217 research outputs found
The microfinance mirage: The politics of poverty, social capital and women's empowerment in Ethiopia
No full textMicrofinance has long been considered a development strategy that can correct the failure of the global credit market and address the financial needs of the poor enabling them to create and run profitable business enterprises. The Microfinance Mirage argues that this neo–liberal oriented analysis overemphasises the economic argument whilst ignoring the cultural roots of inequality and subordination. Drawing on ethnographic research conducted among rural credit clients in the Northern region of Ethiopia, Esayas Bekele Geleta provides a nuanced critical analysis of microfinance challenging the common assumption that it facilitates the building of social capital, poverty reduction and the empowerment of women. Making a unique contribution to our further understanding of the microfinance industry the research shows that, in some cases, microfinance can result in the disintegration of pre–existing relationships and in the disruption and destruction of the livelihoods of the poor. Exploring the impact of microfinance in one of the poorest regions of sub–Saharan Africa, this book demonstrates its potential and problems and shows the complex and contradictory social and cultural environments in which projects are often located.bookPublished
Proceedings of Adaptation, Demonstration and Piloting of Irrigated Wheat Project: August 2021 - June 2025
No full textThis study assessed the adoption and impact of irrigated wheat technologies introduced through the Adaptation, Demonstration, and Piloting of Wheat Technologies for Irrigated Lowlands of Ethiopia (ADAPT-Wheat) project. The analysis is based on baseline (2022) and endline (2024) survey data collected from three districts in the Arsi Zone—Sire, Merti, and Jeju. Key findings: » Adoption patterns: Beneficiaries exhibited a higher rate of adoption of improved wheat varieties compared to non-beneficiaries. While Kingbird remained the dominant variety, the endline data revealed a shift toward newer varieties such as Daka and Boru, particularly among beneficiaries. This suggests a gradual diversification of wheat varieties influenced by project interventions, farmer preferences, and seed availability. » Input use and productivity: Wheat yields improved over time, with beneficiaries generally outperforming non-beneficiaries. Beneficiaries also reported slightly higher usage of fertilizers and herbicides, pointing to the impact of technical support and input access. These results underscore the importance of targeted interventions in seed distribution, fertilizer management, and extension services for enhancing productivity in irrigated wheat farming. » Spillover effects: Evidence of spillover effects was observed, as non-beneficiaries also adopted improved wheat technologies—particularly improved seed varieties. Adoption rates increased further when irrigation agronomy training was combined with other inputs. However, mechanization continued to exhibit lower adoption levels, likely due to access barriers such as cost and availability. »» Impact evaluation: The difference-in-differences (DID) analysis of yield outcomes showed positive but inconclusive results. While beneficiaries demonstrated a higher level of yield improvement, the short timeframe between baseline and endline likely limited the full capture of long-term impacts. Nonetheless, the observed gains provide an encouraging indication of progress, with the expectation that more conclusive impacts would emerge over a longer implementation and observation period. The findings confirm that well-targeted agricultural interventions—particularly those combining improved inputs with technical training—can drive adoption and improve productivity in smallholder irrigated wheat systems. While some adoption differences remain between direct and indirect beneficiaries, the positive trends in input use, varietal diversification, and yield improvement are promising. Strengthening seed systems, improving mechanization access, and extending the duration of support will be key to achieving sustained impact and scaling success across similar agroecological zones.145 page
A Lesson of Success in Microfinance in Africa: the Experience of ACSI in Ethiopia
No full textParallel session 7. MicrofinancePresented at GLOBELICS 2009, 7th International Conference, 6-8 October, Dakar, Senegal.ACSI (Amhara Credit and Savings Institution) is one of the largest MFIs that are found in the world. ACSI won a number of global microfinance awards and is emerging as the most efficient and sustainable MFI in Africa. This paper critically assesses the specific qualities of ACSI that enabled it to ration micro-loans to about a million of People in Amhara region, one of the most inaccessible and harsh environmental zones of Ethiopia, one of the poorest country in sub-Saharan Africa. It critically examines how the involvement of state and community members influences microfinance outcomes. The paper draws on an ethnographic research undertaken on ACSI’s credit clients in rural agricultural and urban communities of Semen Showa Zone1, Amhara region, Ethiopia
Yield Response of Faba Bean to Lime, NPSB, and Rhizobium Inoculation in Kiremu District, Western Ethiopia
No full textFaba bean (Vicia faba L.) is one of the most important winter legume crops for human consumption as a green or dried, fresh, or canned. Low soil fertility and acidity are the major constraints of faba bean production in Ethiopia. A field experiment was conducted in the Kiremu district of West Oromia, Ethiopia, under rain-fed conditions on a farmer's field to evaluate the effect of different rates of lime and NPSB-blended fertilizer application with and without inoculation on yield components and yield of faba bean. The three factors, lime rates (0, 2, and 4 t ha−1), mineral fertilizer rates (0, 60, 120, and 180 kg·ha−1 NPSB), and rhizobium inoculation (with and without), were combined in 3 x 4 x 2 factorial arrangement of RCBD in three replications. The data were collected on yield and yield components and subjected to the analysis of variance (ANOVA). The ANOVA results revealed that the number of pods per plant, number of seeds per pod, hundred seeds weight, harvest index, aboveground biomass, and grain yield were significantly affected by the treatment. Therefore, the highest faba bean yield was obtained from the application of 2 t limes ha−1, 120 NPSB ha−1, and 500 g·ha−1 rhizobium inoculation, and thus, the integrated application of the aforementioned rates of lime, NPSB, and rhizobium inoculation could be recommended for maximizing the productivity profitability of faba bean production in the study area and similar agro-ecologies
Temperature, planting depth, and genotype effects on seedling characteristics and seeding rate effects on agronomic and quality performance of winter wheat (Triticum aestivum L.)
