Archives - Page 2

• Land use land cover change and expansion of Eucalyptus plantations in Senan District, northwest Ethiopia: analysis of potential factors

  Vol. 5 No. 2 (2023)

  Abstract

  Farmers in Ethiopia’s highlands are rapidly converting their agricultural land into Eucalyptus plantations, which may have socioeconomic and environmental implications for local communities. This study aims to assess the expansion of Eucalyptus tree plantations at the expense of other land use practices in Northwest Ethiopia, specifically in the Senan district, and the factors that contribute to it. Data was collected from 332

  (166 Eucalyptus planter and 166 non-planter) households and analyzed using the binary logit model. Land use and land cover change in the study area were investigated using Landsat satellite images of four periods (1990, 2000, 2010, and 2021). The land use and land cover classes were categorized using a supervised classification method. The findings revealed a decrease in cropland from 58.4% in 2010 to 38.1% in 2021, whereas the vegetation cover, predominantly consisting of Eucalyptus, experienced an increase from 16.8% to 26.5% during the same period. The results of the binary logit analysis indicate that the age of the household head, the size of the farmers’ land, and savings had a positive and significant impact on the adoption of Eucalyptus plantation, while the family size of households, educational status, livestock ownership, and the fertility level of farmers’ land had a significant negative effect on Eucalyptus plantation. Therefore, it is recommended to conduct comparative studies to assess the impact of Eucalyptus plantations on the livelihoods of farmers, ensuring that their well-being is improved as a result..

• Effects of scattered Faidherbia albida (Del. A. Chev) tree on yield and yield components of three Cereal crops in Central Ethiopia

  Vol. 2 No. 1 (2019)

  Abstract
  Understanding tree-crop interaction is a key aspect in determining approprate tree-crop combination
  and managements. However, little is known about the influence of tree crop interaction and tree management on crop productivity. The study was conducted with the aim of investigating the
  effects of Faidherbia albida on yield and yield components of three cereal crops: wheat (Triticum
  aestivum L.), maize (Zea mays L.) and teff (Eragrostis tef (Zucc.) Trotter) in Central Ethiopian
  farmers field at Silti District.Three independent experiments were conducted using randomized
  complete block design with five replications for each experiment.

• Land Use Land Cover Change within Kessem watershed, Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia: The Case of Minijar-Shenkora Woreda

  Vol. 4 No. 2 (2022)

  Abstract

  Land-use land covers are not static rather they are dynamic in response to various driving forces. The main objective of this study was to assess land use land cover changes of Minjar-Shenkora Woreda during the three decades (1987–2017). Three different Landsat satellite data sets (Landsat 5 TM, 7 ETM+ and 8 OLI-TIRS) of 1987, 2003 and 2017 were used from the United States Geological Survey (USGS), respectively. The data were processed, and the land use land cover classes were also identified using ERDAS Imagine (ver. 2014) and Arc GIS (Ver.10.3). The study revealed that forest and shrub lands have diminished from 32885 hectaresto 16034 hectaresand 61939 hectaresto 32530 hectares, respectively while agriculture and bare lands have increased from 52524 hectaresto 90859 hectaresand 3018 hectares to7441 hectares, respectively. Moreover, built up areas also have encroached farm lands and bush lands. Over utilization of wood for fuel and construction materials, human induced fire and uncontrolled grazing, population and socio-economic changes are the main causes of the land use land cover changes. On the other hand, people’s livelihood vulnerabilities and degradation are the main outcomes of the land use land cover changes. Thus, the concerned bodies of the Woreda along with the communities should discuss and formulate law that can help to protect and preserve natural vegetation, expansion of farm lands to marginal lands as well as prevent invading of farmlands by urban horizontal expansion.

• Networks, Perceptions, and Migration Decisions: A Comparative Analysis of Young Migrants from the Gurage and Wolayita Areas to Addis Ababa

  Vol. 1 No. 1 (2019)

  Abstract
  In Ethiopia, rural-urban migration has been visibly dominated by the mobility of the youth. Scholarly works in the area have exhaustively identified the prominent causes as well as effects of this pattern of mobility. By going beyond the push-pull categorization, this study comparatively examines the role of social networks in the migration decision of young rural-urban migrants. Precisely, revealing the nexus between social networks, migrants’ perceptions of their home, and destination, vis-à-vis migration decision has been the concern of this inquiry. The study being of a qualitative type, interview and focus group discussion were employed as the main instruments of data collection. Having adopted a purposive sampling design, participants of the study were selected by using snowball and quota sampling techniques.

