Journal of Agriculture and Environmental Sciences

Effect of replacing wheat bran with urea molasses-treated groundnut hull on the performance of Gumuz Goats at Pawe Agricultural Research Center

Atala Marie, Yeshambel Mekuriaw, Likawent Yeheyis, Habtie Arega — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

In this experiment, urea molasses-treated groundnut hull (UMTGH) was evaluated as a replacement for wheat bran (WB) on the basis of nutrient utilization, body weight change, carcass characteristics, and economic feasibility of Gumuz goats fed on natural pasture hay (NPH) as a basal diet in Ethiopia. The study was conducted using 20 yearling intact male Gumuz goats with an initial body weight of 15.36 ±0.87 kg (mean ±SD). The feeding trial was conducted for 90 days, followed by a 10-day digestibility trial. The treatments were ad libitum feeding of NPH supplemented with 493 g UMTGH (T1), 360 g UMTGH + 76 g WB (T2), 240 g UMTGH + 152 g WB (T3), 120 g UMTGH + 228 g WB (T4), and 312 g WB (T5) on iso-nitrogen basis. Urea molasses treatment improved crude protein (CP) by 50% and reduced fibers by 20% of the ground nut hull. Crude protein (CP) intake and nutrient digestibility were significantly increased as the UMTGH increased. Body gain, hot carcass weight, and dressing percentage were the highest in T4. The economic feasibility test showed that T4 returned a higher net income (464.1ETB/goat) than the other treatments. It was concluded that 120 g UMTGH+228g WB (T4) could be used as supplement feed in the diets of Gumuz goats to reduce the cost of concentrate feed by partially replacing WB.

Changes in land use and land cover: effects on selected soil properties in Sdeyni Sub-watershed, Northeastern Ethiopia

Endalkachew Fekadu, Worku Teshome, Haile Getnet, Wondim Alemu — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Land use and land cover changes coupled with unplanned agricultural activities have contributed to land degradation. Hence, this study evaluated land use land cover changes, and effects on properties of soils in the Sdeyni sub-watershed in Northeastern Ethiopia. Satellite images for the periods of 1984, 2000, and 2020 were gathered to analyze the land use changes. Crop land, forest land, and bush-land were selected to determine their effects on soil properties. Eighteen disturbed composite and 18 undisturbed core soil samples were collected from the selected three land use types at two depths replicated three times. The results showed that within 36 years, the overall pattern of forest land declined by 1080.49 ha (10.34%) with an annual rate of 0.028%. The LULC analysis showed that the area of bush-land decreased by 4.27% during the first period (1984-2000), and by 0.91 % during the second period (2000-2020). Significantly large areas in the watershed are devoted for crop category while the smallest portion is covered by settlement part. Contrary to this, an increase in the size of cultivated and settlement lands were detected by 5.1 and 3.6%, respectively, compared to 1984. In all land uses, bulk density increased with depth, where the highest value was obtained in the croplands. Across land uses, soil pH varied from 5.57 to 6.93 and it was found in a moderately acidic soil reaction. Significantly higher contents of organic matter, total Nitrogen, and available Phosphorus were obtained on the surface soil of the forest lands. Exchangeable bases and cation exchange capacity showed significant differences among land use types and soil depths. All the analyzed bases were more concentrated in the subsoil of the forest lands whereas lowest values were observed on the crop lands. Generally, forest land declined, while an increase in the cultivated and settlement lands was the major land use land cover change. Croplands in the watershed were found poor in soil nutrient content. Therefore, immediate policy interventions are required to protect the forest lands and improve sustainable agricultural productivity.

Multidimensional food security status of households and its determinants in Dera Woreda, North West Ethiopia

Koyachew Enkuahone Kassie, Destaye Tarekegn Yimer, Getachew Eshetu Gidelew — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The concept of food security and its measurement approach has evolved over time. Previously, food security was primarily viewed from the supply side (food availability). Today, however, food security is recognized as a multidimensional concept encompassing at least four components: food availability, access, utilization, and stability. Consequently, national and international food policymakers require information generated from multidimensional food security indicators. Despite this need, studies to date have often analyzed food security using a single dimension. This study employed a recently developed approach, called the Multidimensional Food Security Index (MFI), to analyze the multidimensional food security status of households and its determinants in Dera Woreda. The index was developed from 24 questions designed to address different dimensions of food security (quantity, quality/diversity, and acceptability). Data were collected from 205 randomly selected households, four focus group discussions, and eight key informant interviews. The findings show that 43.41%, 26.34%, 19.02%, and 11.22% of households fall into the categories of mildly food insecure, food secure, moderately food insecure, and severely food insecure, respectively, in terms of multidimensional food security. Using a multinomial logit model, household-level variables such as the age of respondents, family size, farm income, marital status, and total farm size were identified as determinants of multidimensional food security in the study area. The study concluded that, despite the production potential, food insecurity prevalence in the area is high. Therefore, to improve the multidimensional food security status of households, relevant stakeholders should undertake both short-and long-term actions, focusing on the variables identified as determinants of multidimensional food security.