No full textTemperature levels, planting depths, and cultivars, affected seedling traits as expected. An increase in temperature from 12.8/12.8 to 20/20°C increased coleoptile length by 21 min implying that higher temperatures facilitated coleoptile elongation. An increase in planting depth from 2.5 to 7.5 an increased coleoptile length, shoot length, and fresh weight and decreased root length and germination % of the seedlings across cultivars. Cultivars had a wide range of responses in their mean performance for the seedling traits. Scout 66, Nekota, and Niobrara were considered to have good seedling vigor while Alliance, Arapahoe and Centura, were considered to have poor seedling vigor. Strong and significant positive correlation between coleoptile length and germination %, shoot length and fresh weight, and fresh weight and dry weight were observed. In summary, planting depths and cultivars had a greater impact on seedling traits than did our temperature levels. Planting depth and cultivars are controllable management factors; hence the optimum depth must be practiced for the appropriate cultivar. Coleoptile length is the trait that was most significantly affected by temperature regimes, planting depths and cultivars. It is the best predictor of seedling vigor and hence can be used as a selection criterion in the development of cultivars with vigorous seedlings. While numerous experiments have studied how seeding rates affect agronomic performance of wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) cultivars, there are no or very few experiments which have studied how seeding rates affect end use quality particularly of modern wheat cultivars. Twenty winter wheat cultivars, were evaluated to assess the effect of cultivar and seeding rate on agronomic and quality performance of wheat. Significant differences among environments, seeding rates, cultivars and some of their interactions were identified. Lower seeding rates decreased stand density, grain yield and thousand-kernel weight and caused later flowering. Lower seeding rates also lowered flour yield and mixing time and raised flour protein content and mixing tolerance. Cultivars responded more to environmental conditions than to seeding rates. Agronomic and end use quality traits are greatly influenced by the prevailing environmental conditions, but not as much by seeding rates. Seeding rate is a predictable environmental factor which affects some agronomic and end use quality traits of wheat, hence should be carefully studied to obtain higher grain yields with relatively better end use quality
CIMMYT and Ethiopia: Helping farmers achieve higher yields and incomes
No full textIn 2017, Ethiopia produced over 8 million tons of maize. In the same year, the country produced over 4 million tons of wheat, making it the largest wheat producer in subSaharan Africa. Demand for wheat still outstrips supply, and the country remains a net importer of the crop. Many farmers in Ethiopia – especially single women – live on the edge offood insecurity and poverty. Withincreased urbanization, demand forwheat and maize is increasing. In addition to being adversely affected by climate change, Ethiopian farmers often plant the same wheat varieties year after year, which makes their crops more susceptible to disease. In the face on these challenges, Ethiopia is aiming for self-sufficiency in wheat production by 2022.2 page
Exploring Lived Experience of Students with Physical Disability in Primary Schools at Ambo Town: Educational challenges and opportunities
No full textThis study aimed to explore the lived experiences of students with physical impairments (SWPI) in grades 5-8 at primary schools in Ambo Town, Ethiopia. A phenomenological approach involved in-depth interviews with seven purposively selected students. The qualitative analysis yielded four overarching themes: support services, challenges, strategies for overcoming challenges, and coping mechanisms. Participants reported receiving support from home and school; however, it was often not systematic or institutionalized. Among the challenges faced by SWPI were an unfavorable physical setting, feelings of loneliness, and insufficient support for educational activities requiring movement. To cope with these challenges, students employed various strategies, with resilience, adaptation to the system, and assertiveness being the most frequently mentioned. The findings underscore the necessity for comprehensive implementation of inclusive educational practices in and out of school to empower SWPI. To promote equal educational opportunities for all students in Ambo Town, it is essential to ensure the effective execution of inclusive policies and to provide capacity-building for SWPI, their families, and schools
Investigating the Effects of Arjo-Dhidhessa Sugar Factory on Land Use and Land Cover Dynamics: A Case of Arjo-Dhidhessa Sugar Estate, East Wallaga, Oromia, Western, Ethiopia
No full textSugarcane plantations in sugar factories and farms have the potential to significantly influence local ecosystems and communities, leading to deforestation, degradation of soil quality, and reduced availability of water resources. This study aimed to determine the effect of the Arjo-Dhidhessa sugar factory on land use and land cover change in the east Wallaga zone of the Oromia regional state. This study employed geospatial technology to investigate spatial and temporal changes in land use and land cover in the study area. Satellite images from 1983, 1996, 2009, and 2022 were used to evaluate changes in land use and land cover in the area. The study area underwent significant transformations in land use and land cover, including a 0.6% decrease in the total forested area, a 25.9% reduction in shrubland, and a 22.3% decrease in grassland coverage. Although agricultural land showed a significant increase of 21.34%, irrigated land increased by 14.8%, and built-up areas expanded by 12.2%. The average annual growth rates for agricultural land, irrigated land, and built-up areas were 217.4, 289.5, and 165.4 ha/year, respectively. The emergence of sugar factories and sugarcane farming was initiated at the expense of forestland, grassland, and shrubland. These changes have raised concerns about the potential ecological consequences and long-term sustainability of the environment. The observed trends underscore the urgent need to address the environmental challenges faced by Arjo-Dhidhessa Sugar Factory, which requires a collective and coordinated response from all relevant stakeholders to mitigate the negative impacts of decreasing natural habitats. These findings emphasize the importance of implementing sustainable land management practices that balance developmental initiatives with environmental conservation
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