Ethiopian Journal of Environment and Development

Biopesticidal Effect of Acokanthera schimperi and Nicotiana tabacum on Maize Storage Insect, Sitophilus zeamais

2025-09-01T09:23:09+03:00

Maize serves as a primary staple food for approximately one-third of the sub-Saharan population. Despite being the third most widely produced grain globally, various factors impede its production. Insects, par ticularly maize weevils (Sitophilus zeamais), play a crucial role in hindering maize production, especially during storage. This study investigates the efficacy of two medicinal plants, Acokanthera schimperi and Nicotiana tabacum, in managing the maize weevil, a significant pest affecting stored grain. Adult maize weevils (S. zeamais) were collected and reared in the entomological laboratory at Addis Ababa University. The medicinal plants, Acokanthera schimperi and Nicotiana tabacum, were processed into powder and applied to the laboratory-reared S. zeamais in varying amounts. Statistical analysis, using SPSS version 16’s ANOVA, was conducted to assess mean differences among replicates and dose rates. The plant toxicity test employed the "corrected mortality (%)" formula. Results indicated that Nicotiana tabacum demonstrated effectiveness against the maize weevil, with approximately 59% mortality recorded among adult weevils during the experimentation. This highlights the potential for sustainable utilization of plant resources for affordable pest management, while simultaneously mitigating the environmental detriments associated with conventional methods.

Institutional Transparency of Urban Land Management in Ethiopia: a Case Study in Sebeta, Gelan and Sendaf-Bake Towns of the Oromia Region

2025-09-01T09:18:56+03:00

The study examines the transparency of urban land management in Ethiopia considering the case of Sebeta, Gelan and Sendafa-Bake towns of the Oromia Region. To achieve the objective, the study employed a convergent research design within the framework of a mixed-methods research approach. Both qualitative and quantitative data were collected from primary and secondary sources. Interview schedules, interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis techniques were used to solicit information. The study used both probabilistic and non-probabilistic sampling techniques to select sample respondents. Statistical and context analysis methods were utilized to present and analyze the data. The findings of the study indicate that the land management system in the study area lacked a rigorous transparency system. In addition, more than sixty percent of the respondents stated that the level of transparency in the official activities of land management offices was limited. The study, based on the findings, recommends that governments at regional and local levels need to ensure that the land management system follows open, consistent, and clear service provision standards to provide impartial, objective, and non-discriminatory services to citizens. This helps to ensure that an efficient and effective land and land-related service system is consolidated in the study area.

Occurrence and Associated Risk Factors of Inedible Foreign Objects in Cattle Butchered at Dilla Municipal Abattoir, Southern Ethiopia

2025-09-01T09:16:34+03:00

The research was conducted on cattle slaughtered at the Dilla Municipal Abattoir in the Gedeo Zone of Southern Ethiopia from March to July 2024. The study aimed to evaluate the prevalence and associated risk factors of indigestible waste objects in slaughtered cattle. A cross-sectional study design was employed to assess the animals through both ante-mortem inspections and post-mortem examinations. During these examinations, various foreign bodies were identified in the rumen and reticulum. Out of 384 slaughtered cattle, 172 (44.79%) tested positive for the presence of foreign bodies. The prevalence of foreign bodies showed a significant difference based on the sex of the cattle (χ2 = 7.07, p < 0.01) and age categories (χ2 = 6.01, p < 0.05). Post-mortem results revealed that the most found foreign objects included plastics (21.5%), nylon clothes (20.93%), rope (13.95%), and iron/wires (11.63%). Plastic materials were primarily located in the rumen, while non-plastic objects were mainly found in the reticulum. Rumen foreign bodies had a higher prevalence than those found in the reticulum (χ2 = 7.3, p < 0.00). Additionally, the prevalence of foreign bodies varied significantly across different age groups in relation to body condition (χ2 = 7.95, p < 0.05). These findings indicate that the ingestion of waste materials poses significant veterinary health challenges, leading to decreased production and productivity, which ultimately results in higher mortality rates in cattle managed under extensive systems. In conclusion, these results can inform the formulation of policies for solid waste management and strategies aimed at reducing environmental pollution while safeguarding animal health. Therefore, it is recommended that further surveillance and monitoring of organ condemnation at the Dilla abattoir be implemented to control the spread of zoonotic and other diseases.

Backyard Sheep Fattening: Constraints, and Economic Implications in Bule District, Gedeo Zone, Ethiopia

2025-09-01T09:13:02+03:00

The study was conducted in the Bule district of the Gedeo Zone to assess backyard sheep fattening practices, limitations, opportunities, and economic viability. Six out of 18 Kebeles were purposively selected based on sheep resources, farmer experience, and accessibility. A total of 126 households were randomly chosen for the survey. Sheep fattening was prevalent in the area, with 94.4% of households utilizing tethering and free-grazing systems. Traditional fattening methods were dominant, with an average of 1.97 ± 0.08 sheep fattened over periods of 2 to 6 months, and 1.59 ± 0.059 rounds per year. Rams were the preferred type for fattening (72.2%), followed by both rams and ewes (17.5%), and ewes alone (10.3%). The Easter season (27.78%) was the most common time for fattening, and 40.48% of fatteners engaged in this practice primarily for income generation. Separate housing for sheep was common, although often poorly managed; 35.7% of households housed sheep separately within other livestock shelters. Key challenges included feed shortages, diseases, rising veterinary drug prices, decreasing grazing land, low sheep productivity, and issues with predators and theft. Conversely, opportunities included favorable agro-ecological conditions, abundant fresh grass, experienced farmers, a large sheep population, increasing market demand, rising sheep prices, higher literacy rates, and larger household sizes, all of which could enhance fattening practices. Despite these opportunities, sheep fattening remained unprofitable under current management systems. To improve profitability, the study recommends targeted training, ongoing support, collaboration among stakeholders, improved forage development, and consistent monitoring and evaluation.

In vitro antibacterial activity of Tamarind (Tamarindus Indica) seed extracts against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae

2025-09-01T09:09:10+03:00

Despite the discovery of antibiotics, infectious diseases remain a serious concern due to the rise of antibiotic resistance. This situation necessitates the urgent search for alternative antimicrobial agents from various sources. Plants are a priority because of their bioactive components, which have potential in combating multi-drug resistant microorganisms. In Ethiopia, communities have traditionally used the seeds of Tamarind (Tamarindus indica) for wound healing, snake bites, abdominal pain, inflammation, helminth infections, antimicrobial effects, and diabetes management. However, scientific studies on this plant remain limited. This study aimed to investigate the antibacterial effects of Tamarindus indica seed extracts collected from Itang Woreda, Gambella, Ethiopia, against Staphylococcus aureus and Klebsiella pneumoniae. The maceration technique was used for extraction, employing acetone and ethanol as solvents. The antibacterial activity of each extract was evaluated at concentrations of 100, 200, and 300 mg/mL using the disk diffusion method. Pathogenic strains of Staphylococcus aureus (ATCC 25923) and Klebsiella pneumoniae (ATCC 700603) were obtained from the Ethiopian Biodiversity Institute and cultured on selective media. The findings indicated that neither the acetone nor ethanol extracts were effective against S. aureus or K. pneumoniae at any tested concentration. No significant differences were observed between the extracts and the negative control (P > 0.05). However, results were significantly different from the positive control (P < 0.05). These results suggest that Tamarindus indica seed extracts do not exhibit antibacterial activity against the tested bacteria. Further research on other pathogenic bacteria and fungi is recommended for more comprehensive conclusions.