community perceptions. Specifically, it characterized Ethiopian farm households in the Amhara Region and household-head perceptions of six factors related to sustainable wetland management. Surveys were given to 385 respondents from five administrative units or kebeles (kebele is the smallest administrative unit). Focus-group discussions followed. All respondents were Orthodox Christians, and men constituted 93% of household heads. Kebeles differed significantly for household-head age and education, but overall education level was low. Most households had three or four children. Overall, the mean farm area was 0.89 ha, but within kebeles, mean areas ranged from 1.35 to 0.80 ha. Kidest Hana was the most successful kebele for farm size and yield. Significant differences existed among kebele farms for percentages of harvested crops sold, suggesting some were less food-secure. Data suggested male household-head farms had twice the area of female-head farms, older household heads had more land than younger ones, heads with more education had more children, and married heads had more land than divorced or unmarried heads. None felt that people outside their kebele should access their natural resources. Overall, 85% thought land ownership was communal, and 15% thought it was private. A plurality (44%) did not know who oversaw land management. None knew of any organizations working on sustainable wetland management, but most (75%) wanted to attend meetings on the subject. No farm used mechanized agriculture. Most (87%) had not abandoned alternative crops to produce more rice. Therefore, as a conclusion, every effort needs to be taken to address this socio-ecological and development challenge that faces Fogera wetlands and larger national and international impacts to achieve balanced and sustainable development. Hence, our study highlights the need for better education, leadership, and policies regarding sustainable wetland management.

Assessment of domestic pig–bushpig (Potamochoerus larvatus) interactions through local knowledge in rural areas of Madagascar

In many parts of the world, domestic and wild animal populations interact at the interface between natural and agricultural ecosystems. Introduced with the first inhabitants arriving from eastern Africa, the bushpig (Potamochoerus larvatus) is the largest living terrestrial mammal in Madagascar. Bushpigs are regularly reported close to human settlements where they damage crops and gardens. As domestic pigs are often raised in free-ranging conditions around the villages, bushpigs and domestic pigs can interact leading to the transmission and circulation of shared swine pathogens that impact both animal and human health. In this study, we characterized the socio-ecological context of bushpig–domestic pig interactions in two different regions of western Madagascar. We conducted participatory mapping sessions and focus group interviews with 65 hunters, 80 pig farmers and 96 crop farmers in 20 fokontany, the smallest administrative unit in Madagascar. After discussing with participants, we gathered information about the spatialization of interactions and their potential geographical drivers. We explored data by performing multiple correspondence analysis and hierarchical clustering on principal components. Based on the reported occurrence or absence of bushpig-domestic pig interactions we were able to classify areas with high or intermediate levels of interactions or no interactions at all. Interactions between the two pig species were reported in only 25% of the fokontany assessed. Even though both suid species were attracted to fruit trees, crops, and water sources, only indirect interactions in those spots were reported. Direct interactions were reported in 10% of cases and referred to interspecific sexual and/or agonistic behavior. The participatory methods used to acquire local knowledge about natural events were confirmed as valuable, low-cost exploratory methods to characterize areas with wild-domestic animal interactions. The results of this study will help plan future studies to characterize the interface between the two species from an ecological or epidemiological perspective using more sensitive and sophisticated ecological approaches.

Making agile governance work: the community grid as a ‘safety valve’ institution during the COVID-19 pandemic

The COVID-19 pandemic highlighted the need for agile governance to effectively address and prevent future global crises. Scholars have examined China’s grid system and its application by local governments in controlling the spread of COVID-19. Our research supports these findings, and we further argue that the grid system enhances responsiveness, inclusiveness, and transparency in governance, thereby benefiting both the government and its citizens. Through a detailed case study of grid governance in the M District of Shanghai from July 2020 to August 2022, we explore the operational mechanisms of the grid system. By incorporating the safety valve theory, we propose that the community grid, the smallest administrative unit in China, functions as an institution to issue pre-emptive warnings, integrate communities, and alleviate pressures during times of crisis, contributing to governance agility. As grid governance has constantly been strengthened, this research not only advances our comprehension of the effectiveness of grassroots governance in China, but also offers valuable insights pertaining to crisis management in mega-cities worldwide.

