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• External debt servicing, foreign exchange constraint and import demand: evidence from Ethiopian economy

  Vol. 5 No. 2 (2023)

  Abstract

  This study shows empirical evidence about the effects of external debt servicing on the foreign exchange reserve of the country and tests whether foreign exchange availability of the country affects the import demand. A yearly basis data starting from 1982 up to 2021 is employed. The required data are retrieved mostly from the World Development Indicator (WDI) database of the World Bank. In analyzing the data, the auto regressive (ARDL) technique of econometric estimation is used. The long-run result shows that repayment of foreign borrowing is insignificant in affecting the foreign exchange reserve of the nation. However, foreign aid, foreign borrowing and export growth are significant in increasing the foreign exchange reserve of the country. A sufficient supply of foreign currency in an economy is important to deal against instability and uncertainty of foreign capital flows. So, the government of Ethiopia can enhance the foreign exchange reserve through capital inflows and export growth. The findings from the import demand function of Ethiopia show that the foreign currency reserve is significant in driving import demand of the country. It is known that import enables unfettered access to capital goods from abroad and for improving the domestic welfare. So, the government should have stable and sufficient foreign exchange reserves to finance import of goods and services from abroad.

• Determinants of Rural Youth Participation in Non-Farm Income Generating Activities: the Case of East Gojjam Zone, Ethiopia

  Vol. 2 No. 1 (2019)

  Abstract
  Rural youths are forced to look for non-farm income generating activities to sustain and secure their livelihoods as well as to supplement their agricultural activities. However, their participation in nonfarm activities is influenced by various and yet empirically unidentified factors in East Gojjam Zone. Thus, the aim of the study was to identify factors that determine the participation of rural youths in non-farm income generating activities in the study area. The study drew a sample of 360 rural youths through systematic random sampling technique from three woredas of East Gojjam Zone. Data were collected using interview schedule, focus group discussions and key informant interviews.

• Response of Growth and Yield of Bread Wheat Varieties to Blended NPSB Fertilizer Application Rates

  Vol. 4 No. 2 (2022)

  Abstract

  Low soil fertility and poor crop management practices are among the major constraints limiting the productivity of bread wheat in Ethiopia in general and Hulbareg District in particular. Therefore, a field experiment was conducted in Hulbareg District during the 2019 main cropping season to evaluate the effect of blended NPSB fertilizer rates on yield and yield components and to determine the economically feasible rates for bread wheat production. Factorial combination of three improved bread wheat varieties (Ogolcho, Kekeba and Kingbird) and five rates of NPSB fertilizers (0, 50, 100, 150 and 200) were laid out in randomized complete block design with three replications. The results revealed that the plant height, number of kernels per spike, thousand kernel weight, straw yield, number of total tillers and productive tillers were substantially (P <0.01) affected by the main effects of NPSB.. The interaction effect of fertilizer and variety was also statistically affected the days to physiological maturity, total aboveground dry biomass and grain yield. The maximum grain yield (6500 kg ha⁻¹) and above ground dry biomass kg ha⁻¹ (15389), were recorded at the combination of the highest rates of NPSB, i.e., 200 kg with variety Ogolcho. Generally, the economic feasibility of the fertilizer over varieties combination indicated that application of 200 kg NPSB ha⁻¹ to Kekeba variety resulted in maximum marginal rates of return of 4202%. The partial budget analysis revealed that the highest net return (72, 495 Birr ha⁻¹) with MRR 2711.9% was obtained for Ogolcho from application of 200 kg NPSB ha⁻¹. Based on the result of this study, it can be concluded that bread wheat variety Ogolcho and NPSB rate of 200 kg ha⁻¹ to be appropriate for bread wheat production in the study area.

