West Hararghe Zone Research Articles

ASSESSMENT OF EXISTING AGROFORESTRY PRACTICES IN WEST HARARGHE ZONE OF OROMIA REGION, ETHIOPIA

A study was conducted in west Hararghe zone, on three districts, in six peasant associations with the intention to identify and assess potentials, constraints, opportunities and farmers’ perception on the existing agro-forestry practices of the study areas. The study was multistage sampling methods in which 121 households were selected using random sampling technique. Qualitative data generated by conducting household survey interviews, focus group discussions, key informant interview, and direct field observations in order to fit intention of the study. The collected Data was manipulated using suitable analytical software packages (SPSS, V.20) to calculate percentage and frequency of events through descriptive statistics. Based on the respondents idea across the districts, an average value of home garden agroforestry practices with 86% increasing and 11.5% decreasing and 2.5% no change trends were observed; while alley cropping of agroforestry practice during the past ten years ago with 89.3% increasing and 10.7% decreasing trend was observed (Table 4). Almost all in both Hararghe zones; alley cropping system is the most familiar than other existing agroforestry practices. For instance; an average value across the districts, Kchat plantation in alley cropping practice during the past ten years ago with 97.5% increasing and 2.5% decreasing trend was recorded (Table 4). In the result, the three top and the highest percentage observation of woody species have been retaining and planting in farmland across districts with the specific uses were Catha Edulis with (64.2%), Coffea with (49.9%) and Cordia Africana with (36.7%) could be observed (Table 2). The three top constraints of agroforestry practices were shortage of farm land with (43.8%), lack of understanding with (24.8%) and nutrient competition with (20.7%) observed. Basically, agroforestry practices needs optimum farm land size with related extent in order to compensate the observed constraints. On the contrary, the three top opportunities of agroforestry practices were Multipurpose Utilities with (26.1%), provision of shading with (14.3%) and Climate Balance with (6.7%) observed .It was also found that multipurpose trees shrubs play various traditional roles to local community. Generally; retention and planting of trees/shrubs in farm lands are used for fuel, construction, food, medicine, folder, and aesthetic value, shading values, windbreak, soil conservation and soil fertility improvement, bee forage and other uses in advance.

Assessment on major production constraints, and reproductive performances of camel in West Hararghe Zone Oromia Ethiopia

The study was conducted in Mieso and Bordede districts, in West Hararghe Zone of Oromiya National Regional State with the objectives of assessing major constraints of camel production, reproductive performances, and physicochemical quality of camel milk in the study areas. A total of 120 households (camel owners) were selected purposively for interview (i.e 20 households from each kebeles). Feed shortage, conflict over the scarcity of natural resources, low productivity of grazing land, and water scarcity were the main constraints of camel production. The mean age at first mating for male and female camels was 5.92±2.91 and 4.79±1.84 years respectively, similarly, the average number of services per conception of camels in this finding was 1.73±0.64. The reproductive span of male and female camels in the study area were 20.04±6.50 and 25.20±7.83 years, respectively and the gestation period of camels recorded in this study was 1.73±0.64. The lactation length of a camel was 9.77±2.10 and 17.30±5.66 months in Mieso and Bordede, respectively. Late maturity is reported as the primary reproductive constraint followed by long calving interval, the presence of reproductive disease, low conception rate and the birth of stunted calves in Mieso district. Whereas in Bordede district the primary reproductive constraints were late maturity followed by the presence of reproductive disease, long calving interval, low conception rate and birth of stunted calf. In conclusion, camel is one of the most important livestock for pastoralists’ livelihood as a source of milk, meat and draught power. In order to increase the productivity of camels, the major constraints such as shortage of feed and water, disease problems and others should be given attention.

Undernutrition among khat-chewer and non-chewer lactating women in Chiro district, eastern Ethiopia: Comparative cross-sectional study.

