West Hararghe Zone Research Articles

STUDY ON THE STATUS OF BOVINE TICK INFESTATION, IN GUBA-KORICHA DISTRICT IN WEST HARARGHE ZONE, EAST - ETHIOPIA

A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2010 to April 2011 to determining the prevalence of tick infestation, to identify the common tick species in cattle and to assess the major risk factors associated with the occurrence of tick species in Guba koricha district West Hararghe zone of Oromia regional state, southeast Ethiopia. Ticks were collected by searching and half body of animals using forceps on different regions of the animals’ body. A total sample of 384 cattle, 234 were found to be infested by one or more tick species an overall prevalence of 60.9%. The most predominant isolated ticks species in this study were R. pullchelus with isolation rate of 49.4% followed A. Varigatum with isolation rate of 30.3%, H. marginatum rufipes, the third predominant with isolation rate 11.8%. However, A. gemma, H. trucatum and R. Evertsi-evertsi was the least isolate which accounts for 3.6%, 2.4% and 2.35% respectively. Age, sex and body conditions scoring were found to be important risk factors associated with tick infestation. The prevalence of tick infestation between age and sex was statistically significant (X2=32.3075, CI=0.1323358-0265075, P=0.000 andX2=5.117, CI=0.1953184-0.0061713, P=0.037) respectively. However, breed and body condition were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Hereof, Ticks are obligate, blood feeding ecto-parasites that cause severe damage to the hides and skins of domestic cattle due to this reduce the foreign exchange of the country; and transmit tick borne diseases. Therefore, effective tick control programs should be formulated and implemented at national or regional level.

Study on the status of bovine tick infestation, in Guba-koricha District in West Hararghe zone, east - Ethiopia

Study on the status of bovine tick infestation, in Guba-koricha District in West Hararghe zone, east - Ethiopia

Participatory Evaluation and Selection of Improved Irish Potato Varieties at Daro Lebu and Oda Bultum Districts of Western Hararghe Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia

Potato ( Solanum tubersom L.) is one of the most important food crops in developed as well as developing countries. This activity was conducted during the 2013 main cropping season at Daro Lebu and Oda Bultum districts of West Hararghe Zone to identify and select among potato varieties that are adaptable to local conditions and accepted by farmers and consumers at large and to generate knowledge and information that can contribute for the seed value chain development. A total of four farmers were participated on the experiment. Gudane, Bubu, Toluma, Bete and Local check varieties were evaluated on 25m 2 and 100m 2 plots at Daro Lebu and Oda Bultum districts, respectively. Economic data (cost of input and revenue obtained), agronomic data and farmer feedback/preference were collected. The collected data were analyzed through descriptive statistic (mean and standard deviation) and graphs by SPSS software and qualitatively. The agronomic result shows that the average total yield harvested from Gudene and Bubu varieties were 21 ton/ha and 20.24 ton/ha, respectively. In addition, participants of field day were also select those varieties based on criteria’s like disease reaction, tuber size, marketability, number of tubers and ways of giving tubers from one plant, color, perish ability, yield amount, sweetness and short time take during catering. Economically, Gudane and Bubu varieties were more beneficiary as compared to Bete, Toluma and Local variety, which were 83,500 Eth.birr and 77,420 Eth.birr, respectively. According to other agronomic data result shows that and farmer preference criteria like disease resistant, high yielder, larger tuber size, marketable, good color and high number of tuber and others, Gudane and Bubu varieties were selected as compared to Toluma, Bete and Local varieties. Therefore, Gudane and Bubu varieties will recommend for further scale up/out for Oda Bultum and Daro Lebu districts and others area which is similar agro-ecology to Oda Baso and Jilbo kebeles.

Early Survival Evaluation of Trees and Shrubs for Their Adaptability Planted Under Moisture Conservation Structures at Hawi Gudina District, West Hararghe Zone, Ethiopia

The ever-increasing demand for biomass energy in developing countries like Ethiopia seeks urgent attention. Tree growth depends on genetic potential of the species and environmental conditions. A study was conducted at Hawi Gudina district during 2010-2013 to evaluate early survival of different agroforestry trees/shrubs (Meliaazedarach, Moringaoleifera, Leucaena leucocephala, Grevilia robusta and Sesbania sesban) for their adaptability planted under three different moisture conservation structures. These different trees and shrubs species were planted in randomized complete block design with unequal replications. Unbalanced analysis of variance revealed that the interaction of tree/shrubs survival with planting methods was found insignificant (P>0.05) at 1, 2 and 3 years of age after transplanting. The main effect of moisture conservation structures is also not significant. But highly significant variations among species in survival rate (P<0.01) was recorded at all three years of ages. Among the species tested, Moringaoliefera and Melia azedarach showed superior performance with survival rate of 100% followed by Sesbania sesban with survival rate of 88.9%. Though there was no significant difference in survival rate of trees/shrubs with respect to different planting methods. The mean survival of seedlings planted in half-moon (80%) is higher than in normal pit (73.33%) and trench (60%) three years after establishment. Similarly, species planted in half-moon recorded relatively higher in diameter and height size followed by trench micro catchment. Moringa oliefera, Melia azedarach and Sesbania sesban with half-moon planting method, offers much promise for future use in agroforestry practices in the area and similar agro ecologies.

