Wolaita Zone Research Articles

Challenges of smallholder farmers in accessing agricultural information in Southern Ethiopia

Abstract: The study was focused on identifying sources of agricultural information and analyzing challenges faced by smallholder farmers in accessing agricultural information in Southern Ethiopia. To achieve the stated objectives the study district was selected purposively from Wolaita zone by selecting five kebeles randomly. At the end, a total of 150 sample households were randomly selected from these five kebeles. To collect the data both primary and secondary sources were used for the purpose of this study. Primary data were collected directly from sample respondents through structured and semi-structured interview schedules, observation and focus group discussions. Secondary data were collected from Woreda agriculture and rural development office report, and other relevant books, journal articles and the Internet. After the relevant data were collected, the descriptive statistics such as mean, frequency, and percentage, and the inferential statistics such as chi-square tests were also used. The findings indicate that female farmers, illiteracy, location of market center, information seeking behavior of farmers, low rate of extension-farmers linkages, inadequate operational skill of aids, language barriers, lack of training, lack of rural electrification, lack of development agents, absence of rural networks, inadequate reading materials, and inappropriate time of broadcasting are the main challenges smallholder farmers were faced with. Therefore, to overcome the challenges strong commitment and reformation should be done in the study area by the concerned stakeholders.

Technical Efficiency of Moringa Production: A case Study in Wolaita and Gamo Zones, Southern Ethiopia

Moringa has been becoming among vastly growing and trading commodities in different parts of Ethiopia for its multiple benefits. However, empirical researches analyzing its productivity at smallholder farmer level were missing. This study aimed to fill the existing gap with a cross-sectional survey study on sampled 117 Moringa producer farmers from southern Ethiopia. The Stochastic Frontier Model was used to estimate the level and factors determining the technical efficiency of Moringa production. The collected data fitted Cobb-Douglas production function with inputs, labor and the numbers of trees positively and significantly determined the output of Moringa. An estimated level of efficiency shows farmers have the possibility to increase Moringa output by 47.81% with existing inputs and technology. The land, off-farm activities, access to road, credit, and irrigation were significant factors affecting the technical efficiency of Moringa. It requires policies and development actions to perform on mechanisms to advance the production of Moringa. Hence, any development direction to enhance Moringa production should consider households with limited access to land and irrigation. Furthermore, the development of road infrastructure is required to increase agricultural productivity. In sum, modern credit institutions, as well as facilities, found essential to improve the livelihood of Moringa producers in the area.

Response of Seed Rates and Row Spacing on Growth, Yield and Yield Components of Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Crop

The main goal of this review study is to provide an overview of wheat production management requirements in general and specifically in Ethiopia, comparing with current research trends and to make some recommendations on the appropriate seed rates for growth, yields, and grain quality wheat. This paper reviewed that application of a well-balanced seed rates under optimum environment availability of which may help in improving growth, yield and grain quality of wheat. To optimize seed rate and plant density of wheat, some experiments have conducted so far across most wheat growing areas of Ethiopia. The field experiments were carried out in different times at Kulumsa Agricultural Research Center from July to November 2012 and from June to November 2018 cropping seasons. Four varieties (Digalu, Dandea, Kekeba and Shorima) and five seed rates (100, 125, 150, 175, 200 kg ha-1) The experiment was laid out as a randomized complete block design with a factorial arrangement and replicated three times. On the hand, in the 2018 cropping season, three bread wheat varieties (Shorima, Dendea and Hidassie representing different seed sizes of small, medium, large respectively and four plant populations of 250, 300, 350 and 400 seeds m-2 were tested. Four levels of seed rates (75, 100, 125 and 150 kg/ha) and three row spacing (20, 25and 30 cm) were tried. the same type of experimental studies with the same nature of objectives were also carried out during the 2015 main cropping season at Awtaro Woreda, Wolaita Zone, The result of the experiments showed significant difference for number of tillers, plant height, grain yield, and seed test weight. But using of different row spacing had no significant effect on parameters that have been taken except the plant height; however plant height, number of tiller per plant, spikelet per spike, grains per spike, biological yield, grain yield & straw were significantly affected by different seed rate. But since the current results are gained from just one crop in some limited districts, conducting repetitive field experiments on different crops other than wheat at the wide-ranging of regions in the national level is suggested in order to confirm the current results on different crops & in the entire farming lands of the country. Keywords: Plant Population, Row Spacing, Seed Rate, Variety, Wheat Yield DOI: 10.7176/JNSR/10-3-05 Publication date: February 29 th 2020

Knowledge, Attitude and Practice Towards Cervical Cancer Screening Among Women and Associated Factors in Hospitals of Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia.

