Trees on farms are a widespread feature of landscapes across a large part of Ethiopia with an important role in enhancing the resilience of smallholder livelihoods through the provision of ecosystem services. Despite their importance, little is known about what trees are planted or retained from natural regeneration by different types of farmers that results in the pattern of tree cover found in the region. We address this knowledge gap through analysis of household survey data from semi-arid and sub humid areas of Oromia regional state. A set of composite variables that represent distinctive patterns of tree cover on farms were derived from principal component analysis and Pearson correlation analysis. This revealed two major tree adoption strategies: farmer managed natural regeneration (FMNR) of trees to meet subsistence needs as well as contributing to other ecosystem services; and, high value agroforestry (HVAF) involving planted trees used largely to produce fruits, timber and fodder. Regression analysis further identified fine-scale variation in ecological and socio-economic factors that affect which of these two broad strategies are adopted by farmers. Favorable climatic conditions coupled with institutional arrangements to control free grazing were pre-conditions for HVAF, whereas poor biophysical potential and sloping land provided a positive incentive for farmers to adopt FMNR. Farmers with preferences for tree species with multiple utilities and locational flexibility favored FMNR while adoption of HVAF was more assetdriven. Our findings reveal that farmers integrate many native and exotic tree species on their farms to meet their variable farm conditions, needs and asset profiles in stark contrast to most tree promotion efforts that focus on a few, usually exotic, tree species. We recommend that future agroforestry promotion should embrace a diversity of tree species appropriate to matching the fine scale variation in ecological conditions and farmer circumstances encountered in the field.

This study was conducted with an objective of assessing the level of job satisfaction and its determinants among agricultural development agents working in different kebeles of Kalu Woreda, South Wollo Zone of the Amhara National Regional State. A total of 100 development agents were selected and interviewed using simple random sampling technique to collect data for the study through structured questionnaire. Descriptive and multiple regression methods were used to address the study objectives. Results of descriptive analysis showed that in terms of the level of job satisfaction of development agents on average development agents are 'undecided' with their job as a result of their involvement in special projects such as agriculture growth projects and donor-funded projects, in decision making, in in-service training and working relationship with farmers. The econometric results showed that there exists a statistically significant relationship between job satisfaction and recognition for best performances, rate of promotion, regular training and level of education of development agents. The study recommends that due attention needs to be given to defining career structure and provision of service training opportunities as criteria in promoting, improving and maintaining their job satisfaction.

Wheat is one of the most important cereal crops in Ethiopia, ranking fourth in total cereals production (16%) next to maize, sorghum and teff. Despite its potential for wheat grain production, Ethiopia falls short of being self-sufficient in wheat, and is currently a net importer of wheat grain. This study examines levels of and determinants of technical efficiency of wheat producing farmers in Ethiopia. Data was collected from 2017 farm households from the four major wheat growing regions of Ethiopia where around 85% of the country wheat production comes from. Cobb-Douglas functional model were used to analyze level of technical efficiency whereas quantile regression (QR) technique were employed to analyze factors that affect technical efficiency. The study indicated the average efficiency level of wheat producing farmers is 0.66 implying the huge potential to increase wheat production given the existing technological level and without any additional investment in agricultural research. Several institutional, socioeconomic and biophysical and agro ecological factors affect technical efficiency in wheat production in Ethiopia.

This study examines the impact of improved wheat variety on productivity using 837 sample farm households in Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia. Propensity score matching (PSM) technique was employed since it is an increasingly utilized standard approach for evaluating impacts using observational data. It is found that improved wheat variety adoption appears to significantly increase productivity on the average by 34-38% for farm households in the study area. Thus, the study recommends that use of improved wheat variety could be an effective strategy to enhance productivity and, thereby, production that contributes a lot to the structural transformation of the Ethiopian economy.

This paper investigates the impact of mobile telephone on technical efficiency of wheat producing farmers in Ethiopia using data collected by Ethiopian Institute of Agricultural Research and International Maize and Wheat Improvement Center (CIMMYT). The study indicated significant impact of mobile telephone on technical efficiency implying the potential role of mobile telecommunication service in improving overallwheat productivity through improving technical efficiency of farmers.

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