The varying circumstances driven by climate threats and the consequences posed on the environment... more The varying circumstances driven by climate threats and the consequences posed on the environment and humans of dry-land regions, where pastorals and agro-pastorals dominantly live have become the prior policy concerns in Africa. Hence, this study was tended to investigate the effects of various adaptation measures on the income level of pastorals and agro-pastorals in northern Ethiopia. Data were gathered using semi-structured questionnaires including qualitative ideas obtained from group discussants and key informants. The study revealed that repeated droughts caused by climate change left the pastorals and agro-pastorals with herd decimation due to lack of animal feed. In responding this, they applied various adaptation actions such as water harvesting schemes; fodder production, feed purchase, migration, livestock diversification and animal restocking. Using such measures, cattle owners generated income from livestock, cropping, sales of fuel-wood, agricultural wages, remittance...
Displacement due to Large-Scale Agricultural Investments (LSAIs) is on the rise globally and in A... more Displacement due to Large-Scale Agricultural Investments (LSAIs) is on the rise globally and in Africa. However, the impact of such displacement on the income and asset holding status of the displaced smallholders is not well explored. This study, therefore, empirically analyzed such impact taking Ethiopia as a case. A household survey covering different aspects of rural income sources and assets was collected from 255 displaced farmers and 266 non-displaced farmers in Adamitulu and Dugda districts. Propensity score matching technique (PSM) was applied to assess the impacts. The study findings indicated a significant reduction of income and assets among the displaced households. The mean annual income of the displaced households has declined by 72% (97,000 Ethiopian Birr (ETB)) compared to that of the income of the non-displaced households. Moreover, the livestock and productive assets holding of the displaced smallholders declined by 2.4 tropical livestock units (TLU) and 5219.6 ETB (69%) respectively compared to the non-displaced households. This implies displacement due to the LSAIs has worsened the income and asset condition of the displaced households in Ethiopia. Therefore, policymakers should put in place specific interventions to protect the income and asset holding of displaced smallholders. Empirical analysis of the impacts of LSAIs on livestock and productive asset possession of the displaced households is a key contribution of this study, and not well researched before.
10-part Global Development Network (GDN) Agriculture Policy Series for its project, ‘Supporting P... more 10-part Global Development Network (GDN) Agriculture Policy Series for its project, ‘Supporting Policy Research to Inform Agricultural Policy in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia’. It is based on a longer synthesis paper, Irrigation and water use efficiency in Sub-Saharan Africa, which draws on extensive published and unpublished research. The full paper can be downloaded at: www.agripolicyoutreach.org
Abstract Though livestock are one of the major contributors to climate change through emission of... more Abstract Though livestock are one of the major contributors to climate change through emission of greenhouse gases (GHG), the intensity of emission and the mitigation potential from this sector is not clearly known in the study regions. Therefore, the present study was designed to estimate the emission of GHGs from the livestock sector over the time period (2003/04–2017/18) and evaluate the mitigation potential using the global livestock environment assessment model (GLEAM). Both primary and secondary data sources were used to obtain data on livestock population, herd parameters, feeding practices, and manure management. The study revealed an increasing trend of GHG from 2003/04 to 2017/18, where the annual emission increased with an average 3.8 Mt carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-eq) for all species and 3.3 Mt CO2-eq for cattle alone at national level. Though there is some variation between regions, methane (CH4) was the major gas emitted from ruminant production followed by nitrous oxide (N2O), however the emission of N2O was higher (> 70%) in poultry production. The emission intensity from chicken egg and meat, 1.8–3.3 and 2.2–7.2 kg CO2-eq/kg of product, respectively, was much lower than the emission intensity of meat from small ruminants (16.4–51.5 kg CO2-eq/kg of product) and cattle (34.2–148.2 kg CO2-eq/kg of product). Implementing the integrated mitigation approach has much pronounced reduction effect on GHG emissions as well as increasing the productivity of the livestock sector. Unless mitigation measures are taken, the sector’s emission will increase over time. Thus, federal and regional governments, and partner organizations working in the sector need to give more attention and implement the initiatives identified in the Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) strategy and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recommendations to mitigate GHG emissions from the livestock sector.