• Re-visiting community based participatory watershed management: Challenges, opportunities and its linkage with smallholder farmers’ ecosystem service awareness in Southern Ethiopia

  Vol. 5 No. 1 (2023)

  Ethiopia is endowed with abundant natural resources and valuable biodiversity. However, natural resource degradation and biodiversity losses in response to unwise management have been challenging and creating critical economic and social problems in Ethiopia. Previous efforts to curb the problems have not been successful as expected. Most often, physical works have received major emphasis, while the human components are mostly overlooked. To assess and re-visiting the challenges and opportunities of community-based participatory watershed management (CBPWM) and its linkage with smallholder farmers’ ecosystem service awareness, five districts (Wonago, Abaya, Dilla Zuriya, Yirgachefee, and Kochere) were selected. A crosssectional survey design with two sampling stages was used. Likert with three scales (agree, neutral, disagree) was used. A purposive sampling technique was used to select kebeles from the five districts. A stratified sampling technique was also used (based on agro-ecological zone: Humid, Semi-humid & Semi-arid) to assess the linkage of smallholder farmer’s ecosystem service (ES) awareness with CBPWM. Three hundred (300) farmer respondents were selected using simple random sampling techniques from the selected AEZs, Districts, and Kebeles. The result shows that farmer’s perception of change in environmental conditions has improved over the decades since the start of CBPWM. Their understanding of the environmental condition has also improved the benefits earned from CBPWM like increasing household income, social ties and security, women empowerment, and skill development. The result also shows that farmers had limited access to CBPWM plan preparation, training, evaluation, and monitoring activities in their local area. Moreover, there is a limitation of adequate resource allocation (in terms of materials, labor, and finance) and application of appropriate and site-specific technologies at each kebele level where active CBPWM works exist. Though there are challenges, almost all respondent farmers had a good awareness of ecosystem services (ES), whose livelihood depends on. Almost in all agro-ecological zones, ES has shown declining trends in the study area.
  To restore declining ES in the study area, different agro-ecological zone-based measurements have been
  applied. The result implies that CBPWM work needs serious attention from all stakeholders to achieve its
  envisaged mission of building a climate-resilient green economy in Ethiopia. Moreover, conservation and
  participation-based land management is a means to obtain ecosystem goods and services sustainably.

• DRIVERS, PRACTICES, AND CHALLENGES OF URBAN AGRICULTURE: EMPIRICAL EVIDENCE FROM DILLA TOWN

  Vol. 4 No. 1 (2022)

  In Ethiopia, the significance of urban agriculture as a source of livelihood is well-recognized. However, the
  benefits of urban agriculture have not yet been realized to a satisfying degree. This article aims to understand the drivers, practices, and challenges of urban agriculture in Dilla town. The empirical data upon which the author draws was gathered through repeated periods of qualitative fieldwork carried out in 2020 with 36 farmers in Dilla town, Southern Ethiopia. Direct observation, interviews, and focus group discussions were used to obtain the required empirical data. This study has also benefited from various secondary sources. As the study shows, direct food supply, increased economic security, improved social inclusion, and regulated urban microclimate are the logic behind the involvement of farmers in urban agriculture. Urban agriculture is characterized by mixed-type of farming and includes crop production (mainly horticulture production) and livestock production (mainly poultry and dairy farming). Crop production in the town takes different forms and it includes home-garden farming, open-space farming, and peri-urban farming. As the study further shows, lack of access to urban agricultural land, land tenure insecurity, lack of urban farming skills, lack of access to credit facilities, lack of basic agricultural supplies and extension services, and limited attention given to urban agriculture from relevant state structures are major challenges facing urban agriculture. The policy implication of the study is that the government should work

• ETHNOBOTANICAL STUDY OF MEDICINAL PLANTS IN ALE SPECIAL DISTRICT, SOUTHERN ETHIOPIA

  Vol. 3 No. 2 (2021)

  Abstract
  An Ethno-botanical study was carried out to investigate the type, associated knowledge and practices of
  medicinal plants used by the local people in Ale Special District, SNNPR, Ethiopia. Ninety informants were
  selected by preferential sampling technique. Ethnobotanical data about traditional medicinal plant names
  and associated knowledge such as use, remedy preparation, administration, and others were collected using semi-structured interview, field observation, and focus group discussion. Informant consensus, preference ranking, direct matrix ranking, informant consensus factor and fidelity level were computed. A total of 72 medicinal plant species belonging to 68 genera and 39 families were documented.