BackgroundCervical cancer is a worldwide public health concern, and approximately 85% of deaths occurs in developing countries. Thus study is designed to assess knowledge, attitude, and practice towards cervical cancer screening in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia.MethodsWe conducted a facility-based cross-sectional study. In this research, we used a multi-stage sampling procedure to select 520 participants. Information on socio-demographics, knowledge, attitude, and cervical cancer screening related questionnaires were collected using face-to-face interviews. Data were entered and cleaned in Epi-Data version 3.1 and exported to SPSS version 20 for analysis. For the analysis, we used logistic regression along with odds ratios and 95% confidence intervals. The statistical significance was determined by p <0.05.ResultsApproximately 154 (43.1%) of women had good knowledge, 235 (45.5%) had a favorable attitude, and nearly a quarter (118; 22.9%) had been screened for cervical cancer. Women 30–34 years [AOR=3.02, 95% CI: 1.11, 8.24), women with degree/diploma level of education [AOR=7.3, 95% CI 2.53–21.01), and having sourced information from a health professional [AOR=2.3, 95% CI: 1.27–4.17) were associated with good knowledge of cervical cancer screening. Being single [AOR=3.47, 95% CI: 1.03–11.75] and good knowledge of cervical cancer [AOR=4.76, 95%:2.65–8.57) were significant predictors of a positive attitude towards cervical cancer screening. Women who knew cervical cancer patients[AOR=2.47, 95% (1.37–4.44)] and high monthly income [AOR=3.8, 95% CI: 1.86–7.77] were associated with good practice related to cervical cancer screening.ConclusionKnowledge, attitude, and practice towards cervical cancer screening were shallow. The concerned body should aggressively disseminate information on cervical cancer screening, improve the economic status of women, and provide counseling about cervical cancer during health care delivery visits.

The Assessment of Problems and Practices of Human Resource Management in Wolaita Zone Secondary Schools

The major purpose of the study was to undertake the assessment of human resource management practices in general secondary &amp; preparatory schools of wolayta Zone, thereby to investigate as to how the current practices of HRM and to give recommendation for problems that may be identified so as to improve the existing situation. A descriptive survey method was employed to the current status of teaching staff management in the selected secondary &amp; preparatory schools.The required information was gathered through the use of questionnaire, interview and document analysis. Different models of tools like percentage, and average mean were used to make analysis of data obtained from the respondents under the study.The findings indicated that the selected schools faced problems due to inappropriate planning of the teaching staff which must be prepared in advance. Furthermore. REB, ZEO and WEOs lacked appropriate recruitment and selection procedures and much attention was not given to the secondary &amp; preparatory school teaching staff managing in general. Teacher were less informed or with no information about their strengths and weaknesses through performance appraisal process conducted periodically and low rate of usage performance appraisal result for further placement, rewards, promotion or punishment. As a result, there were high teaching staff turnover in the Zone. DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-4-05 Publication date: February 29 th 2020

Male involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness for emergency referral at Sodo town of Wolaita zone, South Ethiopia: a cross sectional study

