College of Agriculture & Environmental Sciences

THE CHARACTERISTICS, FUNCTIONS AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION ROLE OF CUSTOMARY COURTS: THE CASE OF HARAMAYA DISTRICT, EAST HARARGHE ZONE, OROMIA, ETHIOPIA

Sun, 01 Dec 2024 00:00:00 GMT

THE CHARACTERISTICS, FUNCTIONS AND CONFLICT RESOLUTION ROLE OF CUSTOMARY COURTS: THE CASE OF HARAMAYA DISTRICT, EAST HARARGHE ZONE, OROMIA, ETHIOPIA Hassen Mume Abrahim; Dr. Temam Haji Adem Ethiopia has been practicing various kinds of customary conflict resolution management. Different customary conflict resolution mechanisms have distinct functions and procedures. This study aimed to explore the characteristics, functions, and conflict resolution’s role of customary court (Mana Murtii Aadaa Oromoo) in Haramaya district of Oromia regional state. The study employed a qualitative research approach with a case study research design. The study also used both primary and secondary data that was collected through key informant interviews, focus group discussions, and observation. Thematic analysis was employed to analyze the data. Customary court has been playing a vital role in settling conflicts among individuals and groups and in promoting peace, stability, and tolerance in the communities of the study area. The findings reveal that customary court is significant due to its characteristics of producing win-win results for the conflict parties, saving time, re-establishing harmony among conflict parties, revealing crimes committed without witnesses, social stability, and lasting peace among the people of the study area. Customary courts have unused potential for settling conflicts in Ethiopia in general and in the study area in particular. However, absence of clear boundary between legal and customary court, unclear mandate of customary court and lack of clear policy directions, lack of capacity building training for customary elders on the issues of human rights, poor infrastructure, lack of budget and poor working place have been identified as a limiting factor that are affecting the functionality of customary courts in the study area 97p.

EEFFECTS OF FILTER CAKE AND BLENDED NPS FERTILIZER RATES ON SUGARCANE (Saccharum officinarum L.) GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY AT FINCHAA SUGAR ESTATE, WESTERN ETHIOPIA

Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMT

EEFFECTS OF FILTER CAKE AND BLENDED NPS FERTILIZER RATES ON SUGARCANE (Saccharum officinarum L.) GROWTH, YIELD AND QUALITY AT FINCHAA SUGAR ESTATE, WESTERN ETHIOPIA Abdi Terefe Dibaba; Lemma Degebasa (PhD); Netsanet Ayele (PhD) High cane yield and juice quality are crucial for the commercial sugarcane (Saccharum officinarum L.) industry. This study investigated the effects of blended NPS fertilizer and filter cake on cane growth, yield, and quality, particularly in light of declining soil fertility. The field experiment was conducted at FSE during the 2023/2024 cropping season, the experimental design involved a factorial arrangement combination in randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Treatments included four levels of NPS fertilizer (0, 200, 300, and 400 kg ha-1 ) and four levels of filter cake (0, 10, 20, and 30 tons ha-1 ). The findings aim to identified optimal fertilizer combinations and conduct a partial budget analysis of their effects on sugarcane production. Variance analysis revealed highly significant (p < 0.01) differences in cane parameters due to both main and interaction effects of the treatments. The combination of 400 kg ha⁻¹ NPS and 20 tons ha⁻¹ filter cake yielded the highest values for leaf area (332.1 cm²), leaf area index (5.8), cane stalk girth (26.2 mm), millable canes (120155 stalks/ha), fresh stalk weight (1.47 kg/stalk), dry stalk weight (0.42 kg/stalk), pol (16.8%), purity (90.0%) sucrose content (11.73%), cane yield (192.8 t/ha), and sugar yield (24.47 t/ha). The maximum partial budget net benefits return of ETB 1,015,957.9 was achieved with the same treatment, compared to ETB 294,652.5 in controlled. These results suggested that the integration of 20 tons ha⁻¹ filter cake with 400 kg ha⁻¹ NPS was significantly enhance sugarcane production on luvisol soil. Further research is needed with different sugarcane varieties and soil types over multiple cropping seasons for more conclusive recommendations. 63p.