Objectives:This study aims to assess the prevalence of undernutrition and factors associated with it among khat-chewer and non-chewer lactating women at Chiro district, west Hararghe zone, eastern Ethiopia.Methods:A community-based comparative cross-sectional study was conducted among 446 (223 khat chewers and 223 non-chewers) randomly selected lactating women who have children aged 6 and 23 months. Data were collected through face-to-face interviews using structured questionnaires followed by weight and height measurements to calculate and categorize nutritional status based on body mass index (kg/m2). Data were entered into EpiData version 3.1 and analyzed using STATA version 14.2. A binary logistic regression model was fitted to check the association between independent variables and undernutrition. The level of statistical significance was declared at a p-value less than 0.05.Results:The overall prevalence of undernutrition among lactating women was 30.7% (95% confidence interval = 26.6, 35.2). Undernutrition was significantly higher among khat chewers, 39.0% (95% confidence interval = 32.8, 45.6) than non-chewers, 22.4% (95% confidence interval = 17.4, 28.4), (χ2 (degree of freedom) = 14.4231, p < 0.0001). Chewing daily (adjusted odds ratio = 3.14, 95% confidence interval = 1.08, 9.15), reducing number of meals after chewing (adjusted odds ratio = 3.45, 95% confidence interval = 1.29, 9.20), and unavailability of latrine (adjusted odds ratio = 2.98, 95% confidence interval = 1.02, 8.75) were significantly associated with undernutrition among khat-chewer lactating women. Furthermore, age at first pregnancy (<18 years) (adjusted odds ratio = 3.17, 95% confidence interval = 1.17, 8.60), not taking any additional meals (adjusted odds ratio = 3.41, 95% confidence interval = 1.08, 10.7), and hand washing after toilet use (adjusted odds ratio = 6.10, 95% confidence interval = 2.51, 14.8) were significantly associated with undernutrition among non-chewer lactating women.Conclusion:The overall prevalence of undernutrition is higher than previous studies and is alarming among khat-chewer lactating mothers. Thus, nutritional and public health interventions should target khat-chewer lactating mothers particularly focusing on daily chewer either to improve their dietary practice during and after chewing or to stop khat chewing if possible, in order to reduce the effect of khat on food absorption. Besides, improving latrine coverage and use, and prevention of early pregnancy are of paramount importance in reducing undernutrition among lactating mothers.

Status of Rural Household Poverty in West Hararge Zone: In Case of Some Selected Woredas, Oromia, Ethiopia

This study was conducted in a rural area of West Hararghe zone to evaluate the status of household rural poverty. To undertake this study, both primary and secondary data were used. The data was collected from 375 sample households for the study purpose. In doing so, the maximum likelihood estimation method of the logit model was applied to estimate the logit regression model. The study used consumption expenditure as an indicator of welfare in general and the cost of basic needs approach in particular to classify households as poor and non-poor. The result of this study shows in the study area the proportion of people who are stated under the poverty line is 52.8 percent from the surveyed households. The incidence of poverty among the sampled households is 23.8% and 13.54% for the poverty gap, and poverty severity index respectively. In line with, poverty alleviation policies that are based on this identified status should be key ingredients of poverty reduction strategy and targeted groups should involve in development efforts that could address the identified problem to minimize the rate of increased poverty severity from rural areas of West Hararge zone.

Adaptation Trial of Improved Bee Forages in West Hararghe Zone of Oromia Region, Ethiopia

The study was conducted at Mechara Agriculture Research station and in Gemechis district kunisekeria FTC for two consecutive cropping seasons of, 2018 and 2019, with the objective of identifying adaptable and potential bee forages for honey production. Five herbaceous bee forages were sown in 2mX2m plot size in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replication. The bee forages were evaluated based on germination efficiency days to flower, number of flower heads/plant and intensity of honeybees on flowers. The result indicated that, there were mean difference for germination date, blooming date, flowering length, number of flower heads/plant for all study plant species. Among the study bee forage plants, both black and white buckwheat’s were take short day to flower with mean value of 20 and 24 days. Similarly Sinapis alba was take a short day to flowering at Kuni sakaria FTC while Sinapis alba at Kuni sakaria FTC has the highest mean value in duration of blooming (45) days followed by white buck wheat at both site (43) days. Coriander has highest flower per head/plant (92) at both site followed by Sinapis at Kuni sakaria FTC. There was mean difference in bee visit between each plant species at all study sites. Coriander was highly visited by honey bees at Kuni sakaria FTC followed by white buckwheat at both site. In general, both black and white type of buckwheat and Coriander had high performance in lowland and highland of the zone whereas Phacelia tanacetifolia and Sinapis alba showed good performance at highland part of the study area. Therefore, further demonstration and scaling-up is needed at recommended area for the respective similar agro ecology of the West Harerghe Zone.