• Changes in soil physicochemical properties and nutrient dynamics under liming acid soils Wakshuma Yadesa Mergo

  Vol. 6 No. 1 (2024)

  Area specific investigation of impacts derived from liming acid soils and the consequent effects on plant nutrient bioavailability and soil physicochemical properties is important. This work aimed at investigating dynamics of nutrient bioavailability and changes in soil physicochemical properties under liming acid soils in the west Wallaga zone of western Ethiopian high rainfall regions. Lime requirements were calculated for all soil samples using the acid saturation procedure. Then, important physicochemical properties of the soils and bioavailability of nutrients were determined following standard procedures. The highest changes observed as a result of liming were 36.59 to 37.19 cmol Kg⁻¹ for CEC, 0.97% to 0.47% for SOC, 1.76 to 1.40 g cm⁻³ for bulk density, 30.31 to 37.21% for porosity, 30.25 to 34.55 µS cm⁻¹ for EC, 2.56 to 0.26 cmol Kg⁻¹ for EA, and 0.08 to 0.02% for TN. This is attributed to the relatively higher CEC of clayey soils. It was observed that liming conditions, CEC, EC, EA, SOM, TN, and AP have significant (p < 0.001) correlations amongst themselves and with some other soil physicochemical properties such as porosity, bulk density, and C/N ratio. Bioavailability of P, N, S, Ca, K, and Mg were significantly positively (p < 0.01) enhanced by liming. This is due to improved mineralization of organic compounds, solubilization of some K, Ca, and Mg compounds, and input of Ca and Mg through liming. More research may be necessary to create a further understanding of the long-term effects of liming acidic soils on innate sources of nutrients and biological properties.

• ANTIBACTERIAL ACTIVITIES OF CRUDE EXTRACT OF CROTON MACROSTACHYUS LEAVES AND PURE COMPOUND (METHYL LAURATE) ISOLATED FROM IT

  Vol. 3 No. 1 (2020)

  Abstract
  Croton macrostachyus Delil belongs to one of the largest genera of the family Euphorbiaceae, called Croton under the subfamily Crotonoideae. The genus Croton is ecologically prominent, and an important source of secondary metabolites with antimicrobial properties in tropics and subtropics. The objective of this study was to test the antibacterial property of the leaf extract of Croton macrostachyus and a lauric acid derivative, Methyl Laurate, isolated from it. Crude extract was obtained through phytochemical screening using the solvent acetone.

• Ethnobotanical survey of traditional medicinal plants used to treat human ailments in Arero District, Borena Zone, Ethiopia

  Vol. 5 No. 2 (2023)

  Abstract

  Pastoralist communities have traditionally possessed extensive knowledge regarding the plants and grazing areas in their vicinity, acquired through continuous practice and meticulous observation. As members of the Borana pastoralist communities, the people residing in the Arereo District utilize a variety of plant resources found in their rangelands. In order to evaluate the traditional use of medicinal plants in treating human ailments in Arero District, Borena Zone, an ethnobotanical study was conducted. The primary objective of this study was to document the medicinal plants employed by the local community. Fifty-one key informants were purposefully selected to participate in the study. Data was obtained through the use of questionnaires, focus group discussions, and field observations. In the study area, a total of forty-four medicinal plant species belonging to thirty-six genera and twenty-four plant families, were identified and documented. These plants were reported to be used in the treatment of thirty-five different human ailments. Among the various plant parts used for medicinal purposes, roots were found to be the primary source of remedies (47.7%), followed by leaves (13.6%). Of the remedies documented, 59.7% were prepared for internal use, with oral consumption being the most common method (53.73%). Additionally, 40.3% of the remedies were intended for external applications. The decoction was the predominant method of remedy preparation, accounting for 41.8% of the remedies known in the study area. The findings indicated that the local community possessed valuable knowledge regarding the use, preparation, and application of medicinal plants for the treatment of human ailments. However, it was also noted that certain medicinal plants in the study area, such as Vachellia nilotica and Vachellia tortilis, were reported to be locally threatened. It is crucial to pay adequate attention to prevent further threats to these medicinal plants and to conserve them, along with the associated local knowledge. Efforts should be made to safeguard the medicinal plant resources in the study area, ensuring their sustainable use and preservation for future generations.

