Ethiopian Journal of Development Research

Farmer’s Perceived Impacts of Climate Change on Agricultural Production and Coping Strategies in Arsi Negelle Woreda, Ethiopia

Koricho Leta, Meskerem Abi — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study examines trends in climate variability, smallholders' perceptions of changes in climate and its impacts on agricultural production; further it identifies the coping strategies implemented in the study area, Arsi Negelle Woreda. Data was collected through surveys with 131 households. In addition, annual average temperature and precipitation data from 1983 and 2016 were obtained from the National Meteorological Agency of Ethiopia. The study applied the Coefficient of Variation, Standard Rainfall Anomaly, a nonparametric Sen's slope estimator, and Mann–Kendall's trend tests to detect the magnitude and statistical significance of climate variability in the study area. The Multinomial regression models were used to analyze farmers' decisions to choose climate change coping strategies. The findings revealed that farmers recognize significant challenges like drought, crop failures, and pest outbreaks. Consequently, most farmers chose drought and disease-resistant short-season variety (75%), crop diversification (66%), and irrigation (47%) strategies to adapt to the changing climate. The regression model indicated that education, farmland size, sex of household head, access to credit, and market access and extension services were the key factors determining farmers' decisions to choose climate change coping practices. Thus, increasing their engagement in livelihood diversification is the best alternative way of coping mechanism. The study further concludes that area-specific coping strategies are crucial to reducing the adverse impact of climate change on agricultural production and food security.

Mitigating the Bullwhip Effect Through Sustainable Supply Chain Practices: A Systematic Literature Review

Mekonnen Bogale, Endalkachew Desta — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The study's primary purpose was to review studies on the bullwhip effect and mitigate its negative impacts through sustainable supply chain practices. To accomplish the study, a comprehensive review of the literature was conducted along with the application of screening criteria. Data extraction was carried out using preferred reporting items for systematic reviews by the inclusion and exclusion criteria for the articles. The analysis of 40 publications already published in Google Scholar, Wiley, Springer, Taylor & Francis, Emerald Insight, and Science Direct, yielded useful information. The bullwhip effect threatens hierarchical structural supply networks among the most obvious signs of supply chain inefficiencies. The bullwhip effect is mostly caused by interruptions in the flow of information and resources, lead-time delays, a lack of coordination, and fear of stocking in the face of local risk factors. To address the bullwhip effect, one should adopt a comprehensive strategy that considers all the variables contributing to its occurrence and follows the consequences. To develop appropriate remedies, it is crucial to consider this phenomenon's dynamics, causes, and effects. Most researchers argue that sustainable supply chain practices are useful for dealing with various supply chain management problems. A literature study on reducing the bullwhip effect through sustainable supply chain practices benefits academics, researchers, practitioners, politicians, and business groups by providing comprehensive knowledge and decision-making support.

Impacts of Railway Development Induced Land Displacement on Households’ Livelihoods in South Wello Zone of Amhara Region, Ethiopia

Adane Egze, Tesfaye Zeleke, Abrham Seyoum — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study analyzed the impacts of land displacement due to railway development on households' livelihoods in the South Wello Zone of the Amhara Region, Ethiopia. Using both primary and secondary data, the research relied on the responses of 213 randomly selected households. It utilized ordered logistic regression analysis and propensity score matching. The findings demonstrated that advancing from elementary to tertiary education increases the likelihood of developing human capital in terms of skills and education by 3.80 (p < 0.001). Similarly, progressing from elementary to certificate training raises this likelihood by 1.90 (p < 0.001). Employment status also plays a pivotal role, with own-farm employment showing higher livelihood sustainability compared to other types of employment such as private business or organizational work. The findings emphasized the critical roles of education, employment opportunities, and resource accessibility in post-displacement livelihood recovery. The study calls for strategic interventions to address the challenges of land displacement and promote sustainable livelihoods throughout development intervention.

Food, Feeding Habits and Reproductive Biology of Red Belly Tilapia (T. zillii) in Lake Tinishu Abaya, Ethiopia: Implication for Food Security and Income

Mesobework Kassa, Elias Dadebo, Girma Tilahun — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Understanding food, feeding habits and the reproductive dynamics of fish species is essential for fishery management. This study examines food, feeding habits and the reproductive biology of the red belly tilapia (Tilapia zillii) in Lake Tinishu Abaya sampled from February 2023 to January 2024. Stomach content analysis was conducted using frequency of occurrence and volumetric methods of analyses. The diet primarily consisted of phytoplankton (52.9%), detritus (21.2%), and macrophytes (20.8%) by volume. Seasonal shifts noted variation was slight during the study period. Smaller fish consumed zooplankton and insects, while adults fed on macrophytes and detritus. Of the 620 fish captured, 65.3% were males, resulting in a male-to-female ratio of 1:0.53, significantly differing from a 1:1 ratio. The length at which 50% reached sexual maturity was 14.1 cm for males and 14.2 cm for females, with an average fecundity of 284.8 eggs per female. Breeding peaked from February to June, with continuous breeding observed year-round. These findings underscore the importance of effective management strategies to enhance fish populations and promote sustainable fishery practices. Such initiatives are vital for supporting local communities that depend on these resources for their livelihoods. Additionally, further research is needed on the dynamics of sex ratios in Lake Tinishu Abaya.

