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GROWTH AND BULB YIELD RESPONSE OF ONION (Allium cepa L.) VARIETIES TO VARYING LEVELS OF NITROGEN AND VERMICOMPOST IN BIISHAAN GURACHAA, OROMIA, ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2025) BADEGE AYELE
Onion is a vital horticultural crop in Ethiopia, supporting both rural livelihoods and urban food systems. However, its productivity remains low due to poor nutrient management, declining soil fertility, and continued reliance on unimproved varieties. Excessive nitrogen use often results in delayed maturity and reduced bulb quality, while organic inputs like vermicompost remain underutilized. This study was conducted to evaluate the combined effects of nitrogen and vermicompost on the growth, yield, quality, and economic performance of improved onion varieties under highland conditions. A field experiment was carried out during the off-season at Shallo Farm, using a randomized complete block design (RCBD) with three replications. Treatments were arranged in a 3 × 4 × 3 factorial combinations comprising three onion varieties (Rio Bravo f1, Nafis, and SV Runagrana f1), four nitrogen rates (0, 75, 150, and 225 kg N ha⁻¹), and three vermicompost levels (0, 5, and 7 t ha⁻¹), giving 36 treatment combinations. Data were collected on phenology, growth, yield, and bulb quality parameters, and subjected to both agronomic and economic analyses. The three-way interaction among variety, nitrogen, and vermicompost significantly (P < 0.01) influenced most growth, yield, and quality traits. SV Runagrana f1 exhibited the best performance, producing the highest total bulb yield (57.48 t ha⁻¹) and marketable yield (51.13 t ha⁻¹) at 225 kg N ha⁻¹ combined with 7 t ha⁻¹ vermicompost. Excessive fertilization (>225 kg N + 7 t VC ha⁻¹) increased unmarketable yield, delayed maturity, and lowered bulb quality. Economic analysis further revealed that SV Runagrana f1 at 225 kg N + 7 t VC ha⁻¹ provided the highest net field benefit (4,471,000 Birr ha⁻¹), benefit–cost ratio (35.1%), and marginal rate of return (15,000 %), indicating strong profitability despite higher input costs. In contrast, moderate fertilization (75 kg