Phenotypic characterization of indigenous goat population in North Wollo Zone, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Yeshareg Taye, Mengistie Taye, Kefyalew Alemayehu, Zeleke Tesema — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study characterized indigenous goats in the North Wollo Zone, Amhara region, Ethiopia, focusing on their morphometric traits. A total of 550 goats (467 does and 83 bucks) were randomly selected for data collection, excluding pregnant and sick animals. Eight qualitative 19 (bucks) and 24 (does) linear body measurements were measured. Statistical analysis revealed that the agro-ecological zone, sex, and age significantly influenced both qualitative and quantitative traits. Highland goats, male goats, and older goats were generally larger. There was a positive and significant correlation between body weight and linear body measurements for both males and females. Among the body measurements, chest girth was identified as the best predictor of body weight, explaining more variation than other traits. These findings provide valuable insights into the morphometric characteristics of indigenous goats and can serve as a baseline for future research on goat breeding and management in the region. The study highlights the importance of understanding local goat populations to improve livestock management practices in smallholder systems.

Review on disease resistance genes in chicken: Implications for genetic improvement

Bekalu Muluneh, Mengistie Taye, Tadelle Dessie, Dessie Salilew Wondim — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Diseases pose significant challenges to the chicken industry, which commonly employs preventive measures to combat them. However, recently, molecular breeding for disease resistance has presented an opportunity for sustainable chicken production. Disease resistance in chickens is a complex trait influenced by genetic factors, host-pathogen interactions, and environmental stressors. Poultry has shown genetic resistance to various pathogens, necessitating an understanding of the genetic basis of disease resistance in chickens. Recent molecular biology and genotyping technologies have facilitated the identification of disease-resistance genes and the development of marker-assisted and genomic selection strategies. This review synthesized the genes and gene regions that code for disease resistance explored so far in chickens and their potential applications in breeding programs to enhance the disease resistance of chickens. Promising candidate genes for disease resistance include myeloid leukaemia factor 2, Natural Resistance Associated Macrophage Proteins-1, interferon regulatory factor 1, myxovirus resistance 1, transferrin, and MHC class II antigen B-F minor heavy chain. These genetic markers can be incorporated into breeding programs to enhance disease resistance and overall productivity in chickens. However, it presents challenges in collecting sufficient genomic and phenotypic data from small populations of indigenous chicken ecotypes in developing countries.

Comparative nutrient removal efficiency of three Cyperus species in vertical flow type of constructed wetlands, Sebeta, Ethiopia

Adamneh Dagne, Aschalew Lakew, Seferu Tadesse, Fikadu Hailemichael — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

River water pollution is increasingly widespread in and around Addis Ababa and can lead to problems with users if not properly treated. Constructed wetlands are a promising solution and are being used by several countries. In this study three Cyperus species (Cyperus alternifolius, Cyperus papyrus and Cyperus usitatus) and substrate only were investigated for their removal efficiencies of TSS, BOD, NH₄-N, NO₃-N, TP and total coliforms (TC) from polluted river water in a free vertical surface flow (VSSF) wetland system. The maximum NO₃-N, BOD, TSS, NH₄-N and TP removal efficiency by C. cyperus were 95.5%, 78.5%, 76.1%, 68.2% and 66%, respectively. C. alternifolius was superior in removal efficiency compared with other treatments but C. papyrus was the highest in TC removal (92.2%). Treatment with substrate only has the lowest removal efficiency. No significant differences were observed in the removal efficiency of Cyperus species and substrate only among 3, 5 and 7 days of hydraulic retention time. Apart from nutrient removal, constructed wetland cells purified and improved the colour of the wastewater which is an added advantage to change the appearance of polluted rivers. C. alternifolius and C. papyrus have a higher nutrients, TSS and BOD removal efficiencies and can be considered from a treatment perspective in constructed wetland. Further research is required to select multipurpose wetland plants with high wastewater removal efficiency, and potential as livestock feed which was not determined in this experiment.