• Determinants of Farmers’ Decision to Use Improved Land Management Practice in Gindara Watershed, Southern Ethiopia

  Vol. 2 No. 2 (2019)

  Abstract
  The principal environmental problem in Ethiopia is land degradation in the form of severe soil erosion, gully formation and soil fertility loss. To overcome this problem, promoting appropriate land management technologies are best options. However, farmers’ decisions to use land management practices are determined by complex factor. Thus, this study was conducted in Gindara watershed with the objective of analyzing the status of farmers’ choice of improved land management practices and investigating determinants of farmers’ decisions to use improved land management practices.

• The Effect of Smallholder Farmers’ Managed Wetlands on Plants’ Diversity and Soil Properties in Gedeo Zone, Gedeb wereda, Southern Ethiopia.

  Vol. 2 No. 1 (2019)

  Abstract
  This study was conducted in southern Ethiopia to assess the impact of smallholder farmers’
  managed wetlands on plants diversity and soil properties. Vegetation data were collected from 60
  plots having (1m x1m) quadrats laid on five transects lines along the altitudinal gradient. Vegetation
  data were analyzed using, descriptive statistics, Sorenson’s similarity, and Shannon-Wiener
  diversity index and R. 2.14 software.

• The Eco-cultural Shift in the Gede’o and Sidama Indigenous Agroforestry System

  Vol. 4 No. 2 (2022)

  Abstract

  The Gedeo and Sidama are neighboring communities well known in Ethiopia for their indigenous agroforestry system. Both communities have strong attachments to the indigenous agroforestry system. However, in recent years, there has been a dramatic change in the agroforestry system of both communities: a shift in the value system and economic engagements that reflects a departure from the culturally embedded local knowledge, belief, norms, and environmental ethics of regulating the human-nature relationships. This paper attempts to show the eco-cultural shift in the indigenous agroforestry systems of the Gedeo and Sidama communities. The paper specifically addresses the relationship between nature and culture, and their dynamics and the challenges related to the eco-cultural shifts in the everyday lives of the communities. Methodologically, qualitative research methods such as in-depth interviews, observation, focused group discussions; narrative interview and review of secondary sources have been employed to collect data. Purposive and snowball sampling techniques have been used to find key informants in the study areas. The results have shown that various factors such as disease to native crops, erosion of traditional social structures, urbanization, modernization, modern schooling and expansion of mainstream religions have been inducing adverse effects in the indigenous agroforestry system of Gedeo and Sidama communities. In addition, with the “monetization” of the production system in the area, the indigenous agroforestry system of the Gedeo and Sidama is now shifting towards cash-oriented cropping system. As a result, the communities have started to experience ecological, social and institutional challenges. Ecologically, the communities have started to experience loss of biodiversity, infertility of soil and food insecurity; socially, uncommon and abnormal behaviors such as beggary, snatching and prostitution are on the rise; institutionally, the decay of indigenous social institutions that preserved society-nature symbiosis is quite visible. The paper recommends necessary preventive measures to reduce drivers of eco-cultural shift in the indigenous land use systems of Gedeo and Sidama and their adverse effects on the harmonious relationship between society and nature in the areas.

• Asian Vitis Species for Modern Grapevine Breeding and Wine Industry: A Review

  Vol. 1 No. 1 (2019)

  Abstract
  Viticulture is one of the major horticultural industries of the world, with the area of grapevines cultivated exceeding 7.9 million hectare. The grapevines belong to the family Vitaceae, which are mostly woody, tree-climbing vines, though a few have a shrubby growth habit. They have tendrils and inflorescences opposite the leaves. The grapevine fruit is used in a wide variety of products, ranging through fresh fruit, preserves, juice, wine and raisins. This review paper attempts to address a potential Asian Vitis species, as there was no sufficient information and most of the species were ignored in modern viticulture and enology. Vitis amurensis, Vitis heyneana, Vitis davidii, and Vitis yeshanensis are the most common and most popular species in Asia.