Gender Dimensions of Vulnerability and Adaptation Strategy to Climate Change and Variability: The Case of Smallholder Farmers in North Wollo Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Gender Dimensions of Vulnerability and Adaptation Strategy to Climate Change and Variability: The Case of Smallholder Farmers in North Wollo Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia emesgen (Asso. Prof., Daniel T PhD) Climate change presents significant challenges for resource-limited communities, intensifying their vulnerability and diminishing their adaptive capacities. Male-headed and female-headed farm households experience varied impacts of climate change and variability due to their unique socioeconomic contexts, leading to the development of distinct adaptation strategies. Understanding these gender dimensions of climate change perceptions and responses is essential for providing tailored extension and advisory services. This study investigates the gender dimensions of vulnerability and adaptation strategies to climate change and variability among smallholder farmers in the North Wollo zone of Ethiopia. Data were collected from 396 randomly selected smallholder farmers, supplemented by qualitative insights from focus group discussions and key informant interviews. The analysis employed various statistical methods, including percentage, Chi-square tests, t-tests, and content analysis, alongside the Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) and the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change Vulnerability Index, multivariate probit model, and endogenous switching regression model for impact analysis. Results indicate that female-headed households (LVI = 0.542) are more vulnerable to climate change than male-headed households (LVI = 0.446), reflecting greater sensitivity to climate-related stresses and limited adaptive capacity. Key factors contributing to this vulnerability include reliance on rain-fed agriculture, restricted access to irrigation, smaller landholdings, limited access to early warning information, and weaker social networks. In contrast, male-headed households exhibit greater adaptive capacity due to higher livestock and land ownership, better access to education, microfinance, and agricultural services, along with stronger social networks. Despite shared challenges such as land degradation and crop losses, adaptation strategies differ significantly between genders. While 92% of male-headed households have perceived recent climate changes, only 78% of female-headed households have done so. Moreover, a greater proportion of male-headed households (73.78%) have implemented adaptation strategies compared to only 58.91% of female-headed households. The study identifies critical determinants influencing adaptation choices, including age, education, landholding size, income, and access to climate information and credit. Notably, multivariate probit analysis reveals that land size significantly impact adaptation decisions for female-headed households, emphasizing the necessity to address gendered inequities in land rights. Furthermore, the study evaluates the welfare impacts of adaptation strategies, demonstrating that these strategies significantly improve both food consumption and household income for male- and female-headed households. Farmers who implement adaptation measures report higher levels of food consumption and income compared to those who do not. Specifically, female-headed households that did not implement adaptation strategies would see a decline of Birr 963.06 in food consumption expenditure, while male-headed households would face a considerably larger potential loss of Birr 3561.95. Additionally, households that engaged in adaptation strategies experienced income increases of 19.4% for female-headed households and 23.94% for male-headed households compared to their non-adapting counterparts. Targeted interventions are needed to enhance female farmers’ adaptive capacity. These should include expanding small-scale irrigation, providing gendersensitive microfinance, delivering tailored extension services, and improving access to climate information through women’s farmer groups. Coordination by local agricultural offices, NGOs, and community organizations is essential to ensure effective implementation. 150

Assessment of Woody Species Diversity and Carbon Stock Estimation along Altitudinal Gradient of Kulkal Ber Natural Forest in Maksegnet District, Northwestern Ethiopia

Wed, 01 Jan 2025 00:00:00 GMT

Assessment of Woody Species Diversity and Carbon Stock Estimation along Altitudinal Gradient of Kulkal Ber Natural Forest in Maksegnet District, Northwestern Ethiopia Belayneh (PhD.), Anteneh; Toru (PhD, Tessema Forest ecosystems play a vital role in mitigating climate change and conserving biodiversity. Assessing their woody species diversity and carbon stocks along altitudinal gradient is essential for informing forest management strategies that enhance carbon sequestration in both vegetation and soil. This study aimed to establish baseline data on woody species diversity, structural attributes, and carbon stock potential along altitudinal gradient of the Kulkal Ber Natural Forest in Maksegnet District, Northwestern Ethiopia. Data collection was conducted using a stratified systematic sampling approach. Six transects, spaced 500 m apart along the altitudinal gradient, were established. A total of 60 plots (20 m × 20 m) were systematically placed at 200 m intervals along the transect lines. Additionally, five 5 m × 5 m subplots (positioned at the corners and center of the main plot) were used for sampling shrubs. Within each 5 m × 5 m subplot, a single 1 m × 1 m nested subplot was used to collect ground herbaceous layer (GHL) and soil samples. Woody species diversity was assessed using the Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H'), while hierarchical cluster analysis was performed to classify plant community types. Above and belowground biomass was estimated using general allometric models, and soil organic carbon (SOC) and grass, herb, and litter (GHL) carbon content were determined through laboratory analysis. A total of 36 woody species belonging to 26 families and 31 genera were identified. The overall Shannon-Wiener diversity index (H') was 1.801, with an evenness value of 0.48. The six most abundant species, in descending order of density, were Dodonaea angustifolia, Combretum molle, Rhus glutinosa, Millettia ferruginea, Rhus vulgaris, and Cordia africana. The forest’s basal area was 6.53 m² ha⁻¹. ANOVA results indicated that altitudinal variation had no significant effect on species diversity. However, species composition, evenness value, and structural attributes highlighted the dominance of few species, with low importance value indices. Hierarchical cluster analysis identified three distinct plant community types, such as Ficus thonningii–Dodonaea viscosa, Olea europaea–Clausena anisata, and Myrsine africana–Euphorbia tirucalli. The total mean carbon stock of the forest was 150.76 t C ha⁻¹, with aboveground carbon (AGC) of 57.29 t C ha⁻¹, belowground carbon (BGC) of 15.47 t C ha⁻¹, grass, herb and litter (GHL) carbon of 3.21 t C ha⁻¹, deadwood carbon (DWC) of 2.86 t C ha⁻¹, and soil organic carbon (SOC) of 71.93 t C ha⁻¹. While AGC, BGC, and SOC showed no significant variation with altitude, GHL carbon was significantly higher at lower altitudes, suggesting that altitude influences ground herbaceous layer carbon accumulation. The forest’s population structure exhibited a reversed J-shaped height class distribution in the two altitudinal gradients, dominated by small trees and shrubs, indicating good regeneration potential. These findings emphasize the importance of conservation measures and sustainable management strategies to safeguard the genetic resources and carbon sequestration capacity of Kulkal Ber Natural Forest 85