Evaluation and participatory variety selection of improved highland sorghum varieties for smallholder farm at west hararghe zone

Participatory variety selection is the most important breeding program which enhanced the adoption of improved varieties through creating awareness based on smallholder farmers’ selection criteria. Several different improved sorghum varieties are released at different international and national research institutions at different times, however, the technologies were not properly addressed the farmers based on participatory, client oriented and demand driven. The experiment was carried out in West Hararghe Zone; Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia with the objective to identify and recommend the best adapted and performed improved sorghum varieties with farmers’ preference traits through continuous performance evaluation at different stages of the sorghum. A total of six sorghum varieties were evaluated in randomized complete block design in the 2019 main cropping season. Farmers have evaluated the entire experimental units using different statistical tools like direct-matrix and pair-wise ranking algorithms at maturity stage. Farmers set selection criteria to identify the superior improved varieties as compared to the local check by listing different agronomic traits like yield, biomass, seed color, seed size and biotic and abiotic resistance. The analysis of variance showed that there was highly significant difference (p&lt;0.01) among the genotypes for all studied traits. The greatest grain yield was recorded from the variety Dibaba (11325 Kgha-1) and Jiru (10200 Kgha-1) respectively. Likewise, based on the overall farmer’s preference, Dibaba and Jiru were ranked first and second and followed by Adelle, ETS2752 and Chiro respectively. Additionally, the study revealed that participatory varietal selection is playing decisive role in gathering farmers’ perceptions, preferences, merits and shortcomings of sorghum varieties for future improvement. Hence, based on the result of the study, variety Dibaba and Jiru were recommended for multiplication and distribution to farmers through both formal and informal seed systems. Generally, the integration of plant breeders and farmers’ perceptions are used to increase the adoption rate and design a good breeding program for future improvement.

Food Security Status and Its Determinants among Rural Households in Oda Bultum District, West Hararghe Zone, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia

Food security is one of the critical concerns and top priority of policy agenda for developing countries. Having clear picture on food security status and its determinants helps policy makers to devise appropriate policies that enhance food security. Hence, this study aims to determine the food security status of the households, status, gap and severity of food insecurity among rural households and its determinants in Oda Bultum district of West Hararghe zone, Oromia National Regional State. The data for this study were collected from primary and secondary sources. Primary data were collected from randomly selected 365 sample households by using multistage sampling procedure and secondary data were obtained from various sources. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, Foster-Greer-Thorbecke (FGT) and probit model. The survey results indicated that 38.9% sampled households were food secured whilst 61.1% were food insecure. Further analysis of Probit regression revealed that; sex of household head, educational level, household size, donkey ownership, cash crop production, off/non-farm income, income, access to irrigation and frequency of extension contact significantly increased probability of being food secure. This study recommends that rural households should be encouraged to increase off/non-farm income, work on household size by applying family planning, increasing frequency of extension contact, increasing cash crop productivity, increasing access to irrigation, increasing income, donkey possession and improvement of the educational level for the household heads in order to enhance households’ food security status in the study area. Keywords: Food security, Agro-pastoralist, Sedentary farming, Probit, Oda Bultum DOI: 10.7176/JESD/12-17-03 Publication date: September 30 th 2021

Constraints of Adoption of Agricultural Extension Package Technologies on Sorghum Crop Production at Smallholder Farm Household Level: Evidence from West Hararghe Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia

An effective and efficient agricultural extension system can enhance the agricultural productivity and production of smallholders through the development of innovative, systematic, and farmer-owned agricultural extensions. This study identified major constraints of adoption of agricultural extension package technologies such as adoption of inorganic and organic fertilizers, improved seeds, row planting, and crop protection chemicals at smallholder household level on sorghum crop production. The study used cross-sectional survey data collected from 201 sample respondent household farmers. To analyze data, descriptive statistics, ranking indexes, graphs, and tables were used. The study identified the major constraints of agricultural extension package technologies. High price, problem of on-time provision, shortage and uneven distribution of rainfall, and problem of accessibility were the major constraints that hinder the use of inorganic fertilizer. Using sources of organic fertilizer for other purposes, insufficient availability, undeveloped infrastructure, and facilities and requirement of more labor were the major constraints to the use of organic fertilizer.