• Gondoro as a Social Capital: Analysis of an Indigenous Conflict Resolution and Peacebuilding Practice of the Guji and Gedeo Peoples

  Vol. 5 No. 1 (2023)

  The people ruled by the Gada system have a tradition of stopping conflict and establishing peace. The Guji and Gede’o people have a tradition of conflict resolution and peacemaking called Gondoro. This research paper aims to show that the Gondoro traditional method of conflict resolution is the social capital of the Guji and Gedeo people. To achieve this purpose, the qualitative descriptive research approach was applied. Through this approach, the Gondoro tradition was described in terms of how it was performed and the traditional practices and their contextual meanings it embodied. A purposive sampling technique was used to select key informants who were cultural group leaders from Guji and Gede’o. In-depth interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis (archival analysis) were employed for data collection. The data were analyzed by dividing them into different topics to adequately answer the research questions. Based on the analysis of the qualitative data, Gondoro is performed to cleanse ‘fratricide’ that could happen between the Guji and Gedeo people or within the Guji or Gedeo people. It is done to cleanse the grief resulting from the ‘fratricide’ and restore peace among the communities. The article discusses that the Guji and Gede’o people have ‘fraternal’ relationship that has been reinforced through their shared legendary narratives and cultural practices. Accordingly, the article argues that the Gondoro tradition is the social capital of the Guji and Gede’o people. The article concludes that indigenous knowledge, such as the Gondoro tradition, can serve as a good experience for Ethiopian ethnic groups sharing the border to solve their security problems through their common tradition

• ASSESSING ADOPTION LEVEL OF CLIMATE SMART AGRICULTURAL PRACTICES AND TECHNOLOGIES AND THEIR CONTRIBUTION TO FOOD SECURITY OF SMALLHOLDER FARMERS IN ARTUMA-FURSI WOREDA, OROMO-SPECIAL ZONE OF AMHARA REGION, ETHIOPIA

  Vol. 4 No. 1 (2022)

  Climate-Smart Agriculture (CSA) is a new agricultural approach designed to improve resilience and food
  security of farmers in the face of climate change. The study was thus intended to assess CSA adoption level and its contribution to food security of farmers in Artuma-Fursi Woreda, Oromo Zone of Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Two-stage sampling was used to select 259 households, from whom primary data were collected via crosssectional household survey. Content analysis was used to identify farm level CSA Practices/Technologies (CSAPTs) with close examination of locally specific character of climate-induced food insecurity. Adaptation Strategy Use Index and Composite Score Method were used to assess CSA adoption level and classify households as Low/L, Medium/M and High/H adoption groups (AG). Household Food Balance Model (HFBM) was used to assess food security of households. An ordered Probit regression model was applied to assess factors influencing adoption level of CSAPTs. The study identified 30 CSAPTs. Results showed that Crop and Livestock Management were most frequently adopted, while the later 2 were least frequently adopted CSAPTs. Results also indicated that 22.8%, 32.8% and 44.4% of the households fall under HAG, MAG and LAG with a mean dietary energy scores of 1946.0, 1785.82 and 1692.84kcals/household/day. Results of the one-way between-groups ANOVA showed that the observed differences in mean dietary energy scores of the three adoption groups were larger than what would be expected by chance with p < :05 significant level. HFBM showed that 49.2% of HAG were in acceptable consumption category, in which only 4.7% of low adopters were found. On contrary, 64.7% of LAG were in poor consumption category, in which only 13.56% of high adopters were found, implying that increased level of CSA adoption had higher contribution to improve households’ food security. Results of the ordered probit model indicated that membership in SACCOs, livestock ownership and education level of household head were significant explanatory variables determining CSA adoption level in LAG, MAG and HAG at 1%, 5% & 10% significant levels, respectively.
  Marginal effects estimated for the rest of variables were negatively related in LAG, while they were positively related in HAG, implying that increases in these variables make it less likely to find households in LAG and more likely to boost adoption in HAG showing potential entry points for future intervention.

• WATER HYACINTH INVASION IN THE RIFT VALLEY LAKES BASIN—AN EMERGING ENVIRONMENTAL AND SOCIO-ECONOMIC CHALLENGES: A REVIEW PAPER

  Vol. 3 No. 2 (2021)

  Abstract
  Water hyacinth (Eichhornia crassipes) occurs almost throughout wetlands of Africa and poses serious socioeconomic and environmental problems of people in riparian communities, which added constraints on the sluggish development process. This review aims to show the spatial distribution, characteristic and impacts of water hyacinth to initiate urgent policy attention and amelioration mechanisms in Rift Valley Lakes Basin (RVLB). This invasive weed has spread quickly from Amazon to many tropical and sub-tropical countries and known to cause major ecological, environmental, and socioeconomic challenges.