English

The school principal’s role in determining the academic achievement of students has been an agenda of controversy among scholars in the field of educational leadership. Several studies, have been carried out, over the years, to resolve this controversy. However, the findings so far have not produced consistent outcomes pointing to the need for further research in differing socio-cultural settings. The main objective of this study was to investigate the relationship between secondary school principals’ leadership effectiveness as perceived by secondary school teachers and students’ academic achievement West Hararghe Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. For this, the study employed correlation design comprising of eight randomly sampled secondary schools. In this study, a total of 190 teachers were selected using a proportional random sampling technique to fill in a standardized questionnaire on the leadership effectiveness of their school principals. Out of 3321 students who sat for Grade 10 national examinations in 2014, the Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) scores of 440 students was selected from the sampled schools using proportional random sampling technique. A standardized questionnaire with five-point Likert scales was used to measure the leadership effectiveness of principals whereas CGPA of students on Grade 10 national examination was used to measure students' academic achievement. The findings of the study showed that the experience of principals was not significantly correlated with their corresponding leadership effectiveness. The findings also showed that the principals level of education was significantly negatively correlated with principals’ leadership effectiveness (R = -0.866, p < 0.05). Furthermore, the study findings showed that there was no significant correlation between a school principal’s leadership effectiveness and students’ academic achievement. The latter finding implies that there was no direct relationship between school leadership and students' academic achievement. In addition, the findings suggest that the relationship between principals’ level of education, service year, and leadership effectiveness was not direct. The researchers, therefore, recommended further research on a large scale and in different contexts to come up with more valid and generalizable finding. Key words: Leadership, effectiveness, students' academic achievement, secondary school principal.

Dynamics of Soil Physico-Chemical Properties in Area Closures at Hirna Watershed of West Hararghe Zone of Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Dynamics of Soil Physico-Chemical Properties in Area Closures at Hirna Watershed of West Hararghe Zone of Oromia Region, Ethiopia

Healthcare Workers&amp;apos; Perceptions Towards Hospital Leadership and Institutional Structure in Chiro and Gelemso Hospitals, West Hararghe Zone, East Ethiopia

Background: Institutional structure, also called institutional formation is defined as the components and resources that an institution has to deliver its services and generate external support. Until recently, human resources have been overlooked during the course of health sector reforms. The perception of health worker towards institutional structure and leadership have an enormous impact for the successful implementation of health sector reform thus identifying factors that affect their perception have a significant importance for amending some of the organizational structure and advancing strategies to achieve organizational goals. And identifying factors that affect perception of health workers have eminent roles for mangers in order to improve and create a motivated health care provider. Objective: The objective of this study was to assess and determine factors that affect the perception of healthcare Workers towards the institutional structure and Leadership. Methods: A cross sectional quantitative survey was undertaken on 204 health workers from April 15 – 30, 2012. Self administered structured questionnaires were used to collect data. Data were entered and analyzed using SPSS Version 16. Multiple linear regressions were applied once after the assumptions checked. Result: This study showed that the overall perception of institutional structure and leadership is 37.2% and 31.6% respectively. About 59.3% of the respondents perceived that their Hospital did not give enough emphasis on the quality of service it provides and 69.6% of the health workers perceived that there were inadequate facilities. Educational status and place of work have shown association for the perception of health workers towards institutional structure while position was the only predictor for perception of health workers towards institutional leadership. Conclusion and Recommendation: Seeing the overall perception of health workers towards institutional structure and leadership was very low, promoting health workers based on their performance and strengthening Facilities infrastructure is decisive

ASSESSMENT OF PHARMACEUTICAL STORE MANAGEMENT IN WOREDA HEALTH OFFICES OF WEST HARARGHE ZONE, ETHIOPIA

In order to ensure the prompt availability in adequate quantity of drugs at the time of need, they must be kept ready in stock. This requires good pharmaceutical store management and planning. The main purpose of this study was to assess the pharmaceutical store management practices in Habro, Darolebu, Odabultum, Gemechis and Chiro Woreda Health office pharmaceutical stores, West Hararghe Zone, Ethiopia. A district based prospective crosssectional study design was conducted using check lists prepared based on WHO criteria to assess the pharmaceutical store management. A total of five Woreda health office pharmaceutical stores were included in the study with response rate of 100 %. In all (n = 5) of the study stores, there were no fire extinguisher, ladder, refrigerator/ freezer/, ventilators, wall thermometers and computer. All the study stores had adequate lighting, functional locks, protected from direct sun light, roof ceiling and windows in a good repair and 4 of them were dry, adequately ventilated and shady. The study findings show that the drug storage, arrangement and issuing practice were found good in Habro, Darolebu and Gemechis and Chiro store but poor in odabultum store. There were no sufficient storage and reception area, in Habro, Darolebu and Odabultum, shelves in Habro, Odabultum and Chiro and floor pallets in Gemechis, Odabultum and Chiro stores. Bin cards and stock cards were used only in Habro and Chiro stores. There were no means of maintaining and recording the room temperature of the drug store in all of the study stores.

