Vulnerability assessment varies widely across households, countries, and regions. Though many previous studies assessed vulnerability to climate change, their unit of analysis was aggregate. Therefore, the objective of this study was to measure the vulnerability of smallholder farmers to climate change at the household level and identify its determinant factors in east Hararghe zone. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select districts, kebeles, and sample respondents. Vulnerability as expected poverty approach was used to measure household-level vulnerability. Logit model was also used to assess factors contributing to households’ vulnerability. The study revealed that 73% of households were vulnerable to climate-induced shocks. Households with better farm experience, land size, livestock ownership, access to credit, access to extension service, social capital, access to climate information, non-farm income, and headed by a male were not vulnerable to climate change; whereas households who were living in low and midland agro-ecologies, far from the market, and participating in productive safety-net programs were vulnerable to climate change. The study indicated that the vulnerability of smallholder farmers was sensitive to the minimum income required to maintain daily life. Income-generating activities that supplement farm income should be well designed in policy to reduce the vulnerability of smallholder farmers.
Accelerated soil erosion remains the major challenge that is adversely affecting the agricultural performance in Ethiopia. Efforts towards soil and water conservation (SWC) goal were started since the mid-1970s and 80s to alleviate soil erosion and low crop productivity. However, the effectiveness of SWC practices on improving soil properties remains less studied. Soil physical analysis (%sand, silt and clay) and chemical analysis (pH, exchangeable potassium (K + ), available phosphorous (P), total nitrogen (TN), soil organic carbon (SOC) and cation exchange capacity (CEC)) were analyzed. A total of 36 soil samples from two sub watersheds (SWs) with SWC and without SWC practices (Elmo without, Elmo with, Hobene without and Hobene with) from three landscapes with three landscape positions (upper slope, middle slope, and bottom) were studied. The results showed that soil pH, K + , P, TN, SOC, %clay and CEC were significant (p≤0.05) for SWC practices. The sand and silt fractions were not significant (p< 0.05) for SWC practices. P, SOC, %silt and CEC were significantly different for landscape position. The study indicated the effectiveness of SWC practices in improving the soil properties. There should be a continuous awareness creation for technically efficient implementation and proper maintenance of SWC practices for optimum improvement of soil properties.
The high production potential of coffee and animals in the Gedeo zone that could produce huge amounts of coffee pulp and animal manure wastes has been polluting the environment. In this sense, this study was aimed at averting pollution and managing plant and animal wastes, focusing on the effect of coffee pulp and animal manure in the form of vermicompost, biochar, and ordinary compost on hot pepper vegetative and reproductive growth. A 15 ton per hectare of each treatment was applied in a randomized complete block design replicated three times. Vegetative and reproductive growth parameters (plant height, leaf number, number of branches, days to 50% flowering, total fresh biomass, number of fruits per plant, single fruit length, and fruit yield per hectare) were recorded, and the statistical difference was determined at 5% significance level using R-program. The result showed that there was a significant difference among treatments. Coffee pulp vermicompost prepared using Eisenia fetida earthworm had significantly ( P < 0.05 ) higher results in plant height, leaf number, number of branches, total fresh biomass, number of fruits per plant, single fruit length, and total yield, while the minimum values were recorded in topsoil (control treatment) and animal manure compost. The direct and residual effects of vermicompost and biochar organic amendments were the potential organic fertilizers for hot pepper fast growth and to produce enormous yield, which might be due to their nature in improving soil physicochemical and biological properties as well as nutrient uptake.
Proper management and effective conversion of biomass residues for biofuel production are crucial to reduce deforestation due to the cutting of trees for cooking and heating as a primary source of fuel and improving energy utilization of households. Thus, this study is aimed at investigating the effects of biomass residues of the coffee husk (CH), sawdust (SD), khat waste (KW), and dry grass (DG) and binding materials prepared from the waste paper pulp (PP) and clay soil (CS) under a low-pressure piston press densification machine. The biomass waste and binders were combined in a 3 : 1 ratio of CH : PP, CH : CS, SD : PP, SD : CS, KW : PP, KW : CS, DG : PP, and DG : CS. The briquettes were produced using a manually operated closed-end piston press machine compacted at an average pressure of 2 MPa. Briquette proximate and ultimate analysis of moisture content, volatile matter, fixed carbon, and ash content was determined using standard ASTM methods, while the calorific value was determined using a bomb calorimeter and data analysis was carried out using the R-program. Results revealed that the briquette produced from biomass residues has a mean value of fixed carbon and calorific value that ranged from 38.62 ± 1.53 to 41.75 ± 2.14 and 3979.21 ± 232.05 cal/g to 4577.34 ± 397.11 cal/g, respectively. Generally, briquettes produced from saw dust residue and the paper pulp binder had better quality of fuel and this could be used as an alternative source of energy and proper waste management option.
Assessment of land suitability for irrigation purpose is important to utilize limited resources efficiently and for the sustainable production of crops and food security of the ever increasing people in our country especially the study area. The existing small scale irrigation system in the Guangua Badiya river basin farming area has no adequate soil and land resource information and also the irrigated area is very small. Thus irrigation land suitability assessment plays an imperative role for sustainable utilization of scarce physical land resources. This study was initiated with the objective of assessing land suitability evaluation for agriculture under irrigation of the River Guangua Badiya in Abaya District of Borena Zone, Oromiya Region, Ethiopia. Watershed delineation, assessment of soil and slope parameters were the steps followed to evaluate land suitability for irrigated agriculture. To identify land suitability for irrigation purpose, the following factors such as soil type, slope, and distance from water supply (sources) were taken into account. Soil sampling spots were selected based on free and grid survey techniques and their locations were taken using Global Positioning System (GPS). Soil samples were collected and used for suitability assessment. Soil samples used as criteria for irrigation suitability analysis were pH, texture, soil depth, EC, ESP, top and sub soil stoniness. Slope suitability map of the study area was derived from digital elevation model of the area clipped from SRTM of NASA satellite with 30 m resolution by masking layer of sub catchment. Qualitative evaluation was carried out with the help of FAO land evaluation method. Result of suitability of land evaluation ratings based on the qualitative land suitability for irrigation indicated that, 9.32% (1303 ha) are highly suitable (S1), 32.5% (4558 ha) are moderately suitable (S2), 23.82% (3335 ha) marginally suitable (S3) and 34.30 (4802 ha) are not suitable (N) for surface irrigation systems. Hence, the majority of the study areas are in a range value of highly to marginally suitable for surface irrigation purpose. Due to high slope range value 4802 ha of lands are non-suitable for irrigation purpose.
scite is a Brooklyn-based organization that helps researchers better discover and understand research articles through Smart Citations–citations that display the context of the citation and describe whether the article provides supporting or contrasting evidence. scite is used by students and researchers from around the world and is funded in part by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute on Drug Abuse of the National Institutes of Health.
hi@scite.ai
10624 S. Eastern Ave., Ste. A-614
Henderson, NV 89052, USA
Copyright © 2024 scite LLC. All rights reserved.
Made with 💙 for researchers
Part of the Research Solutions Family.