Access and Use of Information Sources by Agricultural Researchers of Fadis and Mechara Agricultural Research Centers, Ethiopia (Published)
Access and use of information is required to improve agricultural production and productivity. Information is believed to be the foundation for improved agriculture. There are different sources of information but what matters are ‘what’ sources are available and relevant to the different categories of users and what sources of information are useful for their different seeking behavior, and mainly for utilization in order to accomplish tasks/needs. This study was conducted to assess the access and use of information sources by agricultural researchers in Fadis and Mechara Agricultural Research Centers of Ethiopia. The went further to identify how researchers search, articulate and utilize the information sources. Questionnaire was used to collect quantitative data and focus group discussion and observation were used to qualitative data from the entire researchers of the two Research Center. The collected data was analyzed using Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS) version 23 and triangulation respectively. Findings revealed that majority of researchers have physical access to computer in office while some of the researchers have no computer access even in office. The available computers are not fully functional because of the absence of skilled ICT person who maintain the damaged computer at the centers. The use of internet and library visit is not adequate in the study areas thereby led to minimum satisfaction to existing information services. The study therefore recommended that effort should be made to train specialists to keep the available information sources effective and efficient so as to improve information access and utilization.
Keywords: Access, Ethiopia, Information, Sources, researchers, use
Promotion of Dual-Purpose Koekoek Chicken Breeds in Selected Districts of East Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia (Published)
Demonstration research was conducted at Lume, Ada’a and Akaki Districts of East Shewa zone Oromia Regional State of Ethiopia. The main objective of the study was to demonstrate koekoek chicken technology. The study went further to improve farmers’ income and evaluate the perception of farmers towards the demonstrated technology in the study areas. A total thirty farmers were selected purposively with the support of District Agricultural Office Experts from the three selected Districts of East Shewa Zone based on the willingness of farmers and their poultry farming experiences. Training was provided for the selected farmers and other concerning experts on poultry feed, health and management. A total of 1687 a day old coekoek chicken breeds were distributed to the trained farmers for two consecutive years. The study found that majority 46.7% of the breeds started laying egg at earlier age (26 weeks) compared to local chicken breeds and confirmed that the dual-purpose koekoek chicken breeds are more preferred by their body weight, egg production, egg marketability and age at egg laying compared to local chicken breeds. The participants revealed that the demonstrated chicken breeds are similar to local chicken in terms of disease resistance and non-vulnerability to predators. Based on the results, the researchers recommended that wider scaling up of dual purpose koekoek chicken breeds can contribute to the household income improvement.
Keywords: Dual purpose, East Shewa, Ethiopia, Koekoek, chicken
Assessment of sheep production system in Burie District, North Western Ethiopia (Published)
The study was conducted in Burie District to assess the sheep production system and to identify and prioritize the sheep production constraints. Informal and formal surveys were conducted in four selected kebeles of Burie District, namely, Woheni Durebetie, Woyenema Ambaye, Denbun and Boko Tabo. The farmers interviewed in the informal survey were selected purposively and for the formal survey, by systematic random sampling method. Farmers rear sheep for two main purposes, for cash income and home slaughter on festivals. On average, one household had 3.7±2.46 heads of sheep (n = 127). Washera and Horro sheep breeds were found in the area. There were more Washera sheep (98%) in Woheni Durebetie Kebele and more Horro sheep (92%) in Boko Tabo Kebele. The main feed resources for sheep were natural pasture and stubble grazing. Most farmers supplement common salt and Atella (a local beer (Tela) residue) to their sheep. Feed shortage occurs both during the dry and rainy seasons in the highland kebeles. There was a deficit of 0.7 ton DM feed per household per year in the highland kebeles. The sheep production system is subsistence-oriented. Sheep diseases, lack of adequate veterinary service and feed and nutrient shortage were the main sheep production constraints in the area in that order of importance. To improve sheep production in Burie District, these constraints should be given more emphasis in research and development activities that are going to be undertaken in the study area
Keywords: Ethiopia, Production constraints, Production system, Sheep