EVALUATION OF COFFEE GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY UNDER COFFEE SHADE TREES AT MECHARA ON STATION, WEST HARARGHE ZONE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract: Coffee production with shade trees is important to improve growth and quality of coffee, sustain and restore agroecology and nature based agroforestry practices. The trial was conducted at Mechara Agricultural Research Center (on station) in DaroLebu District of West Hararghe Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia. The study was intended to evaluate the influence of coffee shade trees on growth performance, yield and quality of coffee (Coffea arabica L.) under the canopy of Erytherina absinica, Cordia africana and Acacia sieberiana. The design was Randomized complete block design with three replications. The outcome had been observed a significant value at (p&lt;0.05) probability level, non- significant value at (p&gt;0.05) probability level and highly significance value at (p&lt;0.01) probability level between treatments. Statistically significant and non- significant differences were observed between shaded and unshaded as well as within shaded effect based on the given parameters. Integration of shade in coffee farming system created creditable promising in producing organic coffee. Shade utility could be confirmed as to be ecologically sustainable, economically viable and socially acceptable practice. In so doing that, the effect of Erytherina absinica, Cordia africana shade trees illustrated the highest mean value in most parameters, while the least one is under the Acacia sieberiana shade tree. So the effect of Erytherina absinica mean observed with the highest value on total bearing plants 60%, thousand seed weight 59% and yield in Quintal per hectare 47.4% greater than the least treatments’ mean value based on growth parameters. On the other hand, the effect of Erytherina absinica mean observed with the higher value on aromatic intensity 46.4%, aromatic quality 87.2%, acidity 92.4%, body 93.5%, flavors 88.6% and overall quality 88.6% than the least treatments’ mean value, and also the effect of un-shade mean observed with the higher value on astringency 68.8% and bitterness 93.5% than the least treatments’ mean value based on organoleptic parameters. The highest mean value of Erytherina absinica observed on total bearing plants 12.1, thousand seed weight 130 gram and yield in Quintal per hectare 5.7 based on growth parameters, while based on organoleptic parameters, the highest mean value observed under the effect of Erytherina absinica shade tree on aromatic intensity 4.5, aromatic quality 3.9, acidity 7.9, body 7.7, flavors 7.9 and overall quality 7.9. Therefore, based on the most treatments’ parameters, to be the best shade tree was Erythrina abyssinica followed by cordia africana. Commonly, the dynamic indication of the treatment’s means difference were indicated between shaded and unshaded rather than within shaded means variation at most treatments’ parameters.

Seroprevalence and Risk Factors of Small Ruminant Brucellosis in West Hararghe Zone of Oromia Regional State, Eastern Ethiopia

A cross-sectional study design was employed on collected sera samples to investigate brucellosis in small ruminants from December 2018 to November 2019 with the objectives of estimating the seroprevalence and potential risk factors for the occurrence of brucellosis in small ruminants in selected districts of West Hararghe: Chiro, Hirna, and Mieso. A total of 2070 collected sera samples from small ruminants were tested using serological tests and screened by RBPT and confirmatory test (CFT). The overall seroprevalence of the present study was 0.24% in small ruminants (Chiro 0.2%, Hirna 0%, and Mieso 0.3%). The chi-square test (Stat 14.0) was used to determine the strength of potential risk factors associated with the occurrence of brucellosis by using univariable logistic regression. Mixed flock (OR = 2.11 (1.33–3.36 CI; P=0.002)), agropastoral (OR = 4.01 (2.35–6.84 CI; P=0.0001)) and pastoral (OR = 2.59 (1.37–4.90 CI; P=0004)) production system, and larger flock size (OR = 1.68 (1.08–2.60 CI; P=0.021) were factors significantly affecting the prevalence of small ruminant brucellosis. Univariable analysis was used, and independent predictors of small ruminant brucellosis were further analyzed using multilogistic regression. This disease was presented in the current study area; therefore, the careful separation of positive animals would help to prevent and control further distribution of the disease.