BackgroundPreventable maternal mortality remains a huge burden more especially in sub-Saharan Africa. The involvement of male partner during pregnancy and its complication helps an expectant mother to make timely decisions to avoid delays that brings about complications that could result in morbidity or mortality.MethodsInstitution based cross sectional study was conducted in 2017, at Sodo Town of Wolaita Zone among mothers who came to hospital and admitted to MCH department due to emergency obstetric referral. Data were collected using pre-tested and structured questionnaire. The collected data entered by Epi data, cleaned and analyzed by using SPSS for windows version 23.0. A descriptive analysis was done using frequency, mean, quartile and standard deviation. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression was carried out to identify the associated factors. Level of statistical significance was declared at p value < 0.05. Finally the results of Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analysis were presented in crude and adjusted odds ratio with 95% confidence intervals.ResultData were obtained from 233 women, with a response rate of 100%. The prevalence of male partner’s involvement in birth preparedness and complication redness for emergency referral in this study was 30.9%. After adjusting for the effect of confounding variables using multivariable logistic regression, variables like distance of health facility (AOR = 0.29, 95%CI = 0.12, 0.72), having ANC follow-up (AOR = 2.9, 95%CI = 1.52–5.51) and experience of obstetric complication (AOR = 1.79, 95%CI = 1.06–3.04) have statistically significant association with male partner’s involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness for obstetric referral.ConclusionIn general, male partner’s involvement in birth preparedness and complication readiness for obstetric referral in the study area was low. Antenatal care attending and experiencing of obstetric complication were factors determining male partner’s involvement in complication readiness. Health care professionals should involve male partners to attend ANC clinic at each stage and arrange special antenatal care conferences which may increase awareness and practice about complication readiness and plan.

Application of Knowledge Management Approach on Agricultural Development in Developing Countries

Agriculture is a core stone of the economy for the most of the developing countries in the world, and it is going to be fundamental base for further development of the other sectors as well. Nowadays, we can witness a period of dynamic changes and transformations that affect the rural areas in particular and the society in general. Today, Ethiopian agriculture is transforming from subsistence farming into market oriented sector of economy. Thus, leveraging knowledge is an essential element for the transformation of Ethiopian agriculture from subsistence farming into commercially successful sector. The main objective of the research study is to identify the current level of managing tacit and explicit knowledge by smallholders, and to examine the application of the Nonaka’s knowledge management approach in the agriculture of the developing countries. The study was conducted in the Wolaita Zone in Southern Nations Nationalities and Peoples Region (SNNPR) of Ethiopia covering 21 rural districts and 3 urban districts. Among them only 3 districts, such as Humbo, Areka from Boloso Sore Woreda and Boditti from Damot Gale Woreda, have been selected for this research study. In the total, 128 farmers were selected by using simple random sampling method. The research findings were measured and interpreted based on quantitative and qualitative data institution process techniques. The study concluded that despite the education level of the smallholder farmers integration of new technologies is in need. It is also recommended to create a possible model of linking appropriat knowledge with responsible institution for successful KM process in the country for further development.

Sexual Harassment and Associated Factors Among Female Student of All Preparatory Schools in Sodo Town, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Background: Sexual harassment is a common problem among the lives of women and became a public health problem all over the world. Almost all females encounter sexual harassment in many different forms. Ethiopia is one among the countries which faces this problem, however limited studies has been conducted in this regard in the country as well as in the study area. Objective: This study was conducted to assess sexual harassment and associated factors among female students of preparatory schools in Sodo Town, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Methods: School-based cross sectional study design was employed. Simple random sampling method was carried out to select study participants from both 11th and 12th grades. Data were collected using Self-administered questionnaire among purposely selected female students of the school. The collected data was checked for completeness and consistency. Data entry was done using Epi info version 3.5.1 then the data were exported to SPSS version 20 statistical software for analysis. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression analyses were used Result: The prevalence of sexual harassment among the study participant was 32.6 % (95 % CI: 28, 36). Educated fathers, 53.0% (AOR=0.470, CI=0.230, 0.962), students who lived with mothers only (AOR=2.202, CI=1.302, 3.725), sexual jocks (AOR=1.586, CI=1.013, 2.484), relationship between teachers and students, 70.3% (AOR=0.297, CI=0.198, 0.446) and orienting students about sexual harassment either in school or other organization 34.2% (AOR=0.676, CI=0.493, 0.925) was significantly associated with sexual harassment. Conclusion &amp; Recommendation: There is high prevalence of sexual harassment in the study area. As the result, concerned bodies have to make school environment free from sexual harassment for female students working on prevention and designing strategies, capacitating parents through training or orientation, empowering healthy relationship among students for mutual benefit. . Keywords: Females, Sodo town, School, Sexual harassment

Knowledge, Attitude, and Associated Factors towards Colostrum Feeding among Antenatal Care Attendant Mothers in Gununo Health Centre, Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia 2019: Cross-Sectional Study.

