Search

Briquetted biomass, like sugarcane bagasse, a by-product of sugar mills, is a renewable energy source. This study aimed at the production and characterization of bagasse briquettes. The production of briquettes was carried out with different blending ratios (5, 10, and 15%) and average particle sizes (0.75, 2.775, and 4.8 mm) with various binders of cow dung, waste paper, and admixture (molasses and wastepaper). The bagasse underwent drying, size reduction, sieving, binder addition, and densification using a manual press during the briquetting process. Characterization of the physical and combustion parameters of briquettes, such as density, shatter resistance, proximate, and calorific value, followed the American Society for Testing and Materials procedures. The result shows that the maximum density of briquettes was 0.804 g/cm3, while shatter resistance varied from 83.051 to 94.975% (4.8mm, 5% cow dung and 0.75mm, 5% admixture binders respectively). ANOVA analysis showed that the factors and their interactions had a significant influence (p value < 0.05) on the physical properties. The optimum parameters of briquettes achieved were 14.953% admixture binder, 0.776 mm particle size, 0.805 g/cm3 density, and 95.811% shatter resistance. Bagasse briquettes with a 5% cow dung binder achieved a high calorific value of 39927.05 kcal/kg. The ultimate analysis revealed a composition of 47.49% carbon (C), 5.133% hydrogen (H), 1.557% nitrogen (N), 0.374% sulfur (S), and 45.446% oxygen (O). Therefore, bagasse has a high calorific value and can be used for briquetting to replace fossil fuel and firewood in different applications. In addition, due to its availability, utilizing as fuel source has economic advantage. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Mushroom cultivation is an economically feasible bio-technological process for conversion of various lignocellulosic wastes. The aim of this study was to evaluate the suitability of waste paper supplemented with corn stalk and wheat bran for oyster mushroom cultivation. Pure culture of Oyster mushroom (Pleurotus ostreatus (Jacq.: Fr.) Kummer) was purchased from YB Plant Micropropagation Plc; Mekelle, Ethiopia. Then, the pure culture was used as inoculum for spawn preparation using sorghum prepared in Microbiology laboratory, Department of Biology, Aksum University. Waste paper supplemented with corn stalk and wheat bran with 0%, 25% and 50% were prepared. The substrates were mixed with the spawn that has been inoculated with pure culture of oyster mushroom aseptically for their productivity and biological efficiency (BE) for cultivation of P. ostreatus mushroom. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 20. Higher (26.20 ± 19.36) mean weight, pileus diameter (7.90 ± 2.66 cm), total yield (646.4 ± 273.1 g) and BE (64.64 ± 273%) were obtained from waste paper (50%) supplemented with cornstalk (25%) and wheat bran (25%). And lower (17.92 ± 81.95%) BE were obtained from waste paper (100%). Moreover, the highest (3.88 ± 0.32 cm) mean stalk length was obtained from waste paper (50%) supplemented with corn stalk (50%). This study revealed that waste paper supplemented with corn stalk and wheat bran resulted in high BE and total yield. Thus, utilization of waste paper appears to be a promising alternative for the cultivation of oyster mushroom when supplemented with other substrates. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Heavy metals are among the major contaminants of vegetables. A study was conducted at Wonji Gefersa farms where paper wastewater is used for cultivation of vegetable crops. Four vegetable samples, namely Swiss chard, carrot, tomato, green pepper, as well as paper wastewater were examined for heavy metal [Lead (Pb), Zinc (Zn), Cadmium (Cd), Iron (Fe), Copper (Cu), Chromium (Cr) and Cobalt (Co)] contamination using atomic absorption spectroscopy. The levels of Pb, Cd and Cr in paper wastewater were all above the safe limit for FAO standards for wastewater quality for irrigation. The concentration of Pb in Swiss chard and Green peeper was exceeded the permissible limits. The study reveals that Pb metal contamination in the study area which poses health risk with time unless an urgent step is taken by relevant agencies to address this issue. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2007/2008, a triple crisis of food, fuel and finance sparked a global rush for agricultural land; tens of millions of hectares were acquired, primarily by foreign investors, within countries in the Global South. Amidst those transactions, intergovernmental organizations, national governments, investors, and community members envisioned what "success" of such investments entails. Although not explicitly defined, each stakeholder had different conceptualizations and measures of it, based upon the descriptions used and desired outcomes sought. Despite a large amount of literature analyzing the global rush for land, as far as we are aware no one has analyzed the diverse viewpoints about what success entails. This paper compares conceptualizations among four key stakeholder groups, based on ideal types from dominant narratives, and develops a typology of ideal stakeholder framing of success to allow comparisons of uses and thereby provide a foundation for researchers who are assessing the global land rush. This paper provides clarity about widely used, but inconsistently defined, framing providing an important foundation for clarity of meaning and comparative differences between stakeholders. The typology advances the discourse on the land rush by providing nuance to this widely used framing and makes explicit its diverse meanings. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

There are ongoing calls in the humanitarian and development sectors to localise aid, make it more participatory and involve communities. A common response to these calls by INGOs and national governments is to work with local actors to jointly deliver local, community-based, participatory aid. However, this setup tends to be hierarchical, with external actors taking the lead on project design and local actors on implementation. As a result, key outcomes envisioned for localisation and participation in aid often do not materialise. This paper explores the role legitimacy work plays in maintaining this unhelpful status quo. To this end, it provides a qualitative case study analysis of an aid project in Ethiopia (2016–2020) that was initiated by two INGOs and built on government structures designed to facilitate mass volunteering at community level: the Women's Development Army. The paper argues that externally driven localisation is often organised around project models that are shaped by two contradictory paradigms: one centring resilience and one centring surveillance. As a result, local aid workers and civil servants are faced with incompatible legitimacy requirements in their work. This paper uses a paradox perspective as a theoretical lens to explore how these local actors navigate these conflicting needs. It finds that they use impression management, especially visuals and performances, to sidestep the contradictions. This imagery conceals the disconnects between project strategy, implementation and the reality on the ground. As a side effect, it renders the problems with the externally driven approach invisible and legitimises the hierarchical status quo. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In accordance with the culture and environment, vernacular architecture has provided suitable solutions. People are looking for more environmentally friendly structures in today's globalized world. To comprehend the sustainable qualities of indigenous housing tradition, thus it is important to look back in time. This article has used the idea of sustainable development to evaluate the worth of Gurage, an Ethiopian traditional architecture. The indigenous architecture of the Gurage communities is constructed in line with the community's history, culture, and surroundings. In light of this, the research investigates traditional houses and the socio-cultural practices of the locals that promote resilience. In order to find a scientific basis and encourage its implementation in the future, this paper analyzes the architectural expression in Gurage, holistically in light of the knowledge and experience of the local populace. Using a phenomenological research design and a qualitative research approach that involves observation, key informant interviews (20), and focused group discussions (3) with carefully chosen participants, an explanation for the vernacular architecture of the study areas was established. The outcome of the paper reveals how much the rich vernacular traditions of the study site are still relevant today in creating an environmentally and culturally sustainable settlement. It implies that the traditional building practices and cultural heritage of the Gurage people can contribute to the development of a sustainable settlement that is both environmentally friendly and culturally appropriate. By expressing concern about these issues, it highlights the importance of taking proactive measures to safeguard the environment, preserve cultural heritage, and ensure a sustainable future for generations to come. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, an experimental evaluation of a newly developed flat plate double pass solar air heater combined with aluminum cans for drying red pepper was presented. The proposed solar dryer system was designed, modeled, and evaluated. Solar air heater trials were carried out using the absorber's top and bottom plate and aluminum cans for red pepper drying at Bahir Dar, Ethiopia. To test the solar dryer, 100 pieces of red paper were obtained from the Bahir Dar region of Ethiopia for the purpose of experimentation. Microsoft Excel was used to perform statistical analysis of eleven mathematical models. The results show that the mixed-mode solar greenhouse dryer takes less time to dry red pepper than the open solar dryer. In the midday, the solar insolation reached 973 W/m2 and the minimum solar insolation was 220 W/m2 and air is expelled at a rate of 0.0383 kg/s. According to the experimental results, the dryers chamber temperature ranged from 30.9 to 54 °C, while the ambient temperature was between 22.6 and 28.2 °C. The mixed-mode double pass achieves up to 46% and 28% efficiency when used with aluminum can dryers and conventional open sun dryers, respectively. A drying rate of 0.0003395 kg/s was achieved for the open sun dryer system and 0.0000365 kg/s for the mixed mode solar dryer. Using mixed-mode and open-sun solar dryers, the logarithmic model was found to be most effective in explaining the red pepper behavior. Furthermore, a comparison was made between the experimental and predicted moisture ratios through the calculation of the coefficient of determination (R2), the reduced chi-square (X2), and the root mean square error (RMSE). The results show that the logarithmic model achieved the highest value of the correlation coefficient (R2), which was determined to be 0.9978 and 0.9989, while the logarithmic model achieved the lowest value of Chi-square (X2). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Urbanization is occurring at an unprecedented rate in developing countries like Ethiopia, especially with the rapid growth of industrialization. However, this urbanization and industrial development surge puts immense pressure on preparing and implementing city spatial plans. Urban spatial planning plays a crucial role in shaping the development of cities, aiming to create livable and sustainable urban development. The plan-making process and its subsequent implementation often encounter challenges that hinder the realization of planned objectives. Galan and Dukem, cities near Addis Ababa's capital, have seen substantial industrial investment in recent decades. This article explores the challenges associated with urban spatial planning and industrial development while proposing alternative approaches. The paper relies on information gathered from primary and secondary sources, including expert surveys and key informants' interviews. The research highlights that industrial developments have led to significant and uncontrolled changes in urban land use and urbanization in the study areas. Due to the lack of clear planning guidelines and institutional capacity, the study cities are experiencing haphazard development without effective urban spatial plans. Proximity to Addis Ababa has driven the urbanization process through increased investments. The article contends that effective management of urbanization and industrialization can create enjoyable living conditions and foster job growth. Macroeconomic policies, including industrial policies, should pay attention to spatial elements and prevent policy-making processes that are "space-blind". This, however, requires clairvoyance and a high level of expertise, integrating inputs from advocacy planning and community participation to bridge gaps and ensure effective urban spatial plans and industrialization processes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides evidence on whether the relationship between imported inputs and productivity in Ethiopia depends on foreign ownership. The study uses a nationally representative firm-level unbalanced panel dataset for the period 1996–2016. Methodologically, this paper adopts two complementary empirical approaches: the Gandhi, Navarro, and Rivers (2020; henceforth GNR) two-step approach for estimating the gross output production function and the system GMM approach for estimating the gross output production function. Our results indicate that the use of imported inputs enhances productivity among manufacturing firms with foreign ownership. For domestically owned firms, the effect of imported inputs is relatively small and marginally significant. We thus find evidence that foreign-owned firms have a premium in terms of productivity gains from the use of imported inputs, compared to domestically owned firms. Our results suggest that reducing trade barriers for imported inputs will benefit foreign-owned firms more than domestically owned firms. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

For decades, international communities have developed poverty measures to inform needs assessment and aid allocation. Building on these efforts, this paper examines the discrepancies between global poverty measures and brings that analysis to bear on identifying the salient dimensions of poverty. First, a comparison is made between the monetary and capability approaches to poverty and identifies comparable indices: the poverty headcount ratio (P0) and the multidimensional poverty headcount ratio (H), respectively. The paper then describes the degree of discrepancy between P0 and H for 102 developing countries from 2010 to 2019, synthesizing data from the Multidimensional Poverty Index, the World Development Indicators, and OECD aid activity. Next, the position of countries are analyzed with respect to the fitted line of the two measures, classifying countries into either income-poor or capability-poor categories. Findings suggest that countries such as Pakistan and Ethiopia, for example, experience capability poverty while Malawi and Mozambique experience income poverty. Finally, I examine whether sector aid composition corresponds to a country's relative income and poverty status, finding that capability-poor countries receive marginally higher social sectoral aid compared to economic sector aid. This study suggests that the discrepancies between measures of international poverty can be used to target, monitor, and evaluate global aid distribution. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Despite significant advances in synthetic medicine, medicinal plants are still widely utilized to treat peptic ulcer disease. This study synthesized evidence on commonly used medicinal plants to manage peptic ulcer disease in Ethiopia. Methods: The evidence was synthesized using electronic databases such as PubMed/Medline, Web of Science, Science Direct, Hinari, and Google Scholar. This review considers all controlled in vivo and ex vivo anti-ulcer studies evaluating Ethiopian medicinal plants with regards to phytochemistry, efficacy, and safety. The search technique covered all published papers using descriptors like Ethiopia, medicinal plants, and anti-ulcer until January 30, 2022. The percentage of ulcer reduction was used to measure the success of the treatment. Results: Anti-ulcer properties were investigated in 13 papers. Twelve in vivo and one ex vivo study were retrieved. Osyris quadripartita, Plantago lanceolata, Ensete ventricosum, Taverniera abyssinicia, Crotonmacrostachyus Persea Americana and Moringa stenopetala showed effect close to a standard control in difference ulcer induced model. Osyris quadripartite in the dose of 200 mg/kg, Ficus thonningii in dose of 200 and 400 mg/kg, Plantago lanceolata in dose of 400 mg/kg, Trigonella feonum-gracum in dose of 500 and 1000 mg/kg, Linum ussitatissimum in dose of 1000 and 1500 mg/kg, Urtica simensis 400 mg/kg have higher activity compared with standard control in difference different models. Phytochemistry studies revealed presence of numerous components, including flavonoids, phenols, tannins, and saponins, which may be responsible for the anti-ulcer activity. Conclusion: This study revealed that there are some promising medicinal plant extracts that have been used in Ethiopia for centuries that could be used as anti-ulcer agents. The most effective anti-ulcer agents in animal models are Indigofera spicata Forssk, Thymus schimperi, and Urtica simensis. Identification of most active pharmacological agents and clinical evaluation of Ethiopian medicinal plants used to treat peptic ulcers are worthy of further investigation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Ethiopia, on-farm agrobiodiversity and the Productive Safety Net Program (PSNP) play a key role in building smallholders' resilience. However, the impact of PSNP on on-farm agrobiodiversity is not yet well investigated. In this paper, we develop an analytical framework that links PSNP participation to on-farm agrobiodiversity. Both diverse farming systems and PSNP require labour inputs while providing income stabilization, which might result in a negative relationship between the two. Conversely, higher income from PSNP might allow farmers to increase their long-term on-farm investments, as opposed to the strategies oriented toward the highest immediate profit or calorie intake outcome. We base our empirical analysis on the World Bank's Ethiopian Socioeconomic Survey, a panel dataset encompassing nearly 3000 respondents and a Tobit model, based on Difference-in-Difference and the Propensity-Score Matching methods. We find that Ethiopia's PSNP has a negative impact on farm labour input, both in terms of labour intensity and duration. Furthermore, our results show that participation in the program is associated, on average, with lower on-farm crop diversity. We conclude that the PSNP participation may be crowding-out production stabilizing farming activities, such as intercropping or cover cropping, that are more labour intensive. Our findings call for embedding tools in the new phase of the PSNP (2021–2025) that could incentivise on-farm resilience-oriented investments, in particular leading to higher crop diversification. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Land degradation is one of the major challenges causing food insecurity and instability in Ethiopia. A comprehensive study on trends and drivers of land degradation and, socioeconomic and ecological impact of land degradation is necessary for an effective and sustainable mitigation measures. This study reviewed the drivers, trends and impacts of land degradation, existing sustainable land management (SLM) practices, and policies for land use and resources management. We employed the keyword research acquisition approach to review 122 scientific papers, reports, and other documents. The scientific literatures in the study were accessed through as the Web of Science, Scopus, and Google Scholar search engines, while reports and other additional materials were sourced from a variety of repositories and governmental offices. There has been a substantial increase in soil erosion since the 1980s in the highlands of Ethiopia. Illegal logging, poor land management system, overgrazing of pasturelands, population growth, insecure land tenure, war and conflict, poverty, ineffective government policies and programs, institutional issues, poor rural markets, and low agricultural inputs remained the major drivers for land degradation in Ethiopia causing huge loss of agricultural production and environmental unsustainability. Biological and physical soil and water conservation measures, exclosure establishment, afforestation, and reforestation programs are the most common intervention measures of preventing and restoring degraded lands. SLM practices such as intercropping systems, composting, crop rotation, zero grazing, minimum tillage, agroforestry and rotational grazing has been implemented across the country. However, land security and the absence of clearly defined property rights are the major factors that influence farmers' decisions for a long-term investment on land resources. Thus the SLM practices and various restoration interventions remain a critical requirement to address the growing concerns of land degradation in Ethiopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Memnon, the mythic king of Ethiopia killed by Achilles during the Trojan War, had a double or fused identity in classical antiquity: both Asian and African for Greek and Roman writers because of his parentage and because of the geographical indeterminacy of 'Aithiopia' and of 'India', but definitely black-skinned for Roman writers. How was this figure received in medieval texts and images? This paper tracks Memnon through three textual genres from the twelfth to the fifteenth century – commentaries on Ovid, catalogues of famous men, histories of the Trojan War – and charts the ways in which his classical identity was overlaid and transformed by pro-Trojan sentiment, chivalric heroization and Christian sacrificial thinking. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Sample surveys are extensively used to provide reliable direct estimates for large areas or domains with enough sample sizes at national and regional levels. However, zones are unplanned domains by the Demographic and Health Survey (DHS) program and need more sample sizes to produce direct survey estimates with adequate precision. Conducting surveys in small areas (like zones) is too expensive and time-consuming, making it unfeasible for developing countries like Ethiopia. Therefore, this study aims to use the Hierarchical Bayes (HB) Small Area Estimation (SAE) model to estimate the Community-Based Health Insurance (CBHI) coverage at the zone levels in Ethiopia. To achieve this, we combined the 2019 Ethiopia Mini-Demographic and Health Survey (EMDHS) data with the 2007 population census data. SAE has addressed the challenge of producing reliable parameter estimates for small or even zero sample sizes across Ethiopian zones by utilizing auxiliary information from the population census. The results show that model-based estimates generated by the SAE approach are more accurate than direct survey estimates of CBHI. A map of CBHI scheme coverage was also used to visualize the spatial variation in the distribution of CBHI scheme coverage. From the CBHI scheme coverage map, we noticed notable variations in CBHI scheme coverage across Ethiopian zones. Additionally, this research identified areas with high and low CBHI scheme coverage to improve decision-making and increase coverage in Ethiopia. One of the novelties of this paper is estimating the non-sampled zones; therefore, the policymakers will give equal attention similar to the sampled zones. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Water-borne diseases pose a significant challenge to the sustainability of healthcare in developing countries like Ethiopia. While wireless sensor networks (WSN) address many environmental and societal issues through various applications, energy harvesting approaches extend the network's life. The paper describes a water quality monitoring system (WQM) using energy-harvesting wireless sensor networks. The paper identifies the considerations and trade-offs of various energy harvesting methods and WSNs solutions for WQM. In addition to presenting a real-time system for monitoring water quality, the paper examines the system's lifetime with a solar energy harvesting circuit. In addition, the paper discusses the problems encountered during system installation in the field. The field test is currently underway, but the prototype that has been implemented and tested shows that the system produces close to accurate values in various scenarios and can operate continuously without power outages. As a result, the energy harvesting technique ensures an indefinite lifetime for an economically viable water quality monitoring using WSN. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Simien Mountains National Park's (SMNP) exoneration from the List of World Heritage Endangered is the recent story of the park. It is in September 2017 that the park has restored its place in UNESCO. Significant and sustainable reduction of human population within the park was one of the four basic standards set by the UNESCO World Heritage Commission in order to undo their decision. To fulfill UNESCO's standard, the local government undertook relocations but inconsistently. By employing anthropological insights, this paper narrates the tale of the relocated Gich and Arkwazeye communities in the SMNP. The research used in-depth interview, discourse analysis and household surveys. Contrary to local government's discourse on compensations, the Gich community suffered both socially and economically as a result of involuntary relocation. All the problems attached to this community are the result of the government's non-participatory relocation plan which thus has created a dispensable subject. The Arkwazeye community, on the other hand, is experiencing a relatively stable life as they have maintained all social assets they have created as a community. The paper, therefore, recommends to the local government to individually take care of the lives of the Gich community. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In Ethiopia, large-scale agricultural investment (LAI) is promoted to foster adaptation to climate change among smallholder farmers by improving farming conditions and productivity. However, little has been known about this condition so far. Therefore, the aim of this paper is to study the implications of LAI for the capacity for climate change adaptation among smallholder farmers, based on a study conducted in Merti district in the Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia. An asset-based approach was used to measure the adaptive capacity of smallholders, via data collected from a household survey, undertaken among smallholder households who had, or had not, benefited, from LAI, and supported by key informant interviews and focus group discussions. Descriptive and inferential statistics and qualitative thematic analysis methods were used to analyze the data. The study found that the adaptive capacity of smallholder households was improved under the influence of LAI. LAI motivated and prompted farmers to use technologies that fostered climate change adaption, including the use of irrigation, improved crop varieties, chemical fertilizer, and engagement in alternative sources of income, which improved their food security status. But this technology and knowledge transfer mainly occurred through observation (learning by doing), not by capacity-building. However, both group of smallholders (within and without contact with the LAI) received similar benefits through government rural extension services. Therefore, the paper concludes that scaling up these technologies and alternative income sources could enhance the adaptive capacity of smallholders, but that LAIs should contribute actual technical and financial support as part of benefit-sharing or corporate responsibility. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The global COVID-19 pandemic causes hundreds of thousands of deaths and has created a catastrophic economic and health crisis around the World. Transportation, manufacturing industries, business and people's movement came to almost a halt and sharp oil and gas prices reduction were observed. The impact of the pandemic for sub-Saharan countries like Ethiopia, which was already struggling with many economic and social welfare problems, is more evident than in other wealthy nations around the World. In Ethiopia, the general energy access rate is 44% and in healthcare facilities is only about 10%. Therefore, the response for the COVID-19 pandemic is challenging, since activities such as information sharing, communication with health centers, diagnosis and medical treatment require electricity access. This paper aims to assess the impact of the pandemic on energy access plans during and post-pandemic. The paper analyzed, the status of the current COVID-19 outbreak in Ethiopia, the energy access situation in health facilities, and the impacts of COVID-19 on energy access during and post-pandemic periods. Data related to the universal energy access plan of Ethiopia, the impact of energy access on healthcare services and the impact of the pandemic were reviewed for the assessment. The analysis indicates that the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic in Ethiopian healthcare facilities and on the overall universal energy access plan is immense and to minimize the global impact short and long-term policy responses are identified and urgently recommended. Furthermore, powering healthcare facilities with microgrids composed of solar panels and battery storage systems could be one cost-effective and sustainable solution for the speedy and effective response of the pandemic challenges. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The article reports on the discovery of an infant hominin skeleton in the Dikika area in Ethiopia in 2000 by paleontologist Zeresenay Alemseged. It was the intact skull and a partial skeleton of a three-year-old Australopithecus afarensis girl. The face and the cast of the skull cavity was preserved by sandstone. Returns to the area each year yielded a humerus, fingers, both knee caps and the thigh.