International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, 2020
PurposeThe purpose of this systematic review was to assess the determinant factors of climate cha... more PurposeThe purpose of this systematic review was to assess the determinant factors of climate change adaptation (CCA) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).Design/methodology/approachStudies that focused on determinant factors of CCA by crop–livestock farmers and pastoralists in SSA and written in English were reviewed from five major databases using the applications of Endnote and NVivo. The review process followed a sequence of steps to reach into the final selection.FindingsA total of 3,028 papers were recovered from the databases and screened for duplicates (777) and publications before 2000 (218). The titles and abstracts of 2,033 papers were reviewed, and 1,903 of them were excluded owing to preliminary exclusion criteria. Finally, 130 papers were selected for full-text review and more detailed assessment, where 36 papers qualified for the final review. The most important determinant factors of CCA by pastoralists were household income, access to information, access to extension service...
Despite the presence of several studies on technology adoption, there are limited empirical studi... more Despite the presence of several studies on technology adoption, there are limited empirical studies on how socio-psychological factors affect the adoption of sustainable agriculture. Therefore, this paper investigates how socio-psychological factors-such as social capital, information, attitudes, efficacy, and aversion-affect smallholder farmers’ decisions to adopt sustainable land management practices, such as agroforestry systems, organic compost, and crop rotation with legumes. Cross-sectional data are collected from 350 randomly selected farm households using a pre-tested and structured questionnaire. A multivariate probit model is used to investigate factors that influence the probability of adopting these practices. The ordered probit model is also applied to identify and analyze the determinants of the number (intensity) of land management practices adopted. The findings indicate that nearly half of the farmers have adopted these land management practices to improve soil fert...
The introduction of sustainable practices is considered a win-win strategy for low-income countri... more The introduction of sustainable practices is considered a win-win strategy for low-income countries because of its potential to simultaneously improve food security and address environmental issues. Despite the numerous studies that focus on the adoption of technological innovations, little work has been done on the socio-psychological behaviour of farmers with regard to sustainable practices. This study investigates smallholder farmers' intentions towards two practices: minimum tillage and row planting. The decomposed theory of planned behaviour is used as a theoretical framework to analyse the intentions. The findings reveal that attitudes and normative issues positively explain farmers' intentions to adopt both practices. Perceived control also has a positive significant effect on the intention to apply minimum tillage. When the intention is formed, farmers are expected to carry out their intention when opportunities arise. Moreover, perceived usefulness, social capital, ...
Land degradation is a serious global problem. To reclaim degraded land, many soil bunds have been... more Land degradation is a serious global problem. To reclaim degraded land, many soil bunds have been implemented. However, their effectiveness has not been studied in all regions of Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of soil bunds integrated with tree fodder species on selected soil properties and carbon stock in semi-arid areas of northern Ethiopia. Twenty-seven composite soil samples were collected from 20 cm depth. The soil parameters texture, soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), available phosphorus (Av.P) and available potassium (Av.K) were analysed. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA and mean comparisons were made using Tukey’s honestly significant difference test. Mean values of SOM (2.13%, 1.47% and 0.85%), CEC (150.42, 100.58 and 80.68 cmol kg−1 soil), TN (0.2, 0.14 and 0.08%), Av.P (7.08, 6.03 and 4.36 ppm), Av.K (1.52, 1.34 and 1.27 cmol kg−1 soil), soil carbon stock (SCS; 12.48, 10.47 and 4.7 t ha−1) and soil bulk density (BD; 1.35, 1.43 and 1.44 g m−3) were recorded in soil bunds integrated with forage species (ISB), soil bunds alone (SB) and non-conserved cultivated land (NC), respectively. The BD, SOM, CEC, TN and SCS showed a significant difference among the three cropland treatments and Av.P showed a significant difference only between (ISB and SB) and NC. The pH showed no significant differences and Av.K showed no significant difference between SB and NC. The findings indicate that integrating soil bunds with forage species was a better option to improve soil properties than soil bunds alone.
This paper examines the nature of community management of woodlots and investigates the determina... more This paper examines the nature of community management of woodlots and investigates the determinants of collective action and its effectiveness in managing woodlots, based on a survey of 100 villages in Tigray, northern Ethiopia. Despite limited current benefits received by community members, the woodlots contribute substantially to community wealth, increasing members' willingness to provide collective effort to manage the woodlots. We find that benefits are greater and problems less on woodlots managed at the village level than those managed at a higher municipality level, and that the average intensity of management is greater on village-managed woodlots. The factors that do significantly affect collective action include population density (higher collective labor input and lower planting density at intermediate than at low or high density), market access (less labor input, planting density and tree survival where market access is better), and presence of external organizatio...