• Assessment of Environmental Security from the Standpoint of Threat to National Security: The Case of Ethiopia

  Vol. 1 No. 1 (2019)

  Abstract
  Different researches have revealed that Ethiopia has a number of environmentally-related problems that threaten national security. The country loses up to 2-6 percent of annual crop production due to climate uncertainties, with drought being the main national environmental challenge. Ethiopia has a high country risk index of 7.38, one of the highest in Eastern Africa, which underlies a high level of potential risk for conflict, both within the country as well as in the region. Again, Ethiopia has an environmental score of 7.67 which is a high risk level. Generally speaking, therefore, Ethiopia is identified as a hot spot for environmental concern.

• Unveiling the shift of smallholders’ Cash Crop Farming from Coffee-orchard to Khat in Sidama region, Ethiopia

  Vol. 5 No. 1 (2023)

  The study unveiled the recent competing shifting of cash cropping smallholders’ farmland use from coffee and orchard fruits to khat farming based on the empirical evidence collected from the Sidama region, Ethiopia. Despite the national economic and sociocultural importance of coffee in Ethiopia, large tracts of coffee farmland are being cleared and converted to khat cropping in Sidama, Ethiopia. A mixed research design with both quantitative and qualitative approaches was used. The sampling technique was multistage. The multistage sampling technique that combined purposive, stratification and simple random sampling techniques was used. Two woredas, namely Dara and Aleta Chuko were purposely selected, and from Dara, 190 respondents were randomly selected from three kebeles, and from Aleta Chuko, 192 respondents were selected randomly from three kebeles, and a total of 382 farm households were selected from the study area.
  Primary data was collected using survey questionnaires, interviews, observation, and focus group discussions. The logistic regression technique was used to identify the determinants of farmland shift from coffee and orchard fruit farming to khat farming. The study revealed that in one district of the study area, khat plantation
  coverage increased from 86 hectares in 2018/19 to 170 hectares in 2019/20. In this district, from twenty-four kebeles (the smallest administrative unit), sixteen kebeles were coffee producers. Currently, three of them are converted by khat cropping. Among other factors, market bureaucracy, market access, and income strongly contributed to the shift of coffee farmland into khat farming. Furthermore, the study revealed that the shift is poverty-induced and is an alternative to the ever-challenging smallholder’s livelihood, and the expansion of khat farming brought negative sociocultural and political consequences to the local community. On the contrary, the government follows non-involvement farmland use policy to khat production and marketing for undefined reasons. We confirmed some actors, such as local state authorities, brokers, and traders have networked interests in khat production and marketing. The study contributes to policy debate, dialogue, and inputs on cash crop farming.

• RESPONSE OF TOMATO FRUIT PHYSICOCHEMICAL QUALITY AND SHELF LIFE TO MATURITY STAGE AND STORAGE DURATION

  Vol. 4 No. 1 (2022)

  As a climacteric nature and fresh produce, tomato is highly perishable that needs smooth postharvest handling, technologies and treatment methods to maintain its quality and extend shelf life. The aim of the study was to explore the influence of different maturation stages and storage duration. The experiment was conducted in Dilla University from April to May 2021 which consisted of five maturation stages and five storage duration with three replications arranged in CRD factorial combination. Fifty fruits for each maturity stage were taken and packed inside boxes and stored in refrigeration at 12C temperature and 95% relative humidity. Fruits were evaluated for firmness, pH value, total soluble solids, titratable acidity and shelf life. The interaction effects of maturation stage and storage period were highly significant in fruit firmness, titratable acidity, pH value and shelf life. The highest firmness was observed in fruits harvested at full green stage (0% coloration) during the initial storage period and declined when fruits get ripened and stored for prolonged period of time. Total soluble solids and pH value increased simultaneously with advancing maturation stage and storage duration. However, the content of titratable acidity increased up to half ripening stage and the second week, followed by a diminishing trend when fruits fully ripened and stored for prolonged time. Therefore, harvesting at the right maturation stage and proper postharvest handling of tomato fruits is vital to maintain physicochemical quality and extend storability potential with obvious commercial interest.