Transport infrastructure is an important determinant of agricultural productivity. Using various new spatial data, the paper measures different types of transport accessibility and estimates their impacts in Ethiopia. The paper takes advantage of a historical event that Ethiopia, a landlocked country, ceased freight rail operations connecting its capital and the main seaport in the late 2000s. Using the substantial changes in transport accessibility, the spatial autocorrelation panel regression is applied to show that the proximity to close markets and the access to the port are of particular importance for agricultural production. The elasticity is estimated at about −0.05 to −0.13, depending on type of accessibility. It is also found that there are considerable spillover effects that come from the spatial autocorrelation errors, meaning that crop production at one place is affected by its neighborhood environment, possibly including land fertility and weather conditions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The study aimed to explore how participatory communication can be used as an instrument for interventions enhancing agricultural production to improve the livelihoods of rural people. Specifically, it was designed to explore the nature of participatory approaches in the Ethiopian agricultural sector. The top-down approach that prevailed in the past lost its faith, and consequently, stakeholders practiced a participatory communication approach. Thus, explorative qualitative research was applied through focus group discussions and in-depth interviews to collect data. Data were transcribed, documented, coded, and thematically analyzed based on recurring themes. The findings show that if properly implemented, development agents and agricultural experts believe that participatory communication is instrumental in mobilizing the community. However, the routine does not allow development agents and experts to use the participatory approach. Besides, farmers are not given sufficient time due to insufficient interaction and communication on agricultural issues. Farmers and development agents have no ongoing, programmed, and frequent contact. The communication between development agents and higher-level agricultural experts is mainly top-down. Provincial and regional experts do not regularly visit and observe farm sites; they depend on the monthly paper report to execute modifications to the annual plan. There is no practical obligation with the consensus that demands farmers, development agents, and experts accomplish their tasks and duties on time with maximum effort. No dialogical session is available for the community to discuss their matters. Therefore, we suggest stakeholders use a multilevel and inclusive intervention in rural agriculture. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Gender equality and women's empowerment are major concerns under Goal 5 of the United Nations' Sustainable Development Goals to be achieved by 2030. Therefore, microfinance institutions in developing nations have been working on these issues by providing loans to married women and others in need. As a result, this paper focuses on one such microfinance institution in Ethiopia, called ACSI (Amhara Credit and Saving Institution), and its role in fostering economic independence for married women and their involvement in various public social schemes. The study utilized a qualitative approach, collecting data through in-depth interviews (26), focus group discussions (1), and life histories from ACSI experts (4) and key informants from Women's and Children's Affairs (6). Specifically, the study focused on married women in Basona Werana Woreda and examined the impact of ACSI's credit services on their social conditions. The empirical findings of the study reveal that the social condition of married women clients has improved due to the credit services provided by ACSI. Women's social empowerment indicators have shown positive changes after utilizing the credit services. However, the study also identified challenges faced by the institution, such as a lack of adequate transportation means and a shortage of personnel to reach remote residents and fulfill their mission of improving the situation of vulnerable low-income and productive poor resident women. Additionally, cultural attitudes pose significant challenges to the social empowerment of women. The empirical implementation of this study provides insights into the achievements and hurdles that need to be addressed in enhancing economic security for married women through microfinance initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper aims to examine the major determinants and challenges of women's participation in income-generating activities focusing on rural women of Ethiopia. To carry out this study, both primary and secondary data were used. Randomly selected 161 households were the source of primary data for this study. Secondary data were collected from the review of related literature. A binary logistic regression econometric model was implemented to identify major determinants of women's participation in income-generating activities. The finding of this study revealed that in the study area, women are not allowed by their husbands to participate in high-income earning activities. They are considered a housewife and only husband are expected to participate in high income-generating activities due to the local customs. In the study area, women's participation in the income-generating activity is determined by age, husband's education, women's education, family size, land size, market distance, livestock holding, and access to credit. This paper contributes to the literature on women's participation challenges in income-generating activities, giving emphasis to rural women's perspectives. It provides the basis for further studies aimed at challenges hindering women's participation in high-income earning activities, particularly in developing countries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper aims to analyze firm-specific deterrents of innovation in Bahirdar city MSEs in Ethiopia. In order to attain the objective of the study, both descriptive and explanatory research method is used. In this paper, the data were drawn from 310 MSEs firms which were selected by using a simple random sampling technique. The data were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics which include mean, standard deviation, and binary logistic regression model. From the model summary, independent variables that were incorporated under the current study, contributed 69.6% of the deterrents of innovation in MSEs as represented by the Nagelkerke R-square. This means that those variables explain about 69.6% of the deterrents of innovation of MSEs, whereas other factors not covered in this study contributed 30.4% to the deterrents of innovation. The results have revealed that research and development are the most critical deterrent factor affecting technological innovation of MSEs at a 1% level of significance. Besides, cost of innovation and firm size factors are the next important deterrent factors affecting technological innovation of the enterprises, followed by human resource factors. Contrarily, variables such as organizational culture and perceived risk factors have not been statistically significant and less likely to affect innovation of MSEs in the current study. The government and other stakeholders need to work hard to encourage innovation among MSEs by providing support, including an increased supply of credit, training, technology support, and provision of micro and small enterprise information services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Northwest Ethiopia (east Gojjam) has envisioned developing its Climate Resilient Green Economy strategy through the use of renewable energy sources. However, harvesting wind, solar, and geothermal energy is below the satisfactory level. Therefore, this paper aims to model and assess the potential of renewable energy to improve energy accessibility in the rural areas of northwest Ethiopia. Wind, cloud cover, temperature, and radiation data were obtained from the European Centre of Medium Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) model. Logarithmic power-law interpolation, radiation flux, and irradiance power modeling are applied to this work. The study area model results indicated that the annual wind potential is limited for implementation. A minimum and maximum value of solar energy is found at 5.30 kWm−2 during summer and 9.75 kWm−2 during spring, respectively. The average value of the total energy flux for geothermal energy exploration is found 1500.00 Wm−2. Generally, the south and southwest parts of northwest Ethiopia have the potential to implement geothermal energy. Solar energy plantation is encouraged in the whole parts of the study area excluding Choke Mountain. Hence, a renewable energy implementation plan for energy resource management through a stakeholder engagement platform is required to convert this research into a project. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