Assessment of common bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) seed quality produced under different cropping systems by smallholder farmers in eastern Ethiopia

One of the major causes of low yield of common bean in Ethiopia is the shortage and/or inaccessibility of high quality seed. In the Hararghe highlands of eastern Ethiopia, farmers often use common bean seeds produced both under sole crop and intercrop systems. This study was carried out to investigate the physical, physiological and health qualities of common bean seed produced under sole crop and intercrop systems by smallholder farmers of three districts of West Hararghe zone, Eastern Ethiopia. Samples from seed retained for 2011 main cropping season planting were collected from 100 households and tested using standard laboratory procedures. Results indicated that seeds obtained from sole crop were different from those obtained from intercrop system in physical purity and percentage of pathogen infected seeds whereas the physiological quality related characteristics were similar between the two cropping systems. With a mean pure seed proportion of above 98%, all seed samples obtained from sole and intercrop cropping systems met the national seed standard for common bean seed (95%). About 20 and 50% seed samples obtained from intercrop and sole crop, respectively, had seed moisture content below the minimum national standard for common bean seed (12%). Standard germination of seeds of both cropping systems exhibited a wide range of variation with a mean of 75 and 84% for sole crop and intercrop originated seeds, respectively. Common bacterial blight ( Xanthomonas campestris pv. phaseoli ) and Aspergillus flavus were the most common bacterial and fungal diseases associated with the seed samples. Higher percentage of CBB infection was found for sole seeds relative to those obtained from intercrops. It is concluded that in areas where agricultural land is limited, farmers can produce and use common bean seed of acceptable quality produced under sole and intercropping systems provided that appropriate production and post-harvest management practices are followed.

English

Transforming the subsistence-oriented production system into a market-oriented production system as a way to increase the smallholder farmer’s income and reduce rural poverty has been in the policy spotlight of many developing countries, including Ethiopia. However, there are no adequate studies in Ethiopia, particularly, in study area of West Hararghe zone that focusing on the determinants of smallholder commercialization in horticultural crops. This study has identified household level determinants of the output side commercialization decision and level of commercialization in horticultural crops in Gemechis district, West Hararghe zone, Oromia National Regional State of Ethiopia. The study used cross-sectional data obtained from a sample of 160 smallholder horticultural farmers selected randomly from four peasant associations in the district. A double hurdle model was applied to analyze the determinants of the commercialization decision and level of commercialization. In first hurdle, the result of Probit Regression Model revealed that, gender, distance to the nearest market, and cultivated land played a significant role in smallholder commercialization decision. In the second hurdle, the result of Truncated Regression Model revealed that, household education, household size, access to irrigation, cultivated land, livestock, and distance to the nearest market were the key determinants of the level of commercialization. Synthesis of double hurdle model result showed that farm size and distance to the nearest market were cross-cutting determinants of smallholder horticultural crops commercialization. The study recommends the need for designing appropriate intervention mechanisms focusing on the abovementioned factors so as to improve the performance of horticultural crops commercialization. Key words: Smallholder, commercialization, market participation, double hurdle.

Colonist Land‐Allocation Decisions, Land Use, and Deforestation in the Ecuadorian Amazon Frontier

As one of the last agricultural frontiers of the humid tropics, Amazonia is the largest area of the world currently undergoing frontier settlement. Although the earliest intrusions of foreign populations into Amazonia date from pre-Hispanic times, the large-scale entrance of peasant colonists into the vast region is a recent phenomenon. Much of this movement represents the spontaneous migration of peoples, but governments in the region have also become increasingly interested in opening up and integrating Amazonia to national and international economies. These actions are frequently seen as potential solutions to a number of national problems, including the need to increase agricultural production, correct spatial imbalances in the distribution of population, exploit frontier lands for reasons of national security, and defuse potentially serious political problems resulting from the existing agrarian structure, landlessness, and unemployment. The upper basin of the Amazon in Ecuador, bordering on the eastern slopes of the Andes, is one such area of frontier settlement. Recent decades have witnessed the rapid conversion of these Amazonian forests to agricultural uses through a series of schemes bearing such labels as land development and colonization. Most forest intervention in the region has come at the hands of colonist farmers attempting to establish land claims along transport routes originally constructed to aid in petroleum exploration and exploitation. These are farmers who formerly have made a living in long-established farmlands and who, for various reasons (population pressures, pervasive poverty, maldistribution of farmland, lack of inputs for intensive cultivation, lack of nonagrarian livelihood opportunities, and generally inadequate rural development) have been increasingly squeezed out of their homelands. A marginal person by virtue of his low socioeconomic and political status, the farmer often perceives