Abstract: Two major challenges facing arid and semi-arid areas (ASALs) of Kenya today are food insecurity and poverty, occasioned by low agricultural production. Diversification into low input agriculture like mushroom cultivation can help address these challenges. However, commonly used mushroom substrates in Kenya, (rice and wheat straws) are not widely and cheaply available. Several crop residues are found in the ASALs, while Melia volkensii is becoming popular agroforest trees in these a...
Abstract: In the recent years it has become clear that climate change is an inevitable process and a growing concern for many regions in the world. In the Horn of Africa especially, the expectation is that climate change will have negative impacts on the livelihoods due to existing vulnerabilities of the population. A cursory view of many regions in the world reveals the existing albeit critical relationship between climate change and food security. Climate change is already affecting all di...
Abstract: Land degradation is a global, ongoing and relentless problem diminishing the functions and services provided by land resources. The problem is most serious in tropical regions, high in population density and mainly dependent on subsistence agriculture. Ethiopia can be viewed as a vivid example of countries in these regions most affected by land degradation. Although its extent varies, the problem is widespread in all regions of the country. The highlands, originally endowed with ab...
Abstract: Cultivation of edible mushrooms is one of the strategies of production of protein-rich food with the reduction of environmental pollution with full use of all materials in which nothing left as waste. In view of this, an experiment was conducted to evaluate substrates and substrate combination (Cotton seed (CS), khat left over (KL) and spent Coffee Ground (CG)) for oyster mushrooms (Pleurotus ostreatus and Pleurotus sajor-caju) cultivation at Mushroom Research, Production and Train...
Abstract: Global warming, urban pollution and depletion of fossil fuels have been driving for looking alternative energy sources, especially those derived from biomass. Production of bio-ethanol from lingocellulosic materials is providing a long-term sustainable for fuel supply. Striga hermonthica, a parasitic weed plant is one of cheap source of lignocellosic materials to serve as feedstock for bio-ethanol production. With the objective of evaluating its potential for bioethanol production,...
Abstract: Microbial formulations for producing bioorganic liquid fertilizers are promising technology in the future. Thus, the present study was aimed to produce bioorganic liquid fertilizer from khat leaves and onion bulbs through aerobic fermentation in open containers. Macronutrient composition of bioorganic fertilizer and compost tea solutions indicated that Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), calcium (Ca), and sodium (Na) were found to be significant between bioorganic liquid fertilizer and ...
Abstract: An extension of human activities including agriculture into the natural vegetation was resulting negative impacts like decreasing population of the wildlife inhabited the natural habitat. This study was conducted to assess and document diversity, distribution, relative abundance of medium and large size mammals in Chukala Mountain Forest. Preliminary survey was conducted and three habitat types montane forest with grassland, woodland and Bush land were identified. A line transect s...
Abstract: Homegarden agrobiodiversity practices are well developed and highly appreciated for the agroecosystem sustainability and socio-economic contributions to small holder farmers in Africa particularly in Ethiopia. There are a number of studies, which have been analyzed the homegarden agrobiodiversityin Africa as well as in Ethiopia.However, a comprehensive scientific study on the homegarden practices, its contribution to the economic and livelihood of the people were not done.Therefore...
Abstract: A study was conducted in Dikicha Kebele, Miyo District, Borana Zone of Southern Ethiopia, to compare woody species diversity, uses, and regeneration status, and soil organic carbon of conserved and non -conserved adjacent sub-watersheds. In each sub-watersheds, four transect lines were systematically laid parallel to each other at 200 m interval. Ten nested sample plots were established at interval of 50m along each transect lines. The main plots had 30m X 30m while sub-plots had 5...
Abstract: In Ethiopia agriculture is highly vulnerable to climate variability. This is mainly due to its mere dependence on rainfall and low level of technology adoption. Thus, the aim of this study was to investigate farmers’ resilience to climate variability and their perception towards adoption of climate smart agricultural practices in the study area. A multistage sampling technique was employed to select sample households. Accordingly, 204 sample households were selected using simple ...
Abstract: The dry Afromonatane natural forests of East and West Hararghe are under severe degradation. There are some remnant mountain forests in West Hararghe, which are under increasing anthropogenic threats and call up urgent conservation actions. This study was conducted at Hades dry Afromontane natural forest, West Hararghe zone of Oromia Regional state, Ethiopia with the objective of determining the woody species composition along altitudinal gradients and conservation status. The data...
Abstract: Small-scale irrigation is one of the most useful irrigation systems designed to increase the production and productivity of smallholder farmers and protect them against the risks of crop loss due to erratic rainfall. This study was mainly intended to evaluate the impact of small-scale irrigation practices on the livelihood and resilience of smallholder farmers toward climate change stresses in Kersa district, East Hararghe Zone, Oromia. The data were collected from a sample of 288 ...
Abstract: Homegarden is an intensive land use system involving the deliberate management of multipurpose trees and shrubs grown in intimate association with herbaceous species with diverse use value. The aim of this study was to assess species diversity and use of the plant species in the homegardens including their seasonal variation in Misha Woreda, Hadiya Zone, of the Southern Nations, Nationalities and Peoples Regional State, Ethiopia. Four kebeles with distinct altitude were selected pu...
Abstract: Water is scarce resource in Central Rift Valley of Ethiopia and is major limiting factor for crop production. Onion is one of the major economically important vegetable crops grown under irrigation in central rift valley. The field experiment was conducted at Melkasa agricultural research center during the off-season to identify irrigation method and irrigation application level that maximizes productivity of onion per unit of water consumed and enhanced onion crop production. The ...
Abstract: Drought is a common shock in Ethiopia affecting livelihoods of the community. The study area is one of areas in Ethiopia suffering from recurrent drought. The community lacks capacity to absorb shocks and recover back quickly after shock which determined by different factors. The objective of the study was to identify and analyse coping strategies during shock and determinants of household resilience to drought related shocks. Primary data from 123 sample households was collected u...