The varying circumstances driven by climate threats and the consequences posed on the environment... more The varying circumstances driven by climate threats and the consequences posed on the environment and humans of dry-land regions, where pastorals and agro-pastorals dominantly live have become the prior policy concerns in Africa. Hence, this study was tended to investigate the effects of various adaptation measures on the income level of pastorals and agro-pastorals in northern Ethiopia. Data were gathered using semi-structured questionnaires including qualitative ideas obtained from group discussants and key informants. The study revealed that repeated droughts caused by climate change left the pastorals and agro-pastorals with herd decimation due to lack of animal feed. In responding this, they applied various adaptation actions such as water harvesting schemes; fodder production, feed purchase, migration, livestock diversification and animal restocking. Using such measures, cattle owners generated income from livestock, cropping, sales of fuel-wood, agricultural wages, remittance...
Displacement due to Large-Scale Agricultural Investments (LSAIs) is on the rise globally and in A... more Displacement due to Large-Scale Agricultural Investments (LSAIs) is on the rise globally and in Africa. However, the impact of such displacement on the income and asset holding status of the displaced smallholders is not well explored. This study, therefore, empirically analyzed such impact taking Ethiopia as a case. A household survey covering different aspects of rural income sources and assets was collected from 255 displaced farmers and 266 non-displaced farmers in Adamitulu and Dugda districts. Propensity score matching technique (PSM) was applied to assess the impacts. The study findings indicated a significant reduction of income and assets among the displaced households. The mean annual income of the displaced households has declined by 72% (97,000 Ethiopian Birr (ETB)) compared to that of the income of the non-displaced households. Moreover, the livestock and productive assets holding of the displaced smallholders declined by 2.4 tropical livestock units (TLU) and 5219.6 ETB (69%) respectively compared to the non-displaced households. This implies displacement due to the LSAIs has worsened the income and asset condition of the displaced households in Ethiopia. Therefore, policymakers should put in place specific interventions to protect the income and asset holding of displaced smallholders. Empirical analysis of the impacts of LSAIs on livestock and productive asset possession of the displaced households is a key contribution of this study, and not well researched before.
10-part Global Development Network (GDN) Agriculture Policy Series for its project, ‘Supporting P... more 10-part Global Development Network (GDN) Agriculture Policy Series for its project, ‘Supporting Policy Research to Inform Agricultural Policy in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia’. It is based on a longer synthesis paper, Irrigation and water use efficiency in Sub-Saharan Africa, which draws on extensive published and unpublished research. The full paper can be downloaded at: www.agripolicyoutreach.org
Abstract Though livestock are one of the major contributors to climate change through emission of... more Abstract Though livestock are one of the major contributors to climate change through emission of greenhouse gases (GHG), the intensity of emission and the mitigation potential from this sector is not clearly known in the study regions. Therefore, the present study was designed to estimate the emission of GHGs from the livestock sector over the time period (2003/04–2017/18) and evaluate the mitigation potential using the global livestock environment assessment model (GLEAM). Both primary and secondary data sources were used to obtain data on livestock population, herd parameters, feeding practices, and manure management. The study revealed an increasing trend of GHG from 2003/04 to 2017/18, where the annual emission increased with an average 3.8 Mt carbon dioxide equivalent (CO2-eq) for all species and 3.3 Mt CO2-eq for cattle alone at national level. Though there is some variation between regions, methane (CH4) was the major gas emitted from ruminant production followed by nitrous oxide (N2O), however the emission of N2O was higher (> 70%) in poultry production. The emission intensity from chicken egg and meat, 1.8–3.3 and 2.2–7.2 kg CO2-eq/kg of product, respectively, was much lower than the emission intensity of meat from small ruminants (16.4–51.5 kg CO2-eq/kg of product) and cattle (34.2–148.2 kg CO2-eq/kg of product). Implementing the integrated mitigation approach has much pronounced reduction effect on GHG emissions as well as increasing the productivity of the livestock sector. Unless mitigation measures are taken, the sector’s emission will increase over time. Thus, federal and regional governments, and partner organizations working in the sector need to give more attention and implement the initiatives identified in the Climate Resilient Green Economy (CRGE) strategy and Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) recommendations to mitigate GHG emissions from the livestock sector.