Background The role of colostrum in promoting the growth and development of the newborn as well as fighting infections is widely acknowledged. In Ethiopia, there are differences in cultures in the acceptability of colostrum and the prevalence of colostrum feeding. Although breastfeeding is a common practice in Ethiopia, there is a difference in the awareness and attitude of pregnant mothers regarding colostrum feeding. Objectives To assess knowledge, attitude, and associated factors towards colostrum feeding among antenatal care attendant mothers in Gununo Health Center, South Ethiopia, 2019. Methods Facility-based cross-sectional study design was conducted among 342 ANC (antenatal care) attendant mothers in Gununo Health Center from April to May 2019. Data was collected by using structured interviewer questionnaires and the subjects were selected through systematic random sampling. Data template was prepared by Epi data-manger version 4.2 and SPSS version 23 was used for analysis. Bivariate and multivariate analysis with 95% CI was employed. Variables found to have a p-value < 0.2 in the binary logistic regression were entered into multivariate analysis and strength of association was declared at p-value < 0.2 in the binary logistic regression were entered into multivariate analysis and strength of association was declared at Results Among the study participants 226 (66.1%) were knowledgeable and 39 (11.4%) were not knowledgeable on colostrum feeding. From the respondents, 239 (69.9%) had a positive attitude and the rest 103 (30.1%) mothers had a negative attitude towards colostrum feeding. Respondents who had more than four children (AOR = 1.21, 95% CI [1.31, 2.47], ANC visit (four times and above) (AOR=2.8, 95% CI [2.23, 4.49]), and counseled about colostrum feeding (AOR = 2.29, 95% CI [2.34, 3.74]), were some variables that significantly associated with knowledge of colostrum feeding. Those who had been counseled about breastfeeding (AOR = 1.16, 95% CI [1.59–3.96]), ANC visit (AOR = 11.32, 95% CI [1.14, 112.64]), and multiparas (AOR = 5.68, 95% CI [1.57, 20.53]) were some variables that significantly associated with attitude. Conclusion and Recommendation. Even though the mothers' knowledge and attitude seem higher than from previously conducted articles in Ethiopia, still gaps were seen clearly on colostrum feeding in the area. It is recommended to set strategies to promote colostrum feeding.

A Study on Factors Affecting Labour Productivity on Construction Projects in Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia

A Study on Factors Affecting Labour Productivity on Construction Projects in Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia

Maternal Satisfaction and Associated Factors Among Pregnant Women Attended at Antenatal Care Service in Bedessa Health Center, Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia, 2018

Background: Client satisfaction is indispensable for further advancement of the quality of focused antenatal care service and women's satisfaction has been directly linked to the quality of services given. This is essential to meet specific client needs and to provide uniform health care services for pregnant women. Objective:-To assess maternal satisfaction and associated factors among pregnant women attending Antenatal care service in Bedessa Health center, Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia, 2018. Methods: Facility-based cross-sectional study using quantitative methods was conducted among 387 pregnant women’s. Subjects were selected using systematic random sampling technique. Data were coded, cleaned and entered by using Epi info version 7.2 and analyzed using SPSS version 20, and Bivariate and multiple logistic regression were carried out to identify factors associated with client satisfaction on antenatal care services and strength of association were declared at significance level of 0.05. Result: More than half of the respondents (64.1%) were satisfied with the service that they received. Those pregnant mothers who were merchants were three times more likely satisfied than housewife’s (AOR=2.649, 95%CI: 1.008, 6.96). Mothers who had first visit ANC were almost three times more likely satisfied than those who had a fourth visit (AOR=2.85, 95%CI: 1.383, 5.90) and mothers who had second visits were two times more likely satisfied than those who had four visits (AOR=2.14, 95%CI: 1.09, 4.21). Conclusions and Recommendation: The level of satisfaction was lower compared to other studies. Client feedback should be recognized as a legitimate method of evaluating health services in the health center as a whole.

