Ethiopian Journal of Agricultural Sciences

Growth Performance of African Catfish (Clarias gariepinus Burchell 1822) Reared in Fertilized Ponds

Adamneh Dagne, Getacher Beyene, Alemayehu Wubie, Dawit Adisu — Fri, 16 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Organic manures can be applied to fish ponds receiving no/limited feed supplements to augment plankton growth. The present study evaluated the growth performance and survival rate of African catfish (Clarias gariepinus) reared in ponds fertilized with organic manures: cow dung (CD) at 20 kg/100 m², chicken manure (CM) at 10 kg /100 m² every 15 days and with formulated feed as a control (FF) at 3 to5% of the fish live body weight. Six concrete walled earthen floor ponds (50 m²) were stocked at 2 fish/ m² each with mean initial weight ranging from 54 ± 1.1 g to 56.4 + 1.1 g. The mean final weights of the fish were 125.3, 173.1 and 193.2 g in CD, CM and FF, respectively. The daily growth rates were 0.28, 0.47 and 0.56 g/day for fish reared with CD, CM and FF, respectively. Survival rates of fish reared with CD, CM and FF were 71.1, 81.1 and 92.6%, respectively. There was no significant difference (p>0.05) in fish growth reared with CM and supplemented with FF. CM favored diverse phytoplankton growth (69 taxa) dominated by green algae and diatoms followed by CD (46 taxa) and FF (36 taxa). Partial economic analysis of the production cost revealed that growing fish using FF costed 3.8 fold higher than growing fish in fertilized ponds. Such semi-intensive type of catfish farming in fertilized ponds is both technologically and economically feasible for backyard fish farming. Further research should focus on fish stocking densities and fertilization rates to optimize water quality and fish growth.

Mung Bean Value Chain Analysis in Ethiopia

Lemma Zemedu, Tamirat Fikadu — Fri, 16 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Mung bean is a cash crop that has high export potential. Ethiopia is among the top ten exporters of mung bean in the world. The crop has the potential to be produced on low moisture areas of the country (low lands), during short season rainfall periods (Belg) and under irrigated conditions. The study aimed to analyze benefit cost ratio of mung bean production, identify key role and relation among the mung bean value chain actors and their challenges, assess the trends in production and export of mung bean. Household survey data were collected from 100 households in north Shewa and north Wollo zones in eastern Amhara region. Key informant interview conducted with north Shewa, Oromia special and North Wollo zones in Amhara region. Additional KII were conducted at various organizations like: Ministry of trade and regional integration (MOTRI), Ministry of agriculture (MoA), district level agricultural offices working on the crop, research center, Exporters, Ethiopian commodity exchange (ECX) and federal cooperative agency. Secondary data was used from central statistical agency (CSA) and customs office for time series data analysis. In addition, previous research works on mung bean studies were reviewed adequately. The crop is highly nutritious and has high demand internationally. Mung bean is not part of the staple diet in Ethiopia, where more than 95% of the produce is being exported to several countries. The crop is highly attacked by weevils, where Purdue Improved Crop Storage (PICS) bag can be the best control method, though farmers could not access this bag with the size they want. Currently, in terms of area coverage and production, mung bean takes less than 0.5% and 0.2% of total grain crops in the country, respectively. However, its trends and potential growing areas are much higher than the current status and its benefit in terms of export earning is high. There is also limited supply of improved mung bean variety and its agronomic practices to farmers. Price for a ton of mung bean has increased between 2015 to 2018 from $1220 to $1720 USD. At farmers level the benefit cost ratio of mung bean is 4:1. Mung bean producer farmers are facing marketing problems related to price fluctuation, lack of storage facilities, and lack of access to markets. There was a parallel market of mung bean with price difference of 1000 birr higher per 100kg out of ECX compound in Addis Ababa. Hence, supply of improved mung bean seeds and agronomic practices, seed storage PICS bags, and support in market access both domestically and internationally is advisable.

Three Decades of Cotton Improvement Research and Progresses in Ethiopia

Merdasa Balcha, Donis Gurmessa, Samuel Damtew, Arkebe Gebregziabher — Fri, 16 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Scientific research on cotton in Ethiopia started in 1964, following various earlier attempts. The major objectives of the cotton research have been to develop and promote high-yielding cotton cultivars with superior fiber quality, along with improved production management packages. Thus, the purpose of this paper is to present the cotton breeding progresses made over the past three decades. Introduction of germplasm and hybridization of selected parental lines have been considered as the priority approaches to enhance cotton production in the country. The introduced germplasm have been utilized directly in variety trials, and as parental lines for hybridization. Subsequently, crossing and evaluation of segregating populations (F₂-F₆) are being done every year. The germplasm enhancement, subsequent variety evaluation and verification programs over the last six decades resulted in releases of 44 improved new cotton varieties in which 32 cotton varieties were released or registered in last three decades. In research station trials, the productivity of these varieties in irrigated areas has increased from 2.43 ton ha^-1(Ionia) to 5.4 ton ha^-1(Arkebe) in seed cotton yield. Another important trait namely, ginning outturn ranged from 29.0% (VBCH 1527) to 46.5% (Arkebe). Besides conventional research achievement, two single gene (Bt) varieties and one triple genes (Bt-Gt) of cotton variety (ACH3) registered during 2018 and 2025 cropping season, respectively, following standard institutional procedures and the biosafety law of the country under close supervision of the Ethiopian Environmental Protection Authority.