Insecticide-treated bed nets and residual indoor spraying reduce malaria in areas with low transmission: a reanalysis of the Maltrials study

BackgroundThe malaria incidence data from a malaria prevention study from the Rift Valley, Central Ethiopia, were reanalysed. The objective was to investigate whether including an administrative structure within the society, which may have required consideration in the protocol or previous analysis, would provide divergent outcomes on the effect measures of the interventions.MethodsA cluster-randomized controlled trial lasting 121 weeks with 176 clusters in four groups with 6071 households with 34,548 persons was done: interventions combining indoor residual spraying (IRS) and insecticide-treated nets (ITNs), IRS alone, ITNs alone and routine use. The primary outcome was malaria incidence. A multilevel negative binomial regression model was employed to examine the impact of the kebele (smallest administrative unit) and the proximity of homes to the primary mosquito breeding sites as potential residual confounders (levels). The study also assessed whether these factors influenced the effect measures of the interventions.ResultsThe study's initial findings revealed 1183 malaria episodes among 1059 persons, with comparable effects observed across the four intervention groups. In the reanalysis, the results showed that both ITN + IRS (incidence rate ratio [IRR] 0.63, P < 0.001) and ITN alone (IRR 0.78, P = 0.011) were associated with a greater reduction in malaria cases compared to IRS (IRR 0.90; P = 0.28) or the control (reference) group. The combined usage of IRS with ITN yields better outcomes compared to the standalone use of ITN and surpasses the effectiveness of IRS in isolation.ConclusionThe findings indicate that implementing a combination of IRS and ITN and also ITN alone decrease malaria incidence. Furthermore, there was an observed synergistic impact when ITN and IRS were used in combination. Considering relevant social structures as potential residual confounders is of paramount importance.Trial registration: PACTR201411000882128 (08 September 2014).

Traditional ethnobotanical knowledge and ethnomedicinal use of plants in the Tropical Rift Valley of Ethiopia

IntroductionA wide range of floral resources are used in Ethiopia for primary healthcare. Unfortunately, due to inadequate documentation and the fact that they were verbally passed down from one generation to the next, these indigenous medicinal practices are being forgotten. The study's goal was to identify and record indigenous peoples' traditional knowledge of plant usage in the Abala Abaya District of Wolaita, Ethiopia. MethodsThe collection of ethnobotanical data used a cross-sectional research design involving focus group discussions and semistructured questionnaires between January 2021 and April 2022. From each selected kebele (ward; smallest administrative unit), 50 informants (a total of 200) were selected as representative sample using a systematic random sampling technique. ResultsMore than 50 different human and animal illnesses have been documented to be treated by seventy-two species of plants grouped in thirty-two families. The most abundant families were Poaceae and Asteraceae (8 taxa in each). The two most often used plant parts were leaf (29%) and herbs (54%), respectively. Oral administration was the most typical mode of delivery (75%). For treating stomachache in the category of gastrointestinal illnesses, Hagenia abyssinica (Bruce) J.F.Gmel got the greatest fidelity level scores (FL = 100%). ConclusionsIn Abala Abaya District, there is broad access to traditional medicinal plants that can treat ailments in both humans and animals. This study, therefore, might be a baseline piece of information for further botanical related studies in the region. Plants with the highest FL values are highly recommended for novel drug discovery.

Higher livestock abortion burden in arid and semi-arid lands, Kenya, 2019-2020.