THE EFFECT OF POPULATION DYNAMICS ON FOREST COVER IN DARO LEBU WEREDA, WEST HARARGHE ZONE, OROMIA REGION, ETHIOPIA

Forest is one of renewable land properties which endowed with numerous resources that are valuable to man. The quality of the environment is constantly losing its status due to increase in population size in most countries of the world. The general objective of this study was to assess the effect of population dynamics on forest cover in West Hararghe Zone in general and Daro Labu Wereda (DLW) in particular. Systematic random sampling technique was used to select the target population of this study whose total number was 364 households from four kebeles of DLW. Questionnaire, interview, FGD and satellite imagery used as data gathering tools for this study. The quantitative data of this study were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the qualitative data were discussed and interpreted through narration. As the result in this study a mixed method was used. This study is triangulation study in its design. The study was found out that population dynamics had contributed a lot to deforestation of the wereda under the study through agricultural land expansion, settlement, fuel wood gathering and illegal tree cutting. Thus due to population growth, lack of alternative livelihood approach, ruthless profit making, lack of economic transformation human encroachment and lack of alternative sources of energy. Population growth had contributed greatly to forest deforestation especially as it affected the forest covers. The major findings were observed that expansion for cultivated and settlement LULC classes rapidly increased from1973 to 2013 on the contrary forest and shrub lands decreased in DLW due to population dynamics and human encroachment in the forest cover. Therefore, there is an urgent need with government for the various stakeholders in environmental resource management to provide mechanism that can prevent the forest cover from further reduction in the study area.

Performance Evaluation and Selection of Improved Food Barley (Hordeum vulgare L.) Varieties for their Adaptability in West Hararghe Zone, Eastern Oromia, Ethiopia

An experiment was conducted in three districts of West Hararghe Zone at Gemechis (Quni segeria FTC), Chiro (Arbarakate FTC) and Tullo (Gara qufa FTC) in 2018 cropping season in order to identify and promote well performed and adapted improved barley variety/s. The experiment was laid out in Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Ten (10) improved barley varieties including local check were used as experimental materials. The most important data of the trial like days to50% flowering, Days to maturity, plant height, spike length, diseases, Plant aspect and yield qt ha-1 were collected and analyzed using Genstat 16th edition statistical software and means were separated using least significance difference. Almost most parameters (Days to heading, days to maturity, spike length and grain yield) analysed from individual location were significantly affected due to the main effect of both locations and Environments. Combined analysis of data revealed that, varieties varied significantly at (P<0.05) for all traits. From the overall analysed data, HB1307 and Bentu were the two varieties showed relatively better yield with a value of 46.55 and 44.07 qtha-1 respectively. HB1965, Shage and Abdane were the least performing varieties interms of grain yield having a value of 37.43, 36.83 and 38.63 qt ha-1 respectively. Generally, HB1307 and Bentu were the two varieties showed better performance with their mean yield and other measured traits. Therefore, these two varieties were recommended to be demonstrated under farmers’ field for further scaling up.

Assessment on Problems Associated with Artificial Insemination Service in Dairy Cattle in Two Selected Districts of West Hararghe Zone

Artificial insemination is recognized as the best biotechnological technique for increasing reproductive capacity and has received widespread application in farm animals. A cross sectional study was conducted from November 2016 to March 2017 with the objective of assessing the problems associated with artificial insemination service in dairy cattle in two selected districts of West Hararghe zone and coming to applicable recommendations. In this study, a structured questionnaire was used and (400) smallholder dairy farmers, (8) Artificial Insemination Technicians and (17) animal health and production professional were included. Retrospective data was also included in the study to evaluate the situation of AI service in the study site. According to the study result, 152(38%) of the smallholder dairy farmers have got AI service regularly without interruption while 248(62%) of them do not due to discontinuation of service on weekends and holidays (39.4%), unavailability of AITs (25.65%), lack of inputs (20%) and long distance (14.87%) with statistical significance between districts (P&lt;0.05) for shortage of Artificial Insemination Technician. Conception failure (43.9%), unavailability of artificial insemination technicians (29.8%), Death or Dystocia (15.6%) and insufficient animal health centers (57.5%) are among the major constraints of AI delivery system raised by dairy farmers. About (61.25%) of the dairy cattle owners were not satisfied by the AI service delivery while (38.75%) were satisfied with the overall AI service with statistically significant difference among the districts (P&lt;0.05). The AITs and animal health and production professionals also mentioned absence of collaboration between stakeholders, absence of inputs, lack of responsible body and lack of on job trainings and incentive as constraints of the AI service in the area. Generally, the questionnaire survey indicated that artificial insemination service faces several constraints and requires urgent corrective measures by all stakeholders to change the situation and attain the intended result of improving the production and productivity of dairy cattle in the study area in particular and in the country in general. Keywords: Artificial insemination, Dairy Farmer, Problems, District, Oda Bultum, Doba DOI: 10.7176/JHMN/86-02 Publication date: February 28 th 2021

