Main conclusion Tef is a resilient crop from the Horn of Africa with significant importance in food and nutrition security, and currently gaining global popularity as health and performance food.
A survey was conducted in central Ethiopia to elicit information on existing and potential dissemination pathways for technical information on donkey husbandry. A detailed socio-economic survey was also conducted to provide background information on the people and the region, and livelihood indicators were drawn out at the same time. The results showed that there are many opportunities for group dissemination by making use of existing social networks. There are also opportunities for dissemination through extension agents, farmer groups and radio broadcasting.
Improved cultivars and agronomic practices have significantly increased chickpea production inEthiopia in recent decades. Enhanced availability of chickpeas in Ethiopia, therefore, contributes to food, nutrition, and income security of the country. However, we know relatively little about the extent to which farmers have harnessed the full potential of these improved technologies. In this paper, we compare the technical efficiencies and technological gap ratios of chickpea farming in three major chickpea-producing areas of Ethiopia using a two-step meta frontier model. Based on regionally representative data from 681 chickpea-growing farm households in the three regions, we show regional differences in the technical efficiencies, technological gap ratios, and meta technical efficiencies (MTEs). We examined the drivers of these different production levels and identified ways to increase chickpea production while minimizing yield gaps. Improving technical efficiency through improving farmers' access to improved seed, offering farmers need-based and gender-responsive extension support, encouraging their participation in technology development programs, and appropriate rainwater management would all contribute to harnessing the full potential of improved chickpea cultivars in Ethiopia.
Background
Women use modern contraceptive methods, mainly either to limit or space pregnancy and both are not identical in their choices. One method may not best fit an individual’s need irrespective of the time of spacing. Cognizant of this, the context with which women base in choice of contraceptives, their lived experiences in using, and factors for early removal/ discontinuation of long-acting reversible contraceptives (LARCs) are not much investigated in the study setting and our study aimed to bridge the gap through exploring the underlying reasons.
Method
A phenomenological study design was used to explore sampled women’s reasons and experiences. Reproductive-aged women (15–49 years) who removed long-acting methods in the past 6 months were included. A criterion sampling approach was employed to recruit study participants. Data was collected using an interview guide for in-depth (IDIs) and key informant interviews and were tape-recorded with interviewees' consent. Audio data were transcribed verbatim and translated into English. The data was first saved in plain text format and imported into Atlas.ti 7.0 software to facilitate coding and categorizing. The content analysis method was used to classify, organize data, and interpret the qualitative data according to key categories.
Results
Several misconceptions about contraceptives (e.g., implants are not appropriate for daily laborers, women who use contraceptives (such as injectables) can only bear girl-child, etc.) were reported by clients and health providers. These misconceptions might not have scientific merit but they are powerful enough to affect actual behaviors toward contraceptives, including early removal. The awareness, attitude, and use of contraceptives tend to be lower in rural areas. For premature removal of LARCs, side effects, and heavy menstrual bleeding, was the most commonly identified reason. The IUCD is the least preferred method and users said it is not comfortable during sex.
Conclusion and recommendation
Our study found different reasons and misconceptions for modern contraceptive methods’ non-use and discontinuation. Standardized counseling approaches like the REDI (Rapport Building, Exploration, Decision Making, and Implementation) framework should be implemented in the country consistently. Some of the concrete providers’ conceptions should be well-studied considering contextual factors to bring scientific evidence.
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