Commercial Feed Value Chain in Central Ethiopia

Aklilu Nigussie, Samuel Diro, Lemma Zemedu — Fri, 16 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

This study to explore the processed cattle feed value chain in the central part of the country, identifying main actors, mapping the chain, identifying leverage points, constraints and opportunities in cattle feed production and marketing, and identify determinants of farmers' choice of commercial feed market outlets. The study was conducted in Adama, Bisheftu, Welmera, Sululta, Sebeta Hawas, and Chacha districts, known for high milk production and supply to Addis Ababa and surrounding markets. The study employed a two-stage sampling technique to select dairy farmers, with 230 dairy farms interviewed, along with five feed manufacturers, sixteen traders, and other service providers and enabling bodies. The results showed significant differences in dairy production experience among producers, with average experience of 9.54, 13.81, and 16.18 years, respectively, and 16.18 years in the value chain. The average consumption rate of a single lactating crossbreed cow in the three categories with the feed type of brewery byproduct was 1.5 kg per cow per day, while 9.2kg of roughage was consumed per cow per day. The average dairy producer in the commercial sector feed maize and wheat bran of 2.4kg per cow per day. The study also found that the price of different feed types fluctuates in a year, with most feed types declining from November to March and inflating from April to October. Male-headed households positively related to the choice of wholesale feed market, suggesting that male-headed dairy farms opt to purchase feed from wholesalers.

Factors Affecting Milk Market Participation in Bahir Dar Milk Shed area, Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia

Mesfin Bahta, Lemma Zemedu, Berhanu Gebremedhin — Fri, 16 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

The study was conducted in Bahir Dar milk shed area of Amhara National Regional State (ANRS) in Ethiopia during 2017 to identify determinants for milk market participation and level of participation of dairy producers. Using the multistage sampling technique primary data was collected directly from 160 dairy cow producer households. Descriptive statistics and Heckman two-stage econometric model were used for analysis. In the first step of Heckman two-stage, Milk Market Participation (MMP) of dairy producers was estimated. Among the fourteen explanatory variables used, price of milk in kebele, access of the respondent to marketing information, total land holding size, membership to dairy cooperatives affected positively and significantly while sex of the respondent affected negatively and significantly the milk marketing participation decision of the dairy producers. Determinants of volume of milk marketed (VMM) was estimated in the Second-Stage of Heckman selection estimation procedure. Education level of the household head, experience in dairy farming, and livestock size excluding dairy cows affected positively and significantly while sex of the respondent, household size, total land holding size and access to credit affected negatively and significantly the VMM. Based on the findings of this study, marketing information should be available to dairy producers to increase marketing participation and commercialization in dairy marketing. Emphasis should also be given to increase cooperative membership and boost education level of the dairy producers to improve the milk market participation.

Managing Fisheries and Aquaculture for Sustainable Food and Nutrition Security in Ethiopia

Aschalew Lakew — Fri, 16 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

A ten-years fishery and aquaculture master plan (FAMP) spanning from 2024/25 to 2033/34 has been developed by the Ministry of Agriculture to enhance fish production, particularly by leveraging aquaculture potential in Ethiopia. This paper reviewed the current status of fisheries and aquaculture and showed intervention measures required for utilizing the resources in a sustainable manner. Ethiopia's annual capture fisheries production potential is estimated at 127,969 tons from its 16,100 km² of lentic water bodies and 8,065 km of flowing rivers. In recent years, capture fish production grew rapidly from 50,150 tons in 2013 to 101,000 tons in 2022, approaching the country’s production potential. On the other hand, the country possesses over 15,158 km² of land highly suitable for aquaculture development with an estimated fish production potential of 402,000 tons by 2034. Although aquaculture production grew from 41 tons in 2013 to 1,070 tons in 2022, mainly due to the expansion of pond aquaculture, it still accounts about 1% of the total fish production in the country. This paper describes major aquaculture practices, the history of fish stocking and fish species for culturing along with their current status and future prospects. The potential of aquaculture in Ethiopia remains untapped, which calls for timely interventions to enhance fish stock in existing water bodies and expand land-based aquaculture using different culture technologies following FAMP strategic approaches.

The Emerging Challenge of Seed Counterfeiting: Empirical Evidence from Ethiopia

Dawit Tsegaye Sisay, Abdo Woyema, Rebeka Gebretsadik, Fisseha Teshome — Fri, 16 May 2025 00:00:00 +0000

Seed counterfeiting is becoming a serious concern and a discussion agenda, as it threatens the growing seed industry in Ethiopia. However, information on the extent, drive practices, and prevention measures of counterfeit seed is scarce. Based on 48 semi structured interviews with representatives from regulatory agencies, seed companies, and government offices, we have identified the causes, sources, practices, consequences, and combating measures of seed counterfeiting in the country. Hybrid maize is the primary crop highly affected by counterfeiting, followed by vegetable seeds. We found that dressing grains with artificial color, adulteration, label imitation, package reuse, and mislabeling are the most common practices of seed counterfeiting. Local grain traders and agro-dealers are the top seed counterfeiters. Coordinated efforts are essential for awareness creation and timely information about the effect of counterfeit seeds to stakeholders, including farmers, seed companies, regulatory agencies, law-enforcing offices, and policymakers, to combat counterfeiting. Moreover, the study suggests improving the seed supply, enforcing measures, using digital technologies, strengthening regulatory systems, and effectively coordinating among relevant actors to address counterfeit seeds in Ethiopia.