Looking into Ethiopian government’s policy responses towards COVID-19 in the eyes of tourism entrepreneurs

Shiferaw Muleta Eyana — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The tourism and hospitality industry falls under the category of services which were the hardest hit economic sectors to COVID-19 globally. COVID-19 has drastically altered the tourism and hospitality landscape in Ethiopia. Nonetheless, there is a scarcity of studies examining the government’s policy responses to support tourism and hospitality businesses in Ethiopia during the pandemic. The aim of this study is twofold: (1) to assess the effects of COVID-19 on tourism and hospitality businesses in Ethiopia from the owners’ perspective and (2) to examine the opinion of tourism entrepreneurs on the enactment of the policy responses of the Ethiopian government. Data were collected from the owner-managers and presidents of the respective associations of these businesses and experts through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. The results reveal that the fiscal and monetary measures introduced by the government to mitigate the pandemic’s impact were not implemented and thus remained ineffective. The study discusses how and why these fiscal measures, such as postponement and cancellation of tax payments and getting loans from banks at lower interest rates, were not implemented. It also discusses the reasons why the pledged government grants remained ineffectual. The study adds new insight on the enactment of government’s policy measures during the pandemic and thus has academic implications. The study has also policy implications since it should spark discussions among tourism scholars and practitioners on the reliance of businesses on the government support alone during such a crisis, particularly in the context of developing countries, where resources are scarce and government bureaucracies are inefficient

Adoption of Improved Soybean Varieties by Smallholder Farmers in Northwestern Ethiopia: Double Hurdle Model Approach

Yaregal Fekadu, Alemu Azmeraw, Takele Atnafu — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The study examined the major factors determining adoption and intensity of adoption of improved soybean varieties by smallholder farmers in Pawe district of Metekel Zone, Benishangul Gumuz Regional State. It employed mixed methods survey design, with concurrent triangulation as its specific strategy. A total of sample of 308 household heads (197 adopters and 111 non-adopters) were randomly selected using probability proportionate to size method from a total of 1337 households of the four sampled kebeles. The research used questionnaires, FGDs, KIIs, observations and survey of secondary data as methods of data collection. The study employed double hurdle model to analyse the data on the major factors influencing the adoption and intensity of adoption of improved soybean varieties by smallholder soybean producers. The result of first hurdle of double hurdle model revealed that adoption decisions of improved soybean varieties were determined via frequencies of extension contacts, agricultural trainings, field-day participations and annual income positively whereas distance to the market and farm size negatively. The second-hurdle result, on the other hand, depicted that adoption intensity of improved soybean varieties was influenced by sex of household heads, credit access, annual income and TLU positively, whereas age of household heads influenced negatively. Generally, the findings highlighted the importance of addressing constraints associated with extension contacts, participation in trainings, field day participations, facilitated credit access, and increased TLU ownership capable of improving the adoption and intensity of adoption of improved soybean varieties. This, in turn, would help to improve the income and livelihoods of rural smallholder soybean producers in Pawe District of Benishangul Gumuz Region.

Predictors of Hate Speech Propagation and on Facebook Among the Youth in Ethiopian Government Universities: Evidence form Haramaya and Dire Dawa Universities

Ekram Birhanu, Melisew Dejene, Eyasu Yaya — Wed, 05 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Though the issue of hate speech is not a new phenomenonto Ethiopia,its visibility hasincreased due to its propagation specificallythrough social mediainducing political and social instability among the youth and beyond. There had been notheoretical /empirical studies examining the predictors that propagate Hate Speech on Facebook among University youthin Ethiopia. This study aimed to assess the propagation and predictors of hate speech on Facebook among the youth in Haramaya and Dire Dawa Universities.The studyemployed cross-sectional survey design to pool quantitative data from university youth enrolled in Eastern Ethiopia. Data was collected through self-developed structured questionnaires from a random sample of377 university youthwho claimed to be Facebook users. We adopted the Uses and gratifications theory and the ‘social media logic’ to explain the findings. The findings suggested that majority of the sampled youth have used Facebook for over six years and spent more than four hours aday. Paradoxical it may seem, the youth had both positive andnegative attitude towards hate speech when they were exposed to ethnically-induced hate, albeit majority of them spread hate on purpose. The outcome of the multiple linear regression model revealed that attitude was the strongest predictor of hate speech followed respectively by exposure, purpose, level of educationand age. Concerned stakeholders need to collaborate in media literacy education to tackle hate speech propagation among university youth

Dynamic Capabilities for Sustainable Competitiveness of Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs): Mediating Role of Innovation Capabilities and Product Quality

Wed, 05 Feb 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The role of internal capabilities in the competitiveness of Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) is not well documented in the literature from the perspective of an emerging economy, nor is the role of dynamic and innovation capabilities in their competitiveness conclusive. Therefore, this research examines the impact of dynamic and innovation capabilities, and product quality on SME competitiveness. Data were collected using a survey from 459 SMEs, operating in the manufacturing sector. Structural equation modeling was employed to analyze the proposed model's research hypotheses and path relationships. The result of the study revealed that a firm’s innovation capabilities, product quality, and competitiveness are significantly and positively affected by its dynamic capabilities. Moreover, the path between dynamic capabilities and competitiveness is partially mediated through innovation capabilities. However, product quality failed to mediate the path between dynamic and innovative capabilities and competitiveness. The research findings provide practical implications for policymakers in designing strategies that focus on internal capability developments. In addition, it draws some managerial attention to investing in internal capability focusing on continuous learning and internal and external resource integration to drive customer satisfaction for the sustainable competitiveness of SMEs