56 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
Urban- Rural Marketing Linkage Practices and Challenges Evidences from Ambo Town West Shoa Zone, Orimia Regional State, Ethiopia
Get PDFThe objective of study was to assess the practices and challenges of rural-urban marketing linkages in Ambo Town. The study may be used to show the gaps between urban and rural on the marketing of agricultural products. The study was used descriptive research design. The populations of the study were some selected retailers and farmers those participate on the marketing of agricultural products. For sample size determination Yemane Taro formula was used and accordingly 187 sample size was employed. To identify this sample random sampling was used to select the research subjects from the population. As the source of information primary data was employed using structured questionnaire. For data analysis descriptive statistics was employed. Based on the data collected the findings of the study show that the production linkages were very weak which was reflected mainly in case of poor connection in the between urban and rural. However, a strong consumption linkage was observed as farmers tend to purchase goods and services from the Town. The insufficient crop production had made the existing marketing linkage to be expressed only in the form of exchange of products. Financial linkage was further strengthened even through all are not connected with rural farmers. Finally, the research recommended that urban and rural oriented linkage must be practiced which need further strengthen for the existing financial linkages and production linkage as it provides opportunity for existing traders in the Town. Key terms: Urban- Rural Linkage, Marketing, opportunities, challenges DOI: 10.7176/CER/12-8-02 Publication date:August 31st 202
Adaptation Study of Released Finger Millet (Eleusine Coracana L.) Varieties in Western Oromia, Ethiopia
Get PDFThe experiment was conducted on eight improved finger millet varieties against local check at Chanka research sub site and on station at Haro Sabu Agricultural Research Center (HSARC) for two consecutive (2017-2018) years to identify and recommend high yielding, insect pest tolerant, and stable varieties. The seeds were planted in Randomized Completed Block Design (RCBD) with three replications in the net plot size of 3m2 using four harvestable rows at the spacing of 30cm. Agronomic traits Viz. Days to heading (DH), Days to maturity (DM), Lodging percentage (LDG), Grain yield (GY), Plant height (PH), Finger length (FL), Productive tillers (PTR), Finger per main ear (FPME) Finger weight per plant (FWPP) and Head blast (HB) were collected and analyzed. Analysis of variance revealed significant difference among varieties for most observed traits. The combine ANOVA and the AMMI analysis for grain yield across environments revealed significantly affected by environments, that hold 40.84% of the total variation.The genotype and genotype by environmental interation were significant and accounted for 32.67% and 23.44% respectively. Pricipal component 1 and 2 accounted for 17.98 % and 5.09 % of the GEI respectively with a total of 23.07 % variation.In general, Adis-01 and Boneya varieties were identified as the best varieties for yielding ability, stability, tolerant to diseases and recommended in the area and with similar agro-ecologies. Keywords: Adaptability, finger millet (Eleusine coracana L.) stability varieties DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/9-11-09 Publication date:June 30th 201
Adaptation Study of Released Bread Wheat (Triticum aestivum L) Varieties in the Western Oromia, Ethiopia
Get PDFBread wheat is the most important cereal occupying a prominent position among major food crops in the world in terms of acreage and production and is an important cereal crop which is receives the most attention of specialists in plant breeding and production in the world wide. The interaction between genotypes/varieties and environment is an important for effective selection of the variety/ies. This experiment was conducted on thirteen bread wheat varieties against local check at Haro Sabu Agricultural Research Center (HSARC) sub site across environments in 2017-2018 cropping seasons to identify and recommend high yielding, insect pest tolerant, and stable varieties. The seeds were planted in Randomized Completed Block Design (RCBD) with three replications. Six agronomic traits and three economically important disease reaction data were evaluated. Analysis of variance revealed significant difference among varieties for most traits were recorded. The combine ANOVA and the additive main effects and multiplicative interactions (AMMI) analysis for grain yield across environments exhibited significantly affected by environments, explained 61.07% of the total variation.The genotype and genotype environmental interation were significant and accounted for 26.9 % and 6.3 % respectively. Pricipal component (PCA1) and 2 accounted for 4.3 % and 1.9 % of the GEI respectively with a total of 6.2 % variation.Therefore, Ogolcho and Liban varieties were identified as the best varieties for yielding ability, stability, tolerant to diseases and recommended in the area and with similar agro-ecologies. Keywords: AMMI, wheat evaluation, GGEI, Performance, stability DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/9-11-08 Publication date:June 30th 201
Social capital as collateral: Banking on the poor
No full textGroup-based micro finance is a field in which the place of social capital in development has been given a central focus. The formation of micro group is based on tapping into the information that group members have about each other, thus relying on social capital. Group-based micro finance has also been explained as a means of creating social capital. This article, drawing on Pierre Bourdieu's conception of social capital, in contrast to the widely accepted notion of it, critically examines the link between social capital and group-based micro finance. It argues that group-based MF is not favored by the marginalized poor, and it serves as a mechanism in the production and reproduction of social conflict and inequality. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]Peer reviewedfinal article publishe
The politics of identity and methodology in African development ethnography