Integrated Weed Management in Common Bean (Phaseolus vulgaris L.) at Wolaita Sodo, Southern Ethiopia

Common bean production is severely infested by weeds in Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia. Field experiment was conducted to assess the integrated effect of different weed management practices and herbicides on the growth and yield of common bean in 2014 at Wolaita Sodo. The experiment comprises of fifteen treatments which included two herbicides (MET and PEN ) applied as pre-emergence alone and in different combinations, HWH, weedy check all with and without mulching and weed free check laid out in randomized block design with three replications. Weed community recorded included 55.6% broadleaved, 33.3% grass and 11.1% sedge. The density of broadleaved, grass and sedge was significantly influenced by weed management practices both at 2 and 12 weeks after crop emergence (WAE). At 2 WAE, application of PEN 1.0 kg ha -1 + mulching resulted in significant decrease in total weed density over weedy check. At 12 WAE PEN 1.0 kg ha -1 + HWH 5 WAE significantly reduced broadleaved and total weed densities over the other treatments, while in case of grass weed, it was statistically in parity with MET 0.50 kg ha -1 + PEN 0.75 kg ha -1 + mulching, HWH at 2 and 5 WAE and HWH at 2 WAE supplemented with mulching. Weed dry weight varied significantly in response to weed management practices at 2 WAE. However, at 12 WAE this has no significant difference with PEN 1.0 kg ha -1 + HWH 5 WAE, MET 0.75 kg ha -1 + PEN 0.75 kg ha -1 + mulching and HWH at 2 and 5 WAE. Herbicide mixtures and mulching did not alter weeds infestation to a considerable level. Application of PEN 1.0 kg ha 1 + HWH 5 WAE performed better than other herbicidal treatments in enhancing days to flowering and physiological maturity and increased yield attributing characters of common bean. Keywords: Herbicides combination, mulch, PEN , preemergence, MET , weeds, yield DOI : 10.7176/JBAH/10-1-02 Publication date: January 31 st 2020

Prevalence and Identification of Major Ticks in Cattle in Damot Gale Woreda, Wolaita Zone, SNNPR, Ethiopia

Across-sectional study was designed and conducted in Damot Gale district of Wolaita zone, south Ethiopia. The major objectives of the research were: to determine the prevalence of major ixodid ticks; to identify the collected ticks into their respective species; and to assess the risk factor influencing the prevalence of tick infestation in the study area. For this purpose, 384 heads of cattle maintained under traditional management system were selected using simple random sampling statistical technique. All visible ticks were collected from half body part of selected cattle, preserved in70% alcohol and transported to WSU-SVM for subsequent identification into species, based on key standards. Questionnaire survey was conducted to collect baseline information regarding farmers’ perceptions of the effects of ticks on livestock production. The collected data were analyzed using SPSS software (Version20.1) for descriptive and inference purposed. A total of 264 ixodid ticks were collected, which belonged to of Boophilus (59.85%), Rhippicephalus (25.38%) and Amblyomma (14.77%) genera, with the overall prevalence of tick infestation to be about 6%. At species level, Boophilus decoloratus (59.85), Rhippicephalusevertsievertsi (25.38%), Amblyomma variegatum (10.61%) and Amblyommagemma (4.16%) were the hard tick species identified during the survey period. Regarding spatial distribution, these ticks had the highest prevalence at Gacheno and Chocha and the lowest prevalence at Fate district. Regression analysis indicated that the prevalence of tick infestation did not reveal significant statistical difference between male and female sex groups (p>0.05). Nevertheless, adult cattle over the age of three years were more significantly challenged by tick infestation than young cattle (P<0.05). Similarly, the prevalence of tick infestation was significantly higher (p<0.01) in cattle with poor body condition than those with medium and good body condition score. In conclusion, the present research disclosed that tick infestation due to hard tick s is responsible for considerable pathogenic impacts and economic losses due to their deleterious effects on leather industry. Based on the present findings, it is recommended that integrate tick control efforts should be implemented, and the efficacy acaricides should be detected to control the risk of drug resistance in Damot Gale district.