International Journal of Climate Change Strategies and Management, 2020
PurposeThe purpose of this systematic review was to assess the determinant factors of climate cha... more PurposeThe purpose of this systematic review was to assess the determinant factors of climate change adaptation (CCA) in sub-Saharan Africa (SSA).Design/methodology/approachStudies that focused on determinant factors of CCA by crop–livestock farmers and pastoralists in SSA and written in English were reviewed from five major databases using the applications of Endnote and NVivo. The review process followed a sequence of steps to reach into the final selection.FindingsA total of 3,028 papers were recovered from the databases and screened for duplicates (777) and publications before 2000 (218). The titles and abstracts of 2,033 papers were reviewed, and 1,903 of them were excluded owing to preliminary exclusion criteria. Finally, 130 papers were selected for full-text review and more detailed assessment, where 36 papers qualified for the final review. The most important determinant factors of CCA by pastoralists were household income, access to information, access to extension service...
Despite the presence of several studies on technology adoption, there are limited empirical studi... more Despite the presence of several studies on technology adoption, there are limited empirical studies on how socio-psychological factors affect the adoption of sustainable agriculture. Therefore, this paper investigates how socio-psychological factors-such as social capital, information, attitudes, efficacy, and aversion-affect smallholder farmers’ decisions to adopt sustainable land management practices, such as agroforestry systems, organic compost, and crop rotation with legumes. Cross-sectional data are collected from 350 randomly selected farm households using a pre-tested and structured questionnaire. A multivariate probit model is used to investigate factors that influence the probability of adopting these practices. The ordered probit model is also applied to identify and analyze the determinants of the number (intensity) of land management practices adopted. The findings indicate that nearly half of the farmers have adopted these land management practices to improve soil fert...
The introduction of sustainable practices is considered a win-win strategy for low-income countri... more The introduction of sustainable practices is considered a win-win strategy for low-income countries because of its potential to simultaneously improve food security and address environmental issues. Despite the numerous studies that focus on the adoption of technological innovations, little work has been done on the socio-psychological behaviour of farmers with regard to sustainable practices. This study investigates smallholder farmers' intentions towards two practices: minimum tillage and row planting. The decomposed theory of planned behaviour is used as a theoretical framework to analyse the intentions. The findings reveal that attitudes and normative issues positively explain farmers' intentions to adopt both practices. Perceived control also has a positive significant effect on the intention to apply minimum tillage. When the intention is formed, farmers are expected to carry out their intention when opportunities arise. Moreover, perceived usefulness, social capital, ...
Land degradation is a serious global problem. To reclaim degraded land, many soil bunds have been... more Land degradation is a serious global problem. To reclaim degraded land, many soil bunds have been implemented. However, their effectiveness has not been studied in all regions of Ethiopia. The objective of this study was to investigate the effect of soil bunds integrated with tree fodder species on selected soil properties and carbon stock in semi-arid areas of northern Ethiopia. Twenty-seven composite soil samples were collected from 20 cm depth. The soil parameters texture, soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), pH, cation exchange capacity (CEC), available phosphorus (Av.P) and available potassium (Av.K) were analysed. Statistical analyses were performed using one-way ANOVA and mean comparisons were made using Tukey’s honestly significant difference test. Mean values of SOM (2.13%, 1.47% and 0.85%), CEC (150.42, 100.58 and 80.68 cmol kg−1 soil), TN (0.2, 0.14 and 0.08%), Av.P (7.08, 6.03 and 4.36 ppm), Av.K (1.52, 1.34 and 1.27 cmol kg−1 soil), soil carbon stock (SCS; 12.48, 10.47 and 4.7 t ha−1) and soil bulk density (BD; 1.35, 1.43 and 1.44 g m−3) were recorded in soil bunds integrated with forage species (ISB), soil bunds alone (SB) and non-conserved cultivated land (NC), respectively. The BD, SOM, CEC, TN and SCS showed a significant difference among the three cropland treatments and Av.P showed a significant difference only between (ISB and SB) and NC. The pH showed no significant differences and Av.K showed no significant difference between SB and NC. The findings indicate that integrating soil bunds with forage species was a better option to improve soil properties than soil bunds alone.
This paper examines the nature of community management of woodlots and investigates the determina... more This paper examines the nature of community management of woodlots and investigates the determinants of collective action and its effectiveness in managing woodlots, based on a survey of 100 villages in Tigray, northern Ethiopia. Despite limited current benefits received by community members, the woodlots contribute substantially to community wealth, increasing members' willingness to provide collective effort to manage the woodlots. We find that benefits are greater and problems less on woodlots managed at the village level than those managed at a higher municipality level, and that the average intensity of management is greater on village-managed woodlots. The factors that do significantly affect collective action include population density (higher collective labor input and lower planting density at intermediate than at low or high density), market access (less labor input, planting density and tree survival where market access is better), and presence of external organizatio...
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