• SELECTING SOLIDWASTE SITES USING INTEGRATED FUZZY LOGIC MODEL AND MULTI CRITERIA APPROACH IN SHASHEMENE TOWN: OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

  Vol. 3 No. 1 (2020)

  Abstract
  Solid waste is unwanted material generated from combined residential, industrial, and commercial activities in a given area. Since landfills are permanent sites, they need special attention in selecting the location by applying an efficient method. This study employed the Fuzzy logic in combination with Weighted Linear Combination (WLC) methods for the selection of solid waste landfill site in Shashemene town. Moreover, the study used multi-criteria decision-making integrated with Geographic Information System (GIS) to evaluate solid waste site.

• Morpho-physiological Response of Avocado (Persea americana Mill.) Seedlings to Different Salinity Levels in Sidam National Regional State, Southern Ethiopia

  Vol. 6 No. 1 (2024)

  Salt stress is the most important environmental stress that adversely affects avocado morpho-physiological performance. Therefore, this study has been conducted to evaluate the response of avocado seedlings to different salinity levels. The experiment was laid out in a Randomized Complete Design (RCD) with four salt concentration levels (0, 1.3 dS/m, 2.6 dS/m, and 3.9 dS/m) on grafted avocado seedlings, with three replications. The avocado seedlings were raised from Ettinger avocado scion grafted on Guatemalan race rootstock. The results indicate that most of the morphological growth parameters, such as rootstock diameter, sucker development, and root length, were significantly (p<0.01) affected by salt stress level. While tap root diameter and lateral root length were not significantly (p>0.05) affected by salt treatment. Except for the number of suckers developed on the rootstock, rootstock and scion diameter significantly decreased as salt concentrations increased from 0 to 3.9 dS/m. Similarly, significant (p<0.01) variations were also observed in leaf length, bud number, leaf fresh weight and dry weight, leaf area, shoot height, taproot length, and lateral root length. These parameters were also significantly decreased with the increase in salt concentrations. Likewise, photosynthesis, transpiration, stomatal conductance, and instantaneous water use efficiency were significantly affected by salt concentration, where relatively maximum scores were obtained at 0 and 1.3 dS/m. In general, salt concentration at 0 and 1.3 dS/m EC favors most of the growth and physiological performance of avocado seedlings compared to 2.6 and 3.9 dS/m. Thus, the study revealed that for vigorous growth of avocado seedlings at an early stage, the quality of irrigation water needs considerable attention to ensure robust avocado seedling growth.

• Informal Economy and Livelihood: Experiences of Women in Dilla Town, Southern Ethiopia

  Vol. 2 No. 2 (2019)

  Abstract
  This study investigates the nexus between the informal economy and women's livelihood improvement in developing economies like Ethiopia. Women in developing countries in general and in Ethiopian developing economy in particular face multi-dimensional challenges that include economic, political, social and cultural factors which undermine both of their agency and capability. The high incidence of poverty and family responsibility under such circumstances compels them to the informal sector where operations are far from getting policy support. The objective of this research is to investigate the role of the informal economy in improving the livelihood of women in terms of income, employment and reduction of poverty of households led by women operating in the informal sector in Dilla town.

• Talking Plants: Communication and Signaling via Volatiles

  Vol. 2 No. 1 (2019)

  Abstract
  There is an urgent need for new sustainable solutions to support plants in facing current environmental challenges. In particular, strengthening of productivity and food security needs sustainable exploitation of natural resources and metabolites. In this review, we fetch the attention to the agronomic potential of volatile organic compounds (VOCs) emitted from plants, as a natural and eco-friendly solution to defend from stresses and to enhance crop production. Plants defense by emitting volatile organic compounds communicate with herbivore-attacked neighbors to activate defenses before being attacked.