Health and welfare problems of donkeys in North and South Wollo Zones, Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Sat, 28 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Abstract

In Ethiopia there is huge population of donkeys with prominent roles in the rural community. Donkeys play a vital role in the North and South Wollo Zones of Amhara Region, Ethiopia. However, limited studies were found on the welfare, health and management-related problems of donkeys. This study was conducted to assess the health and welfare problems of donkeys in selected districts of Eastern Amhara, Ethiopia. Direct observation and indirect questionnaire assessment methods were used to collect welfare data. A total of 159 working donkeys were examined directly in their homestead, grain mill centers and market of loading and unloading centers. A questionnaire survey (n =780) was conducted on purposively selected donkey owners to assess the attitudes and management practices in relation to welfare and health-related data. The majority of the respondents (93%) in the study area had no knowledge or information on donkey health and welfare issues. Donkey owners (46%) didn’t have a separate house for donkeys. Strangles, colic, pneumonia, wound, anthrax and equine sarcoid are important donkey diseases respectively. Heat stroke, disease, feed shortage; improper harnessing, overloading and overworking are important welfare problems of donkeys. Disease (28.5%), overloading (28.4%) and poor harnessing (25.2%) were important causes of wounds. The prevalence of wounds was significantly associated with flour cooling practice (χ²= 17.1; P=0.001) where donkeys loaded without flour cooling had a greater prevalence of wound. Despite their benefits, most owners had incorrect attitudes towards their donkeys. In conclusion working donkeys in the study area were experiencing a multifactorial health and welfare problems. Awareness creation about the better management practices of pack donkeys to owners through mass education, training and extension service should be promoted.

Adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices by grape-producing smallholder farmers in Dodoma, Tanzania

Dickson Utonga, Sekela A. Mundilege, Tracey E. Masigazwa, Veronica M. Kihungwe — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Sustainable agricultural practices are vital for enhancing productivity, resilience, and sustainability among smallholder farmers in developing countries like Tanzania. Various factors frequently constrain the adoption of such practices despite their importance. This study examined the factors influencing the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices (CSAPs) among smallholder grape farmers in Dodoma, Tanzania. We analyzed data collected from 120 farmers, selected through a multistage sampling procedure, using descriptive statistics and a multivariate probit model. The analysis assessed the effect of various factors on the adoption of crop rotation, crop diversification, intercropping, pest and disease management, and water and nutrient management. The findings reveal that access to finance, while negatively associated with crop diversification, significantly promoted the adoption of crop rotation. Male-headed households were less likely to adopt crop rotation, whereas married households were more inclined to adopt intercropping, water and nutrient management, and pest and disease management practices. Interestingly, increased grape yield and access to training slightly discouraged the adoption of intercropping and water management practices. Additionally, access to extension services positively influenced the adoption of pest and disease management, contributing to more sustainable farming practices. This study recommends that policymakers work with financial institutions to enhance financial access by providing affordable input loans. To effectively engage both male and female farmers, development practitioners should design gender-sensitive outreach programs and strengthen extension services. Furthermore, local governments and NGOs should implement targeted interventions to encourage widespread adoption of CSAPs, fostering sustainability and resilience in grape farming.

Comparison of the profitability of conservation and conventional agriculture in Bahi District, Dodoma, Tanzania

Saimon G. Mbaga, Yonika M. Ngaga, Greyson Z. Nyamoga — Sat, 28 Dec 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Conservation agriculture is gaining global recognition as an alternative to conventional farming, offering economic and environmental benefits. However, despite efforts to promote it, many farmers continue to rely on conventional practices. This study was conducted in Bahi district, Dodoma region, Tanzania, to compare the financial performance of conservation and conventional agriculture. The research evaluated financial returns, profitability, crop yields, income, and input costs associated with both practices. Using a mix of purposive and random sampling techniques, data were analyzed through descriptive statistics, Return on Investment (ROI), Gross Profit Margin (GPM), and content analysis. Results showed that conservation agriculture yielded higher profitability, with an ROI of 189% and a GPM of 65% per hectare, compared to conventional agriculture's 34% ROI and 25% GPM. Despite Conservation Agriculture having more benefits, some farmers have continued to use conventional agriculture due to various barriers including financial constraints, limited exposure, knowledge gaps, inadequate agricultural inputs, drought, pest and disease issues, and market unavailability. Additionally, the labor-intensive nature of farm preparation and the lack of farm instruments further hinder adoption. To enhance the adoption of conservation agriculture, the study recommends collaboration among the government, agricultural research institutions, and project implementers to address key challenges. Specifically, efforts should focus on improving access to agricultural loans to overcome financial barriers, raising awareness through training programs, ensuring the availability of agricultural inputs, and developing innovations to simplify CA processes.