More than 85% of the Ethiopian population's livelihood depends on rain-fed agriculture. Therefore, accurate climate estimation is quite useful to improve food security. However, the poor spatial resolution of satellite open access Outgoing Long-wave Radiation (OLR) data and the complicated relationship with the temperature and precipitation over variable topography features, the climate estimation is below the satisfactory level. Hence, to address this problem, this paper aimed to model OLR based on moisture parameters related to the air temperature in Ethiopia. European Center for Medium-Range Weather Forecast (ECMWF) and satellite data from 1981 to 2020 has been used to develop a new OLR model. The atmospheric moisture budget equation was applied for the new OLR mode development. The results indicated that the seasonal variation moisture coefficient (α) for winter, spring, summer, and autumn is found 0.99, − 0.29, 0.91, and 0.98 m3w−1 which is satisfied the model requirement. During winter, spring, summer, and autumn, the average value of OLR are found 269.60, 246.10, 247.90, and 255.60 Wm−2 from satellite direct observation respectively; while from the developed model is found at 268.79, 244.01, 248.97 and 254.93 Wm−2 respectively. Based on error matrices the developed mode is well agreed with satellite direct observation at a specific point and it is helpful to estimate OLR in the required spatial resolution. Generally the increment of the local moisture which is decreased OLR and increases the air temperature. Hence, stakeholders must pay high attention to the new OLR model adaptations for flood prevention and drought monitoring in Ethiopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The Ogaden Basin is one of the largest sedimentary basins which covers an area of 350,000 km2 in Ethiopia. Since the middle of the last century, hydrocarbon exploration research has been conducted in the basin of the Calub Formation, and the Adigrat sandstone is identified to be the reservoir rocks of most Calub wells. Although enough studies have not been conducted on the reservoir rocks, to assess the potentiality of the reservoir rocks, this paper is focused on the determination of the observable porosity using petrographic methods and the estimation of the permeability and the hydrocarbon saturations using well-logging data. The used core samples were taken from Calub wells and a total of 24 core-cutting samples (Calub-4 six samples, Calub-5 six samples, Calub-7 six samples, and Calub-9 six samples) were carefully chosen, and the same number of thin sections were prepared from the core-cutting samples. The whole thin section samples collected from the laboratory were subjected to petrographic analysis and it was later interpreted. The maximum porosity and permeability observed in the reservoir Adigrat sandstone of Calub-4, Calub-5, Calub-7, and Calub-9 were 12.6% and 97.2×10−3m2 respectively while the minimum porosity and permeability observed were 3.5% and 0.1×10−3m2 respectively. The maximum porosity and permeability observed in the reservoir Calub sandstone of Calub-4, Calub-5, Calub-7, and Calub-9 were 11.3% and 18.5×10−3m2 respectively as the minimum porosity and permeability observed were 2.2% and 0.1×10−3m2 respectively. In conclusion, it can be said that the Adigrat and Calub Formations are highly hydrocarbon potential reservoirs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Spina bifida is a serious birth defect affecting the central nervous system, characterized by incomplete closure of the neural tube. Ethiopia has a very high prevalence of spina bifida, affecting about 40 cases per 10,000 births. Babies born with spina bifida require early closure surgery, done within the first 2–3 days after birth. Some babies need repeat surgeries to address complications, including hydrocephalus. Without medical care, babies have a high risk of death within the first 5 years of their life. Neurosurgical capacity for spina bifida closure surgery at birth is a relatively new development in Ethiopia. ReachAnother Foundation, a not-for-profit organization based in OR, USA, started work in Ethiopia in 2009 and has been instrumental in training neurosurgeons and improving treatment for spina bifida and hydrocephalus. Along with the development of neurosurgical care, the Foundation has invested in training multi-disciplinary teams to conduct patient aftercare and has launched a platform for improved patient outcomes research. As of year 2022, they support six spina bifida "Centers of Excellence" nationwide and are continuously advocating for primary prevention of spina bifida through mandatory fortification of staple foods in Ethiopia. This paper describes ReachAnother's efforts in Ethiopia in a short interval of time, benefiting numerous patients and families with spina bifida and anencephaly. We document this as a case study for other countries to model where resources are limited and the prevalence of spina bifida and hydrocephalus is high, especially in Asia and Africa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The systematic assessment of spatial and temporal distribution of groundwater recharge (GWR) is crucial for the sustainable management of the water resources systems, especially in large-scale river basins. This helps in identifying critical zones in which GWR largely varies and thus leads to negative consequences. However, such analyses might not be possible when the models require detailed hydro-climate and hydrogeological data in data-scarce regions. Hence, this calls for alternate suitable modeling approaches that are applicable with the limited data and, however, includes the detailed assessment of the spatial–temporal distribution of different water balance components especially the GWR component. This paper aimed at investigating the spatial and temporal distribution of the GWR at monthly, seasonal and annual scales using the WetSpass-M physically distributed hydrological model, which is not requiring the detailed catchment information. In addition, the study conducted the sensitivity analysis of model parameters to assess the significant variation of GWR. The large-scale river basins such as the Omo river basin, Ethiopia, were chosen to demonstrate the potential of the WetSpass-M model under limited data conditions. From the modeling results, it was found that the maximum average monthly GWR of 13.4 mm occurs in July. The estimated average seasonal GWR is 32.5 mm/yr and 47.6 mm/yr in the summer and winter seasons, respectively. Further, it was found that GWR is highly sensitive to the parameter such as average rainfall intensity factor. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Micro, small and medium-sized enterprises (MSMEs) have a potential impact on achieving many of the sustainable development goals much greater than their size. This review aimed to investigate existing literature on the contribution of MSMEs to the sustainable development of Ethiopia and its challenges. The review provides a comprehensive and systematic summary of evidence and provides future research directions. A systematic review methodology was adopted through reviewing the available literature comprehensively including research articles, policy documents, and reports over the period 2011–2021 from ScienceDirect, Google Scholar, ECONBIZ, IJSTOR, EBSCO, Web of Science, and Scopus databases. A search on these databases and grey literature returned 1270 articles; 87 papers were included in this review following screening of aticles using pre-determined criteria. The paper found that MSMEs significantly contributed to the sustainable development goals of Ethiopia through creating employment, alleviating poverty, and improving their living standards. However, the review has identified access to finance, access to electricity, and trade regulation are the major constraints for the development of the sector. The review outlines key policy implications to develop a comprehensive policy that alleviates the existing challenges of the sector and calls for further MSMEs impact evaluation research. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper provides field experiment-based evidence that user experience and learning can increase the attractiveness of an important new cooking technology promoted in Ethiopia. Slow cooking is a potentially significant stumbling block in promoting new lower-emission, fuelwood-conserving cookstoves. We ran a randomized experiment that made these improved stoves available to potential users and conducted three rounds of controlled cooking tests over a one year period, with each respondent cooking on both traditional and improved stoves on the same day. We combined our CCT results with electronic stove use monitoring data to derive inferences related to learning. Although times to cook standardized batches of injera, the Ethiopian staple, are initially on average 25% longer using the new stove, we document that with experience households reduced cook times by 18% over the first 5 to 6 months of adoption, with a further 7% reduction in the next 6 months, leading to negligible differences in cook times within a year of adoption. Those who regularly used the stoves saw greater cooking time savings, suggesting learning-by-doing was important. Fuelwood savings associated with the stove do not appear to be driven by experience or learning. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