KAP on Obstetrics Danger Signs of Pregnancy Among ANC Attending Pregnant Mother in Gununno Health Center, Gununo Town, Wolaita Zone, Southern Ethiopia April: 2019

Danger signs of pregnancies are a warning signs that women encounter during pregnancy, child birth and postpartum. It is important, to know this warning signs for women and health care providers to rule out serious complications and initiate treatment immediately. Pregnancy is normal process that results a series of both psychological and physiological changes in pregnant mother. However pregnancy is accompanied with some problems and complications which is life threatening for mother and the fetus. Awareness of obstetric danger sign is first step in accepting appropriate and timely health care service. However there is high maternal death in developing countries due the lack of adequate awareness about danger signs of pregnancy. Yet its factors are not well known in Ethiopia where maternal mortality is high. METHODOLOGY: Descriptive cross sectional study design was conducted for assessment of KAP of obstetric danger sign among pregnant mother at Gununo town, Gununo health center from May10 to June 20, 2019. The pregnant to be interviewed was selected by systematic random sampling ANC registration book at the time of data collection. The total sample size was 420. Structured interviewer administered questionnaire was used to collect data. Data was entered in to STATA 14 statistical software for analysis. Finally, results were presented in texts, graphs and tables. RESULT: A total of 420 pregnant women were included in the study making the response rate 100%. From those who were included in the study 302 (71.56%) identified severe vaginal bleeding at any time during pregnancy as danger sign. In general 248 (58.77%) of the study participants were found to have good knowledge by scoring above the mean value. overall assessment for attitude shows 203 (48.1%) of the study participants had negative attitude by scoring the mean value and below the mean value and 60% were found to have good practice. Conclusion: Knowledge on danger signs during pregnancy is low and greater than half of respondents have unacceptable attitude. The quality of ANC care particularly health education should be evaluated. Further studies are recommended to address the gaps of knowledge and attitude.

Determinants of Access to Formal Credit in Rural Areas of Ethiopia: Case Study of Smallholder Households in Boloso Bombbe District, Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia

The majority of agricultural production in Ethiopia is carried out by smallholder farmers. Improving food security in short run and poverty in the long run has remained to be the major challenges in Sub-Saharan Africa countries especially in Ethiopia. This study required to identify determinants that limit smallholder households’ access to formal credit in the Boloso Bombbe District, South Region of Ethiopia. The study utilized cross sectional survey research design to attain the objectives. Primary and secondary data were used and analyzed by using STATA Version 14. Sample size determined by using Cochran formula and 312 households selected using multistage sampling techniques. Probit regression model was used to analyze quantitative data. The results shows that credit access was determined by the variables like Age, educational level of the smallholders, membership, extension service, saving habit, collateral, connection with local leaders and livelihood diversification. Output of the study revealed that only 36.54% of the respondents in the study area had accessed formal credit while 63.46% did not have any access to credit. This calls the government and non - governmental organizations have to be done more in credit access to improve the future productivity of smallholder agriculture in Ethiopia.

Relevance of Mother Tongue National Examinations to Mother Tongue Curriculum (Syllabus) and Textbooks: The Case of Wolaita Language in Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia

The objective of the study was to assess the relevance of mother tongue national examinations to MT curriculum, syllabus and textbooks. The participants of the study were teachers were 128. Three instruments were used to collect the data: questionnaire, interview and focus group discussion. Both qualitative and quantitative data analysis method were employed to arrive at conclusions. Thus, the research findings assured that grade-10 mother tongue (Wolaytato) national exam was not related to the textbook, syllabus and curriculum and most of the questions were not prepared from the text book, and curriculum and this affected student result in grade 10 Wolaytato national exam for many years. Accordingly, it was recommended that the school directors, wereda education office and the examination agency should work cooperatively to prepare the Wolaytato national exam according to the curriculum, text book and syllabus. The Examination Agency of Ethiopia and other stakeholders like Zone and south education department should follow that the exam includes various types of questions like listening, speaking, reading, grammar and other type of questions.