• Assessing spatial accessibility of bus stops and user satisfaction with transportation services: a case of Dilla Town, South Ethiopia Region, Ethiopia

  Vol. 5 No. 2 (2023)

  Abstract

  Bus stop accessibility is a vital component of a successful transportation system. This study aimed to investigate the network characteristics of bus stop locations and evaluate bus service users’ satisfaction. The road networks were digitized from aerial photographs and the locations of the bus stops were collected by Handheld GPS to assess the accessibility of bus stops. Additionally, an administered questionnaire related to service quality was collected to evaluate the bus transportation service quality provided by Dilla University. Network analysis techniques were employed to analyze the spatial distribution and accessibility of bus stops. The bus stop coverage ratio index was determined from the ideal access coverage and the actual access coverage of bus stops. The SCRI result indicates Getsmart Bus stop has the highest value (0.96), suggesting that it has a high level of functionality for its surrounding area. On the other hand, the bus stop with the lowest value (0.60) is ‘Molla Golja’. The findings of the study highlighted significant variations in bus stop coverage, indicating differences in accessibility among the stops. The questionnaire survey results showed that passengers were not generally satisfied with the bus service. In summary, the network analysis is useful for identifying areas with low accessibility and areas where improvements are needed.The significance of this study extends beyond providing solely to the needs of Dilla University administrators for creating a more efficient and user-friendly transportation system for their workers and the wider community. It is useful for the Dilla Town Administrative Road Transport Office and other organizations seeking to improve transportation systems.

• The Role of Moisture Schemes in Regional Climate Modeling of Precipitation over the Horn of Africa

  Vol. 2 No. 1 (2019)

  Abstract
  This study aims to evaluate the performance of the latest Regional Climate Model version 4 (RegCM4) to simulate the precipitation over the Horn of Africa. Although there are several aspects in which the model can be improved, the focus of this study is to tackle the problem of its moisture scheme. RegCM4 moisture scheme has fourteen moisture scheme parameters, which can be tuned within the allowed physical limits. Each of the fourteen moisture parameters have been varied around the current default setting and over 80 model runs have been performed for a domain defined by 60km resolution, 18 vertical levels covering spatially the whole Africa and the major circulation patterns that derive climate over the region.

• SITUATION ANALYSIS OF IRREGULAR STEPWISE CROSS-BORDER ETHIOPIAN MIGRANTS IN THE SUDAN IN VIEW OF SOCIOECONOMIC STATUS AND HUMAN RIGHTS

  Vol. 4 No. 2 (2022)

  Abstract

  The main objective of this research was to investigate the socioeconomic and human rights status of the irregular cross-border Ethiopian migrants in Sudan. The research targeted identifying key policy lessons that could contribute to the existing endeavors of managing migration and preventing human trafficking and smuggling of migrants. Data were collected through desk reviews, informant interviews, group discussions, and observations. The results show that Ethiopian emigrants in Khartoum have been suffering beginning from their origin, en route, and destination. The most common drivers of the emigrants are found to be an amalgam of socioeconomic, political, and environmental factors as well as pseudo-success-stories of the pioneer migrants. The en route was perilous for the migrants in which they faced physical assault, confinement, mistreatment, sexual abuse, and robbery. At the destination, the emigrants had been suffering from religion-based disparagement, nationality-based stigmatization, restricted mobility, exploitative working conditions, confiscation of resources, sexual abuse, vulnerability to drug dependence, and maltreatment. The mechanism to alleviate the problem is triple: one is expected from Ethiopia, the other from Sudan, and the third is a combined effort. In Ethiopia, enhanced democratic culture, political tolerance, good governance, improved access to legal travel authorization (visa) for safe migration, awareness creation campaigns, enhanced monitoring of the private employment agencies, and increased cooperation among stakeholders are found to be vital solutions to prevent illicit cross-border human trafficking and smuggling of migrants. Sudan is recommended to comply with the international conventions it ratified and the national legal frameworks it enforced regarding human trafficking, smuggling of migrants, and refugee protection. Ethiopia and Sudan have also something great to do together to combat the quandary of illicit migration: abolition of visa obligation for the citizens of one another and establishing robust co-managed border supervision command post mandated to address conflicts, irregular migration, and displacement at border areas.

• Large Scale Commercial Farming and Its Environmental Impacts: The Case of Gambella Regional State

  Vol. 1 No. 1 (2019)

  Abstract
  The change in Ethiopia’s economic policy from small scale farming to large scale farming began with the global food and fuel crisis in 2007/8. This has led many countries including the Gulf States and several East Asian countries, to re-evaluate their strategies and secure land and water essentially to produce food and fuel. Consequently, in Ethiopia, more than four million hectares of land has been leased to investors for large-scale commercial farming out of which the total land area of 524,202.58 hectares has been distributed for both local and foreign investors in Gambella Regional State. Hence, the main purpose of the study was to assess the impacts of large-scale commercial farming on the sustainability of environment in Gambella regional state.