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Role of Social Capital on Livelihood Strategies, Food Security and Income of Rural Households in Salale, Oromia, Ethiopia
Gari Duguma,
Fekadu Beyane,
Mengistu Ketema,
Kediri Jemal,
Beyan Ahmed
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 5, September 2023
Pages:
168-181
Received:
26 June 2023
Accepted:
27 July 2023
Published:
20 September 2023
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of social capital on rural households' income, food security, and livelihood strategies in Ethiopia's North Shea Zone. Utilizing questionnaires to gather data from 400 sample houses, descriptive statistics and econometric methods were used to analyze the results. The influence of the degree of social capital (trust and social organization) on the decision to choose one or more different livelihood strategies, household’s income, and food security was examined using a multinomial endogenous switching model (MESM). Depending on the answers to various questions posed to gauge the level of trust, and participation on social organizations were determined. The extent of trust is classified as high, medium, and low while extent of participation is classified as very high, high, medium and low levels. On the other hand, the MESM model divided the available livelihood possibilities into four categories: farming only, farming and non-farming, farming and off-farming, and farming, non-farming, and off-farming livelihood strategies. The estimated results show that high and very high levels of engagement in the social organization of the sample households boost farm households' total farm income and food security status in comparison to low level participant households. At a 1% chance level, this difference is statistically significant. High levels of social trust in the community considerably boost total farm income and food security for households at a 1% probability level when compared to farm households with low levels of social trust. The impact analysis of mean comparison reveals that very high level participation in local social organizations increases the farm households' livelihood diversification strategies by 40% over those of low participant households, while medium trust in the community did not demonstrate any significant relationships. A farmer with a high level of social trust in his community diversified his income sources by 59% more than a farmer with a low level of trust, which is statistically significant at his 5% level The results of this study therefore have important implications for both the well-being and living standards of beneficiaries, as well as the policies and measures that policy makers use to design strategies to improve rural livelihoods. It is also expected to have a significant impact on policy inputs.
Abstract: The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of social capital on rural households' income, food security, and livelihood strategies in Ethiopia's North Shea Zone. Utilizing questionnaires to gather data from 400 sample houses, descriptive statistics and econometric methods were used to analyze the results. The influence of the degree of soc...
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Analysis of Technical Efficiency of Potato Production: The Case of Smallholder Farmers in Welmera Woreda
Getachew Fikadu,
Gemechu Mulatu
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 5, September 2023
Pages:
182-196
Received:
20 January 2023
Accepted:
25 July 2023
Published:
9 October 2023
Abstract: In Ethiopia, increasing population pressure and low levels of agricultural productivity have contributed a lot to the food security problems by widening the gap between demand for and supply of food. Increasing productivity in crop production, which among others could be possible by enhancing the level of technical efficiency, is an important step towards enlightening food security. This study was aimed at estimating the levels of technical efficiencies of smallholder potato producer and to identify factors affecting efficiency performances of smallholder farmers in potato production in Welmera district, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia. A two stages sampling technique was used to select 150 sample farmers to collect primary data pertaining of 2019/20 production year. Both primary and secondary data sources were used for this study. Cobb-Douglas production function was fitted using stochastic production frontier approach to estimate technical efficiency levels, whereas a two-limit Tobit model was employed to identify factors affecting efficiency levels of the sampled farmers. The stochastic production frontier model indicated that input variables such as land, mineral fertilizers and seed were the significant inputs to increase the quantity of potato output. The estimated mean values of technical efficiency were 73.7%, which indicate the presence of inefficiency in potato production in the study area. A two-limit Tobit model result indicated that technical efficiency positively and significantly affected by age, education, farming experience, TLU, seeding/hoeing frequency, extension contact, frequency of agronomic practice training, access to cooperative, loan, access to work party/Debo, but negatively affected by land fragmentation. In general, the result indicated that there is a room to increase technical efficiency and thereby to increase productivity of potato producers in the study area.
Abstract: In Ethiopia, increasing population pressure and low levels of agricultural productivity have contributed a lot to the food security problems by widening the gap between demand for and supply of food. Increasing productivity in crop production, which among others could be possible by enhancing the level of technical efficiency, is an important step ...