Levels of Selected Essential and Non-Essential Metals in the Soil and Ginger (&amp;lt;i&amp;gt;Zingiber officinale&amp;lt;/i&amp;gt;) Cultivated in Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia

Ginger (Zingiber officinale) is an important spice and medicinal plant used in different parts of the world. The objective of current study was to determine the level of essential and non-essential metals in ginger and its correlation with concentration of metals in the supporting soil. The level of K, Na, Ca, Mg, Mn, Fe, Zn, Cu, Co, Cd and Pb in soil and ginger cultivated in the selected districts of Wolaita zone, Southern Ethiopia were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. A 0.5 g ginger sample was digested using a mixture of 4 ml HNO3 and 1.5 ml HClO4 at 210°C for 150 minutes, and a 0.5 g soil sample was digested employing a mixture of 6 ml aqua-regia and 1 ml H2O2 at 280°C for 150 minutes. The metal concentrations range in dry weight basis for ginger samples is decreasing in the order: K (1691 - 3487 mg/kg) > Mg (701 - 1583 mg/kg) > Ca (862 - 1476 mg/kg) > Na (398 - 776 mg/kg) > Mn (325 - 672 mg/kg) > Fe (6.14 - 11.92 mg/kg) > Zn (5.30 - 10.09 mg/kg) > (0.12 - 0.23 mg/kg) for Pb. The concentration of Cd, Cu and Co in ginger samples were below the limit of detection. The results revealed that ginger has the ability to accumulate relatively higher amounts of K and Mg among the determined essential metals. The soil samples have been found to be acidic pH, sandy clay loam in texture, a very low electrical conductivity and moderate level of (CEC, organic carbon, available phosphorus and total nitrogen). Although, a positive correlation between the levels of K, Mg, Zn, Mn in ginger and soil samples were observed. All the non-essential metals analyzed in this study were below the permissible ranges set by FAO/WHO.

Contract and Control: Agrarian labour mobilisation and resistance under large-scale land investments for biofuel crop production in Ethiopia

This article explores the “agrarian question of labour” (AQ of labour) that is emerging in Ethiopia as part of a strategy of agricultural commercialisation present since the mid-2000s. We contribute to debates about the uneven character and open-ended trajectory of Ethiopia’s agrarian transformation, which is a state-led, investmentbased attempt at a transition from a largely rural, agrarian society and economy to an increasingly industrial one. The article addresses why and how agricultural commercialisation failed in the case of two overlapping and nearly identical agricultural investment projects in Hararghe and Wolaita that were financed by interlinked multinational financial groups and facilitated by the state for the production and processing of the biofuel crop castor. The state’s contractual incorporation of smallholders into these poorly planned and financially extractive large-scale land investments was met with various forms of resistance which contributed to the failure of the projects. The article points to the centrality of an unresolved agrarian question of labour as a source of tension in Ethiopia’s agrarian transformation. While literature conceptualises agricultural commercialisation in Ethiopia through a dichotomous model – state support to smallholder farming in the country’s highlands, and investment-led, large- scale commercialisation in the lowlands – in this article we emphasise the importance of contract-farming (CF) as a third mode of agricultural commercialisation. CF relies on the incorporation of smallholders, including their landholdings and labour-power, into large-scale land investment projects via out-grower schemes. This article shows that CF gained political momentum over the course of the 2000s as a commercialisation model that facilitates investments in smallholder farming (i. e. through commercialising their productive activities) without necessitating rapid changes in the agrarian social structure (i. e. by inhibiting rapid social differentiation and land dispossession of smallholders). The strategic rationale of CF was to regulate the swelling of a land-detached labour force (i. e. a precarious and politically dangerous stratum), should agro-industrial growth not proceed at a pace sufficient to absorb that force (i. e. provide employment outside smallholder agriculture). Empirically, the article relies on ethnographic fieldwork addressing the trajectories of investor-operated and state-mediated CF for castor over the course of a decade (mid-2000s to mid-2010s) in the East/West Hararghe zones of the Oromia Region and in the Wolaita zone of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples’ Region (SNNPR). Through the agency of near identical ad hoc investment companies – Flora EcoPower (FEP) in Hararghe and Global Energy Ethiopia (GEE) in Wolaita operating for about a decade since 2005 – Ethiopia’s development planners hoped that these two peripheries, which were characterised by high labour-to-land ratios, land degradation and labour out-migration, would see the commercialisation and improvement of smallholder production and livelihoods. The two case studies combined reveal that, firstly, top-down planning and implementation of CF, and the processes of subversion and resistance this engendered, played a crucial role in the ultimate failure of the investment projects. It shows that agricultural commercialisation, based on the state’s coercive contractual incorporation of smallholders into large-scale land deals, can lead to a backlash that undermines the state’s development(al) strategies. Secondly, the legacy that the failure of the projects left behind, added fuel to an already politicised fire surrounding the labour question, i. e. the extent to which the attempted agricultural transformation to commercialised agro-industrial production can sufficiently diversify incomes and offer employment opportunities to offset social ills and political grievances. Thirdly, the two cases of CF reveal the same land and labour exploitative logic behind investments that prioritise quick returns over long-term planning and thereby disregard the local socio-economic and ecological conditions in which they intervene. Despite their specificities, we conclude that the two cases cast a shadow on the ostensive capacity of the Ethiopian state to mitigate the adversities and contradictions of investment-based, state-mediated agricultural commercialisation through CF. Beside the economic significance of failed agricultural investment projects, the protests that followed silent subversions in Wolaita and Hararghe marked an additional point of rupture in the relationship between government and farmers. This is particularly significant as, since the EPRDF came to power in the 1990s, the leadership has always capitalised on smallholders’ support as a central social constituency.