No full textSince the reflexive turn in sociology and social anthropology, ‘identity negotiation’ and the ‘insider/outsider’ dilemma have been central topics of ethnographic literature. Much of the writings have exposed how the sociocultural biography and the identity of Western researchers interact, contradict and collaborate with the constructed ‘self’ of the participants of research. However, African development researchers have largely focused on describing the substantive component, with only scant analysis of the research process. In this article, illustration of the author’s experiences in the process of undertaking fieldwork on Amhara Credit and Savings Institution, a microfinance institution located in Ethiopia, and its clients, demonstrates that African development ethnographers’ interaction with participants of research is affected by their methodological preference and by their political and cultural identity. The article exemplifies that African development ethnographers are partially inhibited in research process and interpretation by boundaries imposed by their own research orientation and by their political and cultural identity. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]Peer reviewedfinal article publishedAfricaoutsidernegotiationmethodological orientationinsideridentityethnographydevelopmen
Microfinance and women's empowerment: an ethnographic inquiry
No full textWithin the last two decades microfinance has been widely adopted as one of the best development strategies to reduce poverty and empower women in many developing countries. Drawing on ethnographic research undertaken in Ethiopia, this article elucidates the complexities of microfinance processes, and argues that current microfinance practice does not facilitate the participation of women in decision-making over the use and management of loans as well as the income they generate from running small enterprises. The article illustrates that women are engaged in running small-scale economic activities at home that produce low returns, and they have limited access to lucrative markets. It also demonstrates that due to a discriminatory household division of labour, women are overworked in their households and in their enterprises. Through engaging in a mode of representation (ethnography) that allows specific critical voices to be heard, the article contributes toward tempering the current enthusiasm for the widely expanding microfinance industry. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]Peer reviewedfinal article publishedLabour and livelihoods – MicrofinanceSub-Saharan AfricaGender and diversit
“The pluses of pulses”: haricot beans and women’s empowerment in Ethiopia
No full textThis practical note demonstrates the role that haricot beans play in assisting women to become food and nutrition secure, to generate income, and to have sustainable livelihoods that are resilient to shocks. Based on qualitative research among female and male beneficiaries of a pulse innovation project implemented in southern Ethiopia, the note provides a summary of the critical voices of farmers, and the role that haricot beans play in empowering women. It also outlines some of the challenges that the project faced in achieving its empowerment objectives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]Peer reviewedfinal article publishedSub-Saharan AfricaLabour and livelihoods – Poverty reductionEnvironment (built and natural) – Food securit
Adaptability Study of Yield and Yield Related Trait Performance of Improved Food Barley (Hordeum Vulgare L.) Varieties in North Shewa Zone Oromia, Ethiopia
Get PDFBarley is one of the founders, old world agriculture and the first domesticated cereal crop. It is a staple food, adapted to and produced over a wider range of environment . This trial was conducted on sixteen improved food barley varieties with one local check at Fitche Agricultural Research Center for two consecutive years. The objective was to identify adaptable, stable and high yielding varieties. The seed was sown in Randomized Complete Block Design with three replications. Nine agronomic traits data were evaluated. Analysis of variance detected significant difference among varieties for most observed traits both separated and combined analysis. Observation attained significant differences over years and locations for almost all traits. The combine ANOVA and the AMMI analysis for grain yield across environments revealed significantly affected by environments, hold 68.4% of the total variation. Genotype and genotype by environmental interaction were significant and accounted 12.1 % and 17.8 % respectively. Principal component 1 and 2 accounted 9.6% and 4.3 % of the GEI respectively with a total of 13.9 % variation. The interaction effect of variety by year and variety by location imposed significant effect on most traits. Among evaluated varieties; HB1307 and HB1966 had significantly higher mean value of grain yield. Moreover, the yield advantage of 32.9% and 38.8% were estimated for HB1307 and HB1966 respectively over the local check. Therefore, these varieties were suggested for further demonstration and popularization in the areas with similar agro-ecology
Bank Customers Loyalty:A Case Study of Birhan International Bank (BIB), Ambo Branch, West Shoa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia
Get PDFDuring the past decade, the financial service industry has undergone drastic change and intense competition in Ethiopia. In increasingly competitive markets, being able to build customer loyalty is seen as the key factor in winning market share and developing a sustainable competitive advantage. It should be imperative to apply the modern innovative marketing strategy to the banking industry in Ethiopia that focuses on keeping and improving current customers rather than acquiring new customers. The objective of this study was to identify factors that influence customer loyalty in banking industry of Ethiopia. In order to achieve the aim of this study the researcher applied both descriptive and explanatory research design. The researcher selected BIB based on special cases that was most of customers complain the bank and 332 questionnaires were distributed to respondents but only 274 retuned and used for analyze data. The data gathered from respondent analysis was done using the SPSS software program. The main finding of study shows that commitment, customer satisfaction and trust have positive and a significant influence in determining customer loyalty. Therefore, managements in banking industry specifically in BIB should focus on the determinants of customer loyalty. Keywords: Customer loyalty, Perceived quality, Customer Satisfaction, Switching cost, Trust &Commitment. DOI: 10.7176/EJBM/12-35-04 Publication date: December 31st 2020
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