While economists in the past tended to assume that individual preferences, including risk preferences, are stable over time, a recent literature has developed and indicates that risk preferences respond to shocks, with mixed evidence on the direction of the responses. This paper utilizes a natural experiment with covariate (drought) and idiosyncratic shocks in combination with an independent field risk experiment. The risk experiment uses a Certainty Equivalent-Multiple Choice List approach and is played 1–2 years after the subjects were (to a varying degree) exposed to a covariate drought shock or idiosyncratic shocks for a sample of resource-poor young adults living in a risky semi-arid rural environment in Sub-Saharan Africa. The experimental approach facilitates a comprehensive assessment of shock effects on experimental risk premiums for risky prospects with varying probabilities of good and bad outcomes. The experiment also facilitates the estimation of the utility curvature in an Expected Utility (EU) model and, alternatively, separate estimation of probability weighting and utility curvature in three different Rank Dependent Utility models with a two-parameter Prelec probability weighting function. Our study is the first to comprehensively test the theoretical predictions of Gollier and Pratt (Econom J Econom Soc 64:1109–1123, 1996) versus Quiggin (Econ Theor 22(3):607–611, 2003). Gollier and Pratt (1996) build on EU theory and state that an increase in background risk will make subjects more risk averse while Quiggin (2003) states that an increase in background risk can enhance risk-taking in certain types of non-EU models. We find strong evidence that such non-EU preferences dominate in our sample. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Even though the mosaic of different land-use/land-cover types has long contributed to the resilience of socio-ecological production landscapes and seascapes in Ethiopia, recent data indicate that their sustainability is under threat. This study aims to evaluate landscape resilience by adopting a set of indicators for enhancing sustainability in the Gurage socio-ecological production landscape in Ethiopia. The authors employed a toolkit of indicators in the production landscape through a community-based scoring approach (1–5 Likert scale). The information from household surveys, land-use/land-cover analysis, and satellite-based drought incidents assessment was integrated with the ranking analysis to support the evaluations. The results revealed that landscape diversity, ecosystem protection, local governance, and social equity indicators had the highest landscape resilience ranks. In contrast, lower ranks are associated with knowledge, innovation, livelihoods, and well-being indicators. The overall resilience of the Gurage socio-ecological production landscape was estimated to be below average. Thus, strategies that enhance the resilience and sustainability of this socio-ecological landscape are essential. The findings could help draw the attention of policymakers and natural resource managers to building and strengthening the resilience of the landscape. This study demonstrates that indicators could aid in evaluating landscape resilience status along with other ancillary information, particularly in data-sparse regions. Methods of assessing resilience must be creative in such regions, and this paper may inform such efforts. In addition, the study recommends that landscape resilience indicators be improved by reducing subjective matter and including spatial-explicit dimensions for evaluating resilience. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Unemployment of graduates from higher education institutions has become a common phenomenon in Ethiopia. To minimize this problem, entrepreneurship development and promoting entrepreneurial ecosystems have been considered as a remedy. Among others, this could be achieved through fostering entrepreneurship education. Hence, the purpose of this paper is to investigate the mediating role of perceived behavioral control in the relationship between entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intentions in Ethiopian Universities. Explanatory research design was used and data were collected using a self-administered questionnaire from a sample of 335 undergraduate students who have taken the course entrepreneurship in four Ethiopian universities. Structural Equation Modeling (SEM) approach using AMOS software was employed and confirmed both measurement and structural model fit before analysis. Then, the findings revealed that entrepreneurship education has a positive and significant effect on entrepreneurial intentions and perceived behavioral control. Moreover, perceived behavioral control positively predicts entrepreneurial intentions. The findings further explained that perceived behavioral control has a partial mediating effect in the relationship between entrepreneurship education and entrepreneurial intentions. Therefore, universities in Ethiopia should work on different initiatives that enhance knowledge, attitude, and skills of students on entrepreneurship that could help them to develop perceived behavioral control so as to enhance their intentions to become nascent entrepreneur after their graduation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: This study attempted to contribute to the existing literature on return migration by framing the discussion within the association between self-employment and returning migrants in the context of Ethiopia particularly on Gondar city youth returnees. Design/methodology/approach: The study has used a combination of cross-sectional and descriptive research design with a quantitative approach. Quantitative data from 195 youth returnees using a survey questionnaire were employed to address the study objectives. A Census sampling strategy was employed to select study participants. To test the study hypothesizes, a χ2 test was implemented to show the association between independent and dependent variables. Findings: The findings of this study showed that there is no association between self-employment and return migrants. More specifically, the study results revealed that sectoral and occupational experience gained from abroad do not help return migrants for new business formation. Research limitations/implications: This study which was focused only on self-employed return migrants where comes from Saudi Arabia, likely does not represent the whole return migrants from abroad. In addition, this study does not include all independent variables that influence the self-employment of return migrants. It only considers occupational and sectoral experience. To understand comprehensively, future research will do by considering all indicators of self-employment of return migrants and also make a comparative analysis between urban and rural return migrants' possibility to become self-employed. Practical implications: Return migration is one of the demographic phenomena in the world which needs attention from government and non-government organizations. Taking into account this, the paper will serve as an input for policymakers and local officials to consider self-employment carefully to support returnees' sustainable entrepreneurial performance and economic growth. It will also help officials to understand some of the challenges that self-employed returnees have been faced including the provision of working area, formal credit, and pieces of training consistent with the experience brought from abroad and tax incentives. Originality/value: Studies on youth return migration in sub-Saharan Africa countries are limited and this study will contribute to the return migration literature with an attempt to examine the association between self-employment and return migration in the context of Ethiopia. Accordingly, it examines the relationship between self-employment among youth return migrants by taking sectoral and occupational experience as major indicators. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The optimal management of scarce transboundary water resources among competitive users is expected to be challenged by the effects of climate change on water availability. The multiple economic and social implications, including conflicts between neighbouring countries, as well as competitive sectors within each country are difficult to estimate and predict, to inform policy-making. In this paper, this problem is approached as a stochastic multistage dynamic game: we develop and apply a novel framework for assessing and evaluating different international strategies regarding transboundary water resources use, under conditions of hydrological uncertainty. The Omo-Turkana transboundary basin in Africa is used as a case study application, since it increasingly faces the above challenges, including the international tension between Kenya and Ethiopia and each individual country's multi-sectoral competition for water use. The mathematical framework combines a hydro-economic model (water balance, water costs and benefits), and an econometric model (production functions and water demand curves) which are tested under cooperative and non-cooperative conditions (Stackelberg "leader–follower" game). The results show the cross-country and cross-sectoral water use—economic trade-offs, the future water availability for every game case, the sector-specific production function estimations (including residential, agriculture, energy, mining, tourism sectors), with nonparametric treatment, allowing for technical inefficiency in production and autocorrelated Total Factor Productivity, providing thus a more realistic simulation. Cooperation between the two countries is the most beneficial case for future water availability and economic growth. The study presents a replicable, sophisticated modelling framework, for holistic transboundary water management. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A structural VAR approach is used to examine the role of monetary and fiscal policies in explaining macroeconomic fluctuations in Ethiopia. The main results are that an increase in government spending has an expansionary effect on output, while shocks in net taxes have a contractionary effect, with relatively small and statistically significant spending and net tax multipliers; that fiscal shocks are shown to have no significant effect on the exchange rate and a statistically significant effects inflation; that contractionary monetary policy is associated with a fall in output; and that the contributions of fiscal policy shocks are larger than that of monetary policy shocks in explaining movements in output, with roughly equivalent contributions coming from shocks in fiscal policy components. Moreover, the effect of fiscal and monetary policy shocks on output improved qualitatively and quantitatively when both policy variables were jointly examined rather than estimating them separately, suggesting the importance of joint analysis. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Drawing on evidence from in-depth interviews and a household survey, the paper provides evidence on the farmers' challenges in production, marketing and prices as well as how farmers perceive and deal with climate change impacts on coffee production in the Fero-two Peasant Association (PA) of the Wensho district of the Sidama region in southern Ethiopia. This includes prolonged dry season, erratic and insufficient rainfall, too early and too late rains and temperature rise. Unexpected heavy rains and snow events as well as weather change-driven pests and diseases negatively affect not only the volume of coffee production and quality but also the prices. The effects of climate change risks add pressure on the existing challenges such as land shortage and fragmentation, declining soil fertility and weeds. Lack of participation in decision-making and corruption are additional challenges for the coffee growers. Although the farmers rely on multiple production-related adaptation responses, most of the deployed strategies to the changing environment are less effective and short-term. The paper concluded that policy interventions should better comprehend the local vulnerability to build resilience and to undertake sustainable agricultural practices for improving the farmers' adaptive capacity to deal with the effects of climate change. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper examines households' preferences, willingness to pay, and determinants of adopting improved cook stoves in rural Ethiopia. The study uses primary household data selected randomly from three districts in Ethiopia's Oromia region. The data was collected using a mix of contingent and choice experiment methods of valuation. The former used a double-bounded value elicitation method, while the latter used a fractional factorial design to efficiently generate an attribute and level combination for the improved cook stoves. The study also used various discrete choice models for data analysis and also used models which account for scale and preference heterogeneity. The findings show that the sample households were aware of the effects of using traditional cook stoves and the benefits of using improved cook stoves. However, they were constrained by the availability of the new technology and discouraged by the low-quality of the products that they had used so far. The estimated mean willingness to pay ranged from about 150 Birr to 350 Birr which is lower than the market price of the improved cook stoves. Emission reduction, reducing fire risks, and the durability of the cook stove positively affected its adoption, while price discouraged its use. Higher levels of education, higher incomes, non-farm employment, and having more livestock increased the probability of adopting the new gas stoves. The study recommends that policymakers and product designers should use the mean willingness to pay and marginal rate of substitution for the different attributes as a benchmark for product design and pricing that fit households' preferences and ability to pay. The lower mean willingness to pay means that a public subsidizing policy is needed for effectively disseminating improved cook stoves in rural Ethiopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethiopia is urbanizing rapidly and migration is the major factor in the urbanization process. Migration is selective and rural youth are more likely to migrate to cities than others. However, the capacity of cities to accommodate migrants by providing formal employment is limited. Consequently, migrants remain without access to employment opportunities. The majority are pushed into self-employment in the informal sector. Despite such challenges, harnessing the benefits of the youth bulge and promoting inclusive development through entrepreneurship programs has become a priority area since 1990s. Although progresses have been made, entrepreneurship programs are unable to reach the unemployed youth and those engaged in informal sector. The objective of this paper is to explore barriers that hinder the youth to join entrepreneurship programs. The study followed qualitative approach. Data were collected through key informant interviews and focus group discussions from four cities-Addis Ababa, Adama, Bahir Dar and Hawassa. The findings show that politicization of entrepreneurship; lack of understanding the needs of the youth, weak institutional systems, low levels of service capacity and inefficiency and lack of entrepreneurship education and youth negligence hinder the success of entrepreneurship programs thereby attaining inclusive development. Entrepreneurship programs thus need to follow flexible and participatory approach. Programs need to be selective in the type of entrepreneurial initiatives and supports that can address the needs and priorities of the youth. Providing youth with entrepreneurial education has a positive effect on their decision to be engaged in entrepreneurial activities. The government needs to minimize its political intervention in entrepreneurship programs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This paper argues that the inheritance of wealth must be grounded on reasons other than the defense of the testator's right to bequeath or that of an heir's alleged moral right to receive inheritance. It asserts that the accepted approach in anglophone political philosophy about the justice of inheritance along the framework of 'justice in transfer' is misguided. Taking Rest land inheritance in Ethiopia as a case study, it defends a system of corporate ownership of land by the descent group with an internal limitation put on the absoluteness of individual titles. Moreover, it submits, inheritance is permissible on reasons that (a) it must relate to preserving equality of opportunity and of a fair playing field, and (b) it ought to be predicated on a more expansive conception of kinship than is customarily accepted in Western societies. As land becomes progressively scarce, the evolution of ownership from private to family and then to corporate ownership signifies a sound interpretation of what it means to leave enough and as good for others to appropriate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Ethiopia's floriculture industry is exceedingly emerging, and, currently, it ranks as the sixth largest exporter of roses worldwide and second largest in Africa. Currently, many flowers, such as rose, gypsophila, carnations, and chrysanthemum, are growing. However, floriculture farms are contributing a high level of health risks and environmental problems in Ethiopia. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to scrutinize the status and impacts of floriculture industries in Ethiopia. The floriculture division is an emerging sector in Ethiopia, and the number of farms, income, job opportunities, and diversity of flowers are increasing. However, the health risks and environmental fates of the sector are also increasing. Ethiopian floriculture farms lack waste disposal technologies and workers' protective equipment and safety, and the chemicals, plastics, and corrugated irons used in the farms are carelessly disposed everywhere. Pesticides, plastics, and fertilizers are also freely discharged into water bodies and terrestrial land, which is causing the development of health risks; aquatic life hazards; and soil, water, and air pollution. However, Ethiopia has no strong and functional system or structure to control the impacts of floriculture farms. The government and the farm owners are not thoughtful about the environmental issues, health concerns, and socioeconomic impacts of the wastes. The government lacks regular control and assessment of farms, and the farms are engaging for their profit. Nevertheless, developed countries are currently using both natural and modern technologies to manage floricultural wastes. Ethiopia should therefore suggest manageable possible approaches and sound management strategies based on the findings of the analyses. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Understanding the temporal and spatial patterns of flood in the Awash River basin, which is located in Ethiopia's Afar region, is crucial. The Awash basin was picked because it is continuously in danger both spatially and temporally. The likelihood of flooding was assessed using eight independent variables: elevation, slope, rainfall, drainage density, land use, soil type, wetness index, and lineament density. Each constituent was assigned a weight based on its susceptibility to the danger, which was classified into four classifications. Exploratory regression analysis showed that the existing land use is the main factor influencing flood susceptibility. For the GIS domain, a total of 31 models were built using exploratory regression. Model number 31 was found to be the best fit model, having the highest Adjusted R2 value of 0.8 and the lowest Akaike's Information criterion value of 1536.8. The spatial autocorrelation tool's Z score and p-value for the standard residuals are, respectively, 0.7 and 0.4, indicating that they were neither clustered nor scattered. The geographic breadth of flood susceptibility and risk is thoroughly examined in this paper, as is the significance of spatial planning in the Awash basin. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lake Tana, the largest lake in Ethiopia, has been severely threatened by water hyacinth infestation over the last decade, especially along the northeastern shore. Since this invasive weed is extremely difficult to eradicate, sustainable management strategies should be put in place to reduce negative impacts on local ecological and socio-economic systems; this requires a better understanding of the population dynamics. In this paper, we review the seasonal change of water hyacinth coverage in Lake Tana and explore its linkages with various environmental factors. During the rainy seasons, increased nutrient concentrations, humidity, and especially water level can promote the formation of extensive water hyacinth mats. In the dry season, diminishing lake water in surrounding floodplains, along with concomitantly increased temperature and solar radiation, may support seed germination and lead to the next life cycle. Currently, water hyacinth mainly occurs in northeastern Lake Tana due to coastal eutrophication, lake topography and westerlies. Expansion of the infested area is slowing down. However, further spread of water hyacinth is still possible in other parts of the lake basin due to changing climate and environmental conditions. Integrated control methods should be put in place in the near future to prevent water hyacinth infestation in Lake Tana, and upstream basin management is vital to reduce nutrients transportation into the lake as a long-term plan. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The paper explores the dynamics of child and household poverty in rural Ethiopia using three rounds of household survey and qualitative data collected by Young Lives, a longitudinal study of child poverty. It uses a mixed-method taxonomy of poverty to classify children and their households into four groups, analyse their movements in and out of poverty, and explore the underlying factors. The final section of the paper uses qualitative case studies to explore child welfare dynamics in more detail, looking at the interplay between the progress or decline of households and that of children within those households. It concludes that while the percentage of poor households within this sample reduced from 50 to 20 % between rounds 1 and 3 (2002-2009), these changes were not always beneficial to children and did not reach nearly 1 in 10 households classified as ultra-poor. A deepened understanding of those changes, employing both quantitative and qualitative methods, is deemed crucial in post-2015 millennium development goal discussions. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this paper, efforts were made to the impact of full and seasonal stall feeding technology on households' economic, ecological, and social welfare outcome indicators in rural Northern Ethiopia using data obtained from the survey of 518 rural farmers. In order to address our primary objective, an endogenous switching regression model was applied. The overall result indicated that SF adoption ensures significant gains in terms of the specified outcome indicators. Using endogenous switching regression models, we estimated different outcome indicators for both adopters from adoption (ATT), and non-adopters had they adopted (ATU). It is identified that there would be a decline of 21% in milk production and productivity if adopters would not have adopted this technology while non-adopters are estimated to increase their milk production and productivity by 100 and 48% if they would adopt this technology. The results further show that SF adoption had a significant increment in the lactation period. An increase of consumption expenditure by 17% from FSF and 44% in the case of SSF could be considered significant on livelihoods for smallholder farmers. On average, adoption of SF increased manure use in the range of 258–294 kg for adopters. The results showed that SF has decreased the propensity of hiring labor by about 29% and purchase of animal feed by 31%. We have found that participation in SF, on average, decreased total cattle stock by 1 TLU but increased the probability of keeping milking cow by 23%. The adoption of SF increased the likelihood of participating in an animal sale market by 29% for adopters and by 47% for non-adopters had they decided to adopt. The adoption of SF leads to a gain in a number of plants of 11 trees and 29 m of physical construction for the typical adopter and 36 trees and 133 m if the typical non-adopter were to adopt the SF technology on their plots. The adoption process also increased the propensity of growing trees by 19% and decreased household animal shock experience by a probability of 19% for adopters and about 15%. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In 2008, a partnership between the academic pediatric radiology department at the Children's Hospital of Philadelphia in the USA and the radiology department at Tikur Anbessa Specialized Hospital in Ethiopia, was established. The partnership aims to support pediatric radiology education during radiology residency and to establish pediatric radiology subspeciality training in Ethiopia. In this paper, we review the needs that elicit this type of partnership, its structure, achievements, challenges and future state as a successful roadmap to the establishment of a high-impact subspeciality program in a bilateral partnership. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The conversion of natural lands to agricultural uses is a significant threat to soil biodiversity. Within agriculture, monoculture based systems are the most common which often result in low biodiversity because they impact the abundance, diversity, and composition of soil macrofauna (SMF). The objective of this paper was to analyze SMF abundance and diversity across different agroforestry practices (AFP) in the drylands of southern Ethiopia. The soil monolith and soil samples were collected from homegarden, cropland, woodlot, and trees on soil and water conservation based AFP using the standard Tropical Soil Biology and Fertility Institute manual, and the identification was done based on morphological characteristics and standard identification keys. The abundance, occurrence, and community composition of SMF were significantly different across the different AFPs (P < 0.05). In this study, 378 SMF belonging to 13 families, including unnamed were identified. The soil ecosystem of AFP was dominated by earthworms (relative abundance = 0.43), followed by termites (relative abundance = 0.12). The homegarden AFP type had a significantly higher number of SMF occurrence index of 46.03 (174), followed by woodlot, 26.72 (101) practices, and the lowest was recorded under cropland, 12.70 (48). The abundance, diversity, richness, and similarity of SMF were significantly related to soil total nitrogen and organic carbon. Phosphorus and pH were significantly related to the abundance and richness of SMF. The homegarden and woodlot AFP types were suitable for SMF biodiversity conservation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Undernutrition among children is a primary concern in sub-Saharan African countries such as Ethiopia. The objective of this paper is to measure the magnitude of undernutrition and associated factors among children under 2 years of age in the Jimma Zone of Southwest Ethiopia. Methods: A community-based cross-sectional study with stratified multistage sampling was conducted. Data were collected using a semi-structured questionnaire and anthropometric measurements. Bivariate and multivariable logistic regression models were fitted using SPSS 20.0 for Windows. Adjusted odds ratios (AOR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) were used to measure the strength of the association between dependent and associated variables at a p value <0.05. Results: Among the study participants, 142 (25.4%) were stunted, 73 (13.1%) were underweight, and 54 (9.7%) were wasted. Older child age [AOR = 1.1, 95% CI (1.1, 1.2)], male sex [AOR = 2.601, 95% CI (1.681, 4.025)], and residing in an urban area [AOR = 0.526, 95% CI (0.323, 0.857)] were significantly associated with stunting. Independent predictors of wasting were younger child age [AOR = 0.894, 95% CI (0.833, 0.96)], living in a lowland area [AOR = 3.3, 95% CI (1.4, 8.1)], and living a in poor household [AOR = 6.2, 95% CI (2.2, 17.7)]. Underweight was significantly associated with male sex [AOR = 2.09, 95% CI (1.179, 3.703)], delayed initiation of breastfeeding [AOR = 2.1, 95% CI (1.0, 4.2)], and living in a poor household [AOR = 2.2, 95% CI (1.0, 4.6)]. Conclusions: Child malnutrition was found to be a moderate public health problem in the study area. Urban dwellers had higher levels of undernutrition than rural dwellers. Children living in lowlands had higher undernutrition than those living in highland areas. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]