On farm Phenotypic Characterization of Indigenous Goat Breeds within Their Production System in Ancher and Gemechis Districts, West Hararghe Zone, Eastern Ethiopia

This study was conducted to study the morphological characteristics of indigenous goats breed under farmer’s management condition in Ancher and Gemechis districts, West Hararghe Zone, Eastern Ethiopia. The most frequently observed coat color pattern of goat was (60.8%) plain, (9.1%) spotted and (30.1%) were patchy coat color and coat color type in the study area was brown (36.8%) followed by white (24.7%). Heart girth had consistently the highest correlation coefficient (0.80), (0.76), (0.90) with body weight of intact male, female and castrated male goat respectively in both study districts. The mean of body weight, body length, chest girth, wither height, chest width, pelvic width, face length, horn length, rump length, ear length intact male are 38.1±0.7, 65.2±0.63, 74.0±0.70, 69.0±0.48, 15.0±0.12, 15.±0.14, 19.8±0.18, 16.0±0.56, 16.0±0.23, 14.4±0.14, respectively. The corresponding values for the female goat were 32.0±0.22, 62.0±0.20, 70.0±0.22, 64.7±0.15, 14.2±0.04, 13.8±0.04, 19.0±0.06, 12.0±0.23, 15.0±0.07, 14.1±0.04, respectively. The mean of body weight, body length, chest girth, wither height, chest width, pelvic width, face length, horn length, rump length, ear length castrated male are 44.4±0.42, 69.6±0.37, 78.9±0.42, 72.9±0.29, 15.1±0.07, 16.4±0.08, 20.5±0.12, 18.1±0.44, 15.8±0.14, 14.7±0.08, respectively. The body weight of castrated male goat was higher than the intact male and female goat in both districts. As conclusion castrated male goat has potential for improving income and to increase economy of smallholder farmers in the study areas as well as in the surrounding areas.

The Effectiveness of Rain Water Harvesting for Sustainable Practices in West Hararghe Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

This study was conducted in West Hararghe Zone, Oromia regional state to evaluate rain water harvesting Effectiveness for sustainable practices. The data were collected from a total 336 household selected randomly. The data’s obtained were analyzed qualitatively. The study reviled that Rain water harvesting is one of the most important means to increase agricultural productivity and source of a domestic water supply for drought prone of Western Hararghe Zones. Specifically, in selected kebeles of Miesso district there is no access of perennial spring and river. Ground water also found at very deeper and can’t be extracted by their current economic and educational status. In line with this about 83.6% of the farmers were implemented rain water harvesting practices on their farm land and communal land to minimize the risks associated with scarcity of rainfall. From these value 97.3% were in Miesso district. In agreement with this, 54.8% of the house holders have been using roof top water harvesting system in this study area. Specifically, about 25% of the respondents use roof top water harvesting system in Miesso district. Additionally, about 30.1% of the farmers were constructed family pond on their farm land for vegetable/horticultural crop production, cash crops (chat) and also for livestock. Contour ridges were implemented by 89.3% and 92.4% of the farmers in Miesso and Habro districts, respectively. Similarly, 73.8% of the respondents in the study area were implemented flood water diversion to their farm land. Accordingly, 30.8% and 20.5% of the respondents from Habro and Miesso district state preferred flooding WH system than others techniques.