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Dimensions of Food Insecurity and Its Determinants: The Case of Smallholder Farmers in Assosa District, Western Ethiopia
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 5, September 2023
Pages:
197-207
Received:
24 August 2023
Accepted:
20 September 2023
Published:
9 October 2023
Abstract: Most of the African countries including Ethiopia are often characterized by problems of food insecurity. Despite several efforts made so far to improve the overall food insecurity situation, the challenge is still prevalent problem in Ethiopia. Hence the study was designed with the main objectives of examining the dimension of food insecurity and identifying its determinants in Assosa district of Western Ethiopia. In order to attain these objectives, data were collected from 138 randomly selected households in four randomly selected kebeles of the district. Besides, data was collected using household survey, focus group discussions (FGDs), and key informant interviews. Data was analyzed using both descriptive statistics and econometric methods. On average, female headed households were more food insecure than male-headed households. Among the four pillars of dimension of food security are availability, access, utilization and stability. The smallholder Farmers at study area are mainly characterized by problem of food availability and accessibility. The result of the binary logistic regression revealed that sex of household, education level of household, farm income, off-farm income, distance to market access to agricultural services used and number of oxen has had substantial negative impact on food insecurity of the rural households. Other significant variable namely, age of household head was found to exert a positive impact on food insecurity. Food security issues at the Assosa district require more in-depth and continued study outputs and proper use and implementation of the information gained as the area is found to be influenced by several, interlocked and site specific dimensions and determinants that, of course, require immediate and coordinated attention from different stakeholders.
Abstract: Most of the African countries including Ethiopia are often characterized by problems of food insecurity. Despite several efforts made so far to improve the overall food insecurity situation, the challenge is still prevalent problem in Ethiopia. Hence the study was designed with the main objectives of examining the dimension of food insecurity and i...
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Perception of Smallholder Chicken Farmers on Black Soldier Fly Larvae (BSFL) as a Super Alternative Protein Source for Chicken in Uasin Gishu County, Kenya
Gladys Jepchirchir Koech,
Priscilla Mkambe Nzaka,
Edith Gathungu,
George Owuor
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 5, September 2023
Pages:
208-216
Received:
25 August 2023
Accepted:
20 September 2023
Published:
9 October 2023
Abstract: This study evaluates the perception of smallholder chicken farmers in the utilization of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) as an alternative protein source, and its incorporation in livestock feed systems in Kenya, with a specific case of chicken farmers in Uasin Gishu, Kenya. The study employed a survey research design covering 245 smallholder chicken farmers interviewed through a semi-structured questionnaire. Results revealed that 72.5% of the chicken farmers were aware of the benefits of incorporating BSFL in chicken feed. Principal component analysis based on perception indices revealed that social acceptability, feed performance compared to conventional protein sources, and marketability of chicken products reared on BSFL were the key attributes guiding chicken farmers' buying decisions. Awareness of BSFL attributes, education level, access to agricultural extension services, group membership, and participation in off-farm activities significantly influenced chicken farmers' perceptions of BSFL. In conclusion, the study demonstrates that interventions such as training and farm demonstrations would increase chicken farmers' technical know-how on improving the productivity of chicken reared on BSFL. Accessing agricultural extension services is essential in reducing chicken farmers' uncertainties of accepting BSFL and encouraging the uptake of this rapidly growing and emerging technology. This work adds to the current understanding of BSFL-based feeds and creates opportunities for further linkages between chicken farmers, public-private partnerships, policymakers, feed manufacturers, and consumers of chicken products.
Abstract: This study evaluates the perception of smallholder chicken farmers in the utilization of black soldier fly larvae (BSFL) as an alternative protein source, and its incorporation in livestock feed systems in Kenya, with a specific case of chicken farmers in Uasin Gishu, Kenya. The study employed a survey research design covering 245 smallholder chick...
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Research Article
Determinants and Roles of Social Trust on Income and Food Security Status of Smallholder Farmers in North Shewa Zone Oromia, Ethiopia
Gari Duguma,
Fekedu Beyene,
Mengistu Ketem,
Kedir Jemal,
Bayan Ahmed
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 5, September 2023
Pages:
217-227
Received:
4 September 2023
Accepted:
22 September 2023
Published:
30 October 2023
Abstract: Social trust is the major component of cognitive social capital which is one of the most important assets in livelihoods. The levels of social trust have effects on rural household’s livelihood strategies and has influence on food and nutrition security and income status of rural households which are usually affected by climatic and non-climatic shocks. This study was identifying the determinants of social trust and analyzing its effects on rural households’ income and food security in north Shewa zone Oromia regional state of Ethiopia. Primary data was collected from 400 sample respondents in the 2022 production year. Looking into the estimated coefficients, the results indicated that probabilities of being in the different extents of social trust are significantly influenced by eight explanatory variables. These variables were; media, agro-ecology, education, extension contact, credit, livestock holding, farm income, and weather road distance. However, having high level of social trust in the community significantly increases households' total farm income by 66% over low trusted farm households at a 1% probability level. Similarly, having medium and high level of social trust in the community significantly increases households' food security status by 23 and 46% over low trusted farm households at a 1% probability level. Therefore, the result of this study would be expected to significantly contribute as policy and strategic inputs for policymakers in designing rural livelihood improvement policies and to the beneficiary in enhancing their welfare and living standard.
Abstract: Social trust is the major component of cognitive social capital which is one of the most important assets in livelihoods. The levels of social trust have effects on rural household’s livelihood strategies and has influence on food and nutrition security and income status of rural households which are usually affected by climatic and non-climatic sh...
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