Tracking livestock abortion patterns over time and across factors such as species and agroecological zones (AEZs) could inform policies to mitigate disease emergence, zoonoses risk, and reproductive losses. We conducted a year-long population-based active surveillance of livestock abortion between 2019 and 2020, in administrative areas covering 52% of Kenya's landmass and home to 50% of Kenya's livestock. Surveillance sites were randomly selected to represent all AEZs in the country. Local animal health practitioners electronically transmitted weekly abortion reports from each ward, the smallest administrative unit, to a central server, using a simple short messaging service (SMS). Data were analyzed descriptively by administrative unit, species, and AEZ to reveal spatiotemporal patterns and relationships with rainfall and temperature. Of 23,766 abortions reported in all livestock species, sheep and goats contributed 77%, with goats alone contributing 53%. Seventy-seven per cent (n = 18,280) of these abortions occurred in arid and semi-arid lands (ASALs) that primarily practice pastoralism production systems. While spatiotemporal clustering of cases was observed in May-July 2019 in the ASALs, there was a substantial seasonal fluctuation across AEZs. Kenya experiences high livestock abortion rates, most of which go unreported. We recommend further research to document the national true burden of abortions. In ASALs, studies linking pathogen, climate, and environmental surveillance are needed to assign livestock abortions to infectious or non-infectious aetiologies and conducting human acute febrile illnesses surveillance to detect any links with the abortions.

Anopheles arabiensis continues to be the primary vector of Plasmodium falciparum after decades of malaria control in southwestern Ethiopia

BackgroundInvestigating the species distribution and their role in malaria transmission is important as it varies from place to place and is highly needed to design interventions appropriate to the site. The current study aimed to investigate the Anopheles mosquito species distribution and their infection rate in southwestern Ethiopia.MethodsThe study was conducted in 14 malaria-endemic kebeles (the smallest administrative unit), which were situated in eight different malaria-endemic districts and four zones in southwestern Ethiopia. Ten per cent of households in each village were visited to collect adult mosquitoes using Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) light traps. The larval and pupal collection was done from breeding sites within the villages, and reared to adults. Female mosquitoes were morphologically identified. The head and thorax of adult Anopheles mosquitoes were tested for circumsporozoite proteins (CSPs) using ELISA. At the same time, legs, wings, and abdomen were used to identify sibling species using PCR targeting the rDNA intergenic spacers region for species typing of the Anopheles funestus group and the internal transcribed spacer 2 region genes for Anopheles gambiae complex.ResultsA total of 1445 Anopheles mosquitoes comprising eight species were collected. Of 813 An. gambiae complex tested by PCR, 785 (97%) were Anopheles arabiensis, and the remaining 28 (3%) were not amplified. There were 133 An. funestus group captured and tested to identify the species, of which 117 (88%) were positive for Anopheles parensis, and 15 (11%) were not amplified. A single specimen (1%) showed a band with a different base pair length from the known An. funestus group species. Sequencing revealed this was Anopheles sergentii. Among 1399 Anopheles tested for CSPs by ELISA, 5 (0.4%) An. arabiensis were positive for Plasmodium falciparum and a single (0.07%) was positive for Plasmodium vivax.ConclusionsAnopheles arabiensis continues to play the principal role in malaria transmission despite implementing indoor-based interventions for decades. Sequencing results suggest that An. sergentii was amplified by the An. funestus group primer, producing PCR amplicon size of different length. Therefore, relying solely on amplifying a specific gene of interest in grouping species could be misleading, as different species may share the same gene.

Assessing the spatial coherence of forest cover indicators from different data sources: A contribution to sustainable development reporting

The accuracy of forest area estimates has improved over time as a result of field/cadastral surveys, enhanced remote sensing techniques, and the effectiveness of algorithms for automatical recognition of land cover types. However, forest statistics seem to be less accurate in disaggregated spatial domains such as small administrative units. To evaluate the contribution of different data sources to small-area forest cover estimation in Europe, we compared seven indicators with different spatial coverage and resolution. The analysis considered multiple information sources from innovative initiatives, such as the Copernicus Land monitoring scheme, and traditional (national) surveys. More specifically, the study examined the spatial coherence of these indicators at the municipal scale in Italy to achieve two objectives: (i) assessing the overall precision of forest cover rates and (ii) identifying spatial variations in forest cover rates associated with the technical characteristics of each data source. A spatial econometric approach was used to identify the sources of spatial divergence in forest cover rates and determine the data providers best suited to meet the information requirements of environmental reporting at the desired spatial scale. The results reveal that the selected indicators show varying degrees of internal coherence, with some indices displaying strong correlations and others delineating heterogeneous spatial patterns. Our study highlights the importance of choosing the right information source assessing forest area at the municipal level and provides a valuable approach quantifying the coherence and reliability of environmental indicators in monitoring key aspects of sustainable development.

“KOPI NGAJI”: BUILDING A HOLISTIC VILLAGE COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT MODEL BASED ON ISLAMIC VALUES

Since the enactment of Law Number 6 concerning Villages, there has been a shift in the development paradigm in the village as the smallest administrative unit in the Indonesian constitutional structure. The village is no longer the object of development, but the village is placed strategically as the subject of development. Village development should not be carried out partially. Villages and their communities need to be developed comprehensively, covering all aspects of their whole humanity. The purpose of this research is to uncover and describe one model of holistic village community development, namely "KoPi Ngaji", which has been implemented in Bodeh Village, Yogyakarta. "KoPi Ngaji" is a program in the religious sector in green open spaces that aims to instill rational thinking, emotional feelings, and spiritual inner as well as empower the economy of the local village community. This research uses a qualitative approach with case study data analysis. This study found that the “KoPi Ngaji” program is a holistic village community development model based on Islamic values. The "KoPi Ngaji" platform is run with a 3H approach (Heart, Head, and Hands). Starting with strengthening the Islamic spiritual mentality, this program then builds the economic power of the community through strengthening narratives reasoning, a sense of creativity, and the ability to take action for change.

Measuring Spatial Dispersion: An Experimental Test on the M‐Index

Despite representing a very accurate method for assessing spatial distribution, Marcon and Puech's M has been insufficiently exploited so far, most likely because its computation relies on pairing every point of interest (i.e., firms, plants) with every other point within the area under analysis. Such a figure rapidly grows to unmanageable levels when said area is larger than a neighborhood or when every industry is taken into account. Consequently, practical applications of M have been exclusively experimental and circumscribed to very limited areas or to a handful of industries. This seems much regrettable since M provides many advantages compared to conventional measures of spatial distribution and also to alternative distance measures. In this article, we assess the reliability of using small administrative units instead of exact postal addresses for the localization of plants, in order to reduce M's computational burden. Working with a dataset that provides the location, the specific industry and the number of employees for every single plant/establishment in Italy for both manufacturing and services, we can also draw a preliminary but certainly interesting picture of Sardinia's economic geography and its development through the Great Recession toughest years between 2007 and 2012.

Prevalence and predictors of asymptomatic malaria infection in Boricha District, Sidama Region, Ethiopia: implications for elimination strategies

BackgroundMalaria remains a major public health threat in Ethiopia despite the tremendous progress made towards the 2030 elimination targets. The silent transmission of asymptomatic infection is one of the factors that enhance the persistence of the disease as a public health issue and impedes efforts to eliminate malaria. Thus, this study aimed at investigating the prevalence and risk factors of asymptomatic malaria infection in Boricha district, Sidama region of Ethiopia.MethodsA community-based cross-sectional study was conducted in eight selected kebeles (smallest administrative unit) in Boricha district. Representative households were chosen using a multi-stage sampling technique. A total of 573 participants were included in the study. Malaria diagnosis was performed using rapid diagnostic test (RDT) and microscopy. A structured questionnaire was administered to collect socio-demographic information. Epi data 3.1 was employed for data entry, and SPSS version 25 was used for analysis.ResultsOf the 573 asymptomatic participants tested, 6.1% were found to be positive by RDT and 4.0% by microscopy. Participants aged under 5 years (AOR = 1.57, 95% CI 0.46–5.39) and 5–14 years old (AOR = 2.42, 95% CI 1.08–5.40), Insecticide-treated net utilization (AOR = 8.41; 95% CI 1.09–65.08), travel history (AOR = 6.85, 95% CI 2.32–20.26) and living in a house with windows (AOR = 2.11, 95% CI 1.02–4.36) were significantly associated with the asymptomatic malaria infection.ConclusionThe findings of this study revealed that prevalence of asymptomatic malaria infection was higher in the study area. As a result, rigorous implementation of existing interventions, such as vector control and anti-malaria drugs, is strongly recommended. In addition, devising new ones that are suited to the contextual situations is highly suggested.

Description of the design of a mixed-methods study to assess the burden and determinants of malaria transmission for tailoring of interventions (microstratification) in Ibadan and Kano metropolis

BackgroundRapid urbanization in Nigerian cities may lead to localized variations in malaria transmission, particularly with a higher burden in informal settlements and slums. However, there is a lack of available data to quantify the variations in transmission risk at the city level and inform the selection of appropriate interventions. To bridge this gap, field studies will be undertaken in Ibadan and Kano, two major Nigerian cities. These studies will involve a blend of cross-sectional and longitudinal epidemiological research, coupled with longitudinal entomological studies. The primary objective is to gain insights into the variation of malaria risk at the smallest administrative units, known as wards, within these cities.Methods/resultsThe findings will contribute to the tailoring of interventions as part of Nigeria’s National Malaria Strategic Plan. The study design incorporates a combination of model-based clustering and on-site visits for ground-truthing, enabling the identification of environmental archetypes at the ward-level to establish the study’s framework. Furthermore, community participatory approaches will be utilized to refine study instruments and sampling strategies. The data gathered through cross-sectional and longitudinal studies will contribute to an enhanced understanding of malaria risk in the metropolises of Kano and Ibadan.ConclusionsThis paper outlines pioneering field study methods aimed at collecting data to inform the tailoring of malaria interventions in urban settings. The integration of multiple study types will provide valuable data for mapping malaria risk and comprehending the underlying determinants. Given the importance of location-specific data for microstratification, this study presents a systematic process and provides adaptable tools that can be employed in cities with limited data availability.

Water poverty in Western Nepal: assessment of Alital Rural Municipality in Rangun watershed

Abstract Water poverty is an emerging issue in Nepal. Several factors, including population growth, climate change, land-use transitions, and poorly planned road construction, significantly impact water quality and quantity. Water poverty in Alital Rural Municipality, Dadeldhura, in Rangun Watershed is examined in this study. Elements of the water poverty index (WPI) were used – (i) access, (ii) resource, (iii) use, (iv) capacity, and (v) environment. The WPI was determined as 57, indicating a medium-low level of water poverty. The WPI for the various wards, the smallest administrative units, ranged from 54 to 64. The environment component yielded the highest score, the use component the lowest. Water use for household and agricultural purposes was negligible compared to other uses. Effective water management plans are essential for increasing household water use and consumption in the watershed. The WPI can be used as an integrated tool for water resource management at various scales, from local to national, by linking all environmental factors to identify and prioritize the areas that require immediate management interventions for integrated, multi-disciplinary, and sustainable water resource management.

Mathematical modelling of waste flows and treatment based on reconstruction of historical data: Case of wastewater sludge in Czech Republic

The contribution of supporting tools developed for logistic optimization and processing infrastructure planning is highly dependent on the quality of input data. Databases containing reports on waste production and treatment are often used for waste management case studies and in the aggregated form at the national level provide sufficient information with negligible errors. On the other hand, analysis in greater detail at the smallest administrative unit usually reveals significant inconsistencies, especially in the case of mass balance control. This often results in the impossibility to track waste flows in the system and evaluate final treatment. This paper aims to present a tool for database verification in order to satisfy mass balances at all levels of the investigated system. As part of the mathematical modelling, the database is first subjected to a statistical analysis where selected inconsistencies between records can be removed. Subsequently, data reconciliation is applied with appropriate weights assigned to each entity in the system. The weights represent credibility and reflect various errors, which are identified in the previous stage of the approach. The correction of mass balances enables an evaluation of quality or composition in greater detail of individual entities and also determines the feasible interval of monitored properties. The tool is applied to the treatment evaluation of dry matter in wastewater sludge in the Czech Republic. Thanks to the developed tool, disposal and material or energy recovery can be quantified at micro-regional.

Evaluating the spatial coherence of composite indexes of land degradation at small administrative units

In light of the ‘zero-net land degradation strategy’, the United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification (UNCCD) guidelines for policy-relevant indicators of land quality, have stressed the importance of comparable indexes' informative value across spatial scales. However, the proliferation of composite indexes of land sensitivity, vulnerability, or exposure to desertification risk, has been occasionally grounded on a systematization of theoretical concepts – both in advanced economies and in emerging countries. Rationalization of the operational approaches to land degradation assessment implies a (spatially explicit) comparison and verification of their outcomes at different (policy-relevant) spatial scales. To answer this issue, we implemented a statistical approach evaluating the coherence and reliability of four composite indexes of land degradation (ES3, ES4, LVI, DSI), with a practical application for Italy, a Mediterranean country classified as ‘affected’ by UNCCD. Using (municipal) administrative units as the elementary analysis' domain, sequential econometric techniques were used to test the internal (spatially explicit) coherence of the four composite indexes, and the role of information redundancy, for calibration of local-scale land degradation strategies. The outcomes of spatial regressions documented the potential of the four indexes in a short-term assessment of land vulnerability, confirming that such indexes provided a coherent ranking of Italian municipalities based on their intrinsic degree of land degradation. Principal Component Analysis documented the superior informative power of the ES4 index and confirms the appropriateness of an extensive use of the Environmentally Sensitive Area Index (ESAI) at small spatial scales. The proposed framework supports the creation of an index dashboard to monitoring complex environmental phenomena.

Evaluation of Alfaglandin C and associated factors on efficiency of cows’ estrus synchronization and artificial insemination in North Shoa Oromia, Ethiopia

Synchronization of estrus involves handling the estrus cycle so that a large number of cows can be bred at approximately the same time. Proper cow/heifer selection as well as efficient coordination are all key elements for the success of synchronization programs which were lacking in the study area. The study was conducted with the objective to evaluate the effect of Alfaglandin C and fixed factors on estrus synchronization and efficiency of Artificial Insemination (AI) in North Shoa zone of the Oromia region. The study population encompassed indigenous and crossbred cows and heifers found in six purposively selected kebeles (smallest administrative unit within a district) from the three selected districts (Wucale, Dagam and Kuyuu). Multistage sampling procedure was used to select target districts, kebeles and experimental cows/heifers. A total of 180 cows and heifers fulfilling estrus synchronization criteria were selected purposively and injected with synchronizing hormone (Alfaglandin C). The level of significance among categorical variables was determined using the chi-square (x2) test. About 70.6% of the cows and heifers injected with Alfaglandin C exhibited estrus. Exhibition of estrus following hormone injection was significantly (p&lt;0.05) lower in Wuchale district compared with that of the other two districts. Likewise, the agroecology, farming system, herd group, and breed had a significant (p&lt;0.05) effect on estrus exhibition. Among cows and heifers inseminated following estrus exhibition, 62.2% conceived as confirmed by pregnancy diagnosis (PD) test conducted at 45-day post AI, which dropped to 58.3% as observed by the PD test conducted three months’ post AI. Agroecology, farming system, herd group, and genotype of cows and heifers showed significant (p&lt;0.05) influence on the conception rate (CR). The highest CR was observed among cows of Kuyuu district, which was significantly (p&lt;0.05) different from that of the other two districts. The overall calving rate was 91.1%. The semi-intensive part of the study also showed better estrus synchronization response and better reproductive performances which directly associated with the management practices. Treating industrial byproducts, better management, and promoting AI can achieve better estrus synchronization and efficiency of artificial insemination. Key words: alfaglandin C, calving rate, conception rate, district, estrus exhibition, pregnancy diagnosis