Evaluation of Lowland Bamboo Propagation Techniques in West Hararghe Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Bamboo has diverse utility ranging from construction to delicacy in Asia and Africa, and also several desirable qualities that make it a useful resource compared to many other plants. For example; it uses as food and feed preservative, construction, medicine purpose, natural conservation, charcoal and energy, arts and culture, aesthetic value, financial return and environment protection. Bamboo has additional unique characteristic that a fast growing plant than any other tree species and starts to give utility within three or four years of planting time in the exception of bearing fruits. To give fruit full seed takes a long time that after 50 years old. So to get its utilities has to be raised through various propagation methods. In this trial; propagations with culm cut, offsets cut and branch cut on Dendrocalmus membracius, Dendrocalmus hamlitonii and Oxytenanthera abyssinica bamboo species had been executed in RCBD design with three replications, respectively. So that in this experiment, among the methods of bamboo propagation technique; offset cutting (bamboo rhizome) followed by branch cut had been recommended based on consideration of giving adequate planting materials. The outcomes showed highly significant difference at (p<0.001) level between and within treatments as well as interaction effect based on the given parameters. Regardless of this fact; the highest mean value discovered under Dendrocalmus hamlitonii bamboo species with culm cut planting followed by Dendrocalmus memebranceous with branch cut planting, while the least mean value was recorded under Oxytenanthera abyssinica with culm cut planting based on number of new emerging bamboo shoot parameter. Based on root collar diameter, Length of shoot and number of node parameters, the highest mean value recorded under Dendrocalmus hamlitonii and Dendrocalmus memebranceous with offset cut planting, while the least mean value was recorded under Dendrocalmus hamlitonii with branch cut planting, respectively (Table 2). Despite this fact, the recommend that with offset cut plating for Dendrocalmus hamlitonii and Dendrocalmus memebranceous of bamboo species followed by Oxytenanthera abyssinica. The Culm cut planting parts designated higher mean value for Dendrocalmus hamlitonii bamboo species only, while branch cut planting designated higher mean value for Dendrocalmus memebranceous bamboo species only (Table 2). Generally, the study was propagations of lowland bamboo species (Dendrocalmus membracius, Dendrocalmus hamlitonii and Oxytenanthera abyssinica) with culm cut, offsets cut and branch cut techniques under Mechara and for related agro ecology zones is trustworthy so, the research advocated these technologies with further economic and livelihood benefits for different stakeholders through expanding the plantation materials with full package.

Determinants of smallholder farmers’ participation and level of participation in small-scale irrigation practice in Gemechis district, West Hararghe Zone, Ethiopia

The study was conducted to assess factors that determine a household’s participation and intensity of use in the Gemechis district. A multi-stage sampling technique was employed and 167 sample hous...

Evaluation of Improved Napier Cultivars as Livestock Feed Under Farmers Conditions in West Hararghe Zone, Oromia Region, Ethiopia

This study was conducted to evaluate the forage production and farmers preference as livestock feed under farmer’s conditions in West Hararghe Zone of Oromia region, Ethiopia. Four improved Napier grass cultivars (ILRI cultivar number: 16801, 16800, 16798, and 16840) and local check were planted in a Randomized Complete Block Design (RCBD) with six replications during the main cropping season of 2018/19. The dry matter (DM) yield, fresh biomass yield, plant height, leaf length and leaf-stem ratio and other agronomic data were measured at harvest. Farmers preference of the Napier grass cultivars as livestock feed was collected through visual and hand evaluation of the multiple ranking criteria of the cultivars based on phonological nature. The results shows that, ILRI cultivar no. 16800 was higher (P 3), as an indicator for livestock feed. From this study, it is concluded that Napier grass cultivars No. 16800, 16840 and 16801 were found promising in terms of agronomic traits, DM yield and fresh biomass yield than others during main rainy season (July to September) that needs further evaluation during dry season to demonstrated and popularized as an alternative feed resources under smallholder conditions in the study areas and other places of east and West Hararghe zones of Oromia region with similar climatic and edaphic conditions.

Determinants of Onion Marketed Among Smallholder Producers in Gemechis District, West Hararghe Zone, Oromia National Regional State of Ethiopia

Onion plays a crucial role in enhancing food security and generates income for the smallholder farmers of Ethiopia. This paper was attempted to analyze the determinants of onion supplied to the market in Gemechis District, Oromia Region of Ethiopia. Data for the study were collected from both primary and secondary sources. The primary data were collected by household survey using a pre-tested structured questionnaire and key informant interview using checklists. The data were collected from 176 farmers. The collected data was analyzed using both descriptive statistics and econometric model. The descriptive statistics was used to analyze the socio-economic characteristics of smallholder farmers and econometric model was used to determine the factors affecting onion supplied to the market. The results of two-stage least square regression model showed that quantity of onion supplied to the market was significantly and positively influenced by the endogenous quantity of onion produced. In addition, distance from nearest market, non/off farming income, land allocated and lagged price significantly affect the onion marketed. The study findings suggest the need to improve rural road infrastructure, intensification of land to compensate through cash crop production and efficient utilization of the existing limited farm land and encourage investment on off/non-farm incomes as well as onion production.

Evaluation of Yield and Yield Related Performance of Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] Varieties at West Hararghe Zone, Eastern Ethiopia

Evaluation of Yield and Yield Related Performance of Cowpea [Vigna unguiculata (L.) Walp] Varieties at West Hararghe Zone, Eastern Ethiopia