Determinants of Non-Farm Employment and Farm Production of Small Holder Farmers in Huambo District of Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia

Non-farm employment provides an important potential source of income for many landless and near-landless households in Ethiopia. The study identified household level determinants of non-farm activity participation in Humbo District of Wolaita Zone, Ethiopia using cross-sectional data obtained from 118 randomly selected farmers in 2018 production year. To achieve this objective, a binary logit model was used to analyze the determinants of participation in non-farm activities. 14 Variables were included in the model of which 5 variables were found significant. Training on entrepreneurship &amp; input use were significant at 1 %, credit use &amp; cultivated land were significant at 5% significance level and Age was significant at 10% significance level. Policy implication of this study was that the rural development strategy should not only emphasis in increasing agricultural production but affiliated attention should be given in promoting non-farm activities in the rural areas, accessing training on non-agricultural sector will expand the household’s choice of non-farm activities and the rural policy would do well to provide better access to credit for the rural people by motivating micro-finance institutions. Keywords: Non-farm Employment, Logit Model, Humbo, Ethiopia. DOI : 10.7176/DCS/10-1-03 Publication date: January 31 st 2020

Impact of Service Quality on Customer Satisfaction in Insurance Companies: A Study Conducted on Wolaita Zone

Insurance industry should become one part of solution of sustainable economic growth in the future, however, in order to retain and keep more investors and business owners, Insurance companies must have a greater service quality to satisfy and more wide range of different customer satisfactions regarded to insurance service. The objective of this study was investigating the impact of service quality on customer satisfaction in the insurance companies of Wolaita Zone. In order to do this, a causal cross sectional research study was conducted. A sample of 352 customers was selected using cluster sampling technique. For the purpose of the study primary data were collected from customers using likert scale based questionnaire, then the data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and inferential statistics.SPSS software 20.00 was used to analyze the primary data.Findings from the analysis revealed that out of the five dimensions of the SERVQUAL dimension three i.e., tangibles, reliability, Assurance and empathy had high significant impact on customer satisfaction in insurance companies in Wolaita zone. Keywords : Service quality, Tangibility, Reliability, Responsiveness, Assurance, Empathy, and customer satisfaction. DOI : 10.7176/JMCR/63-01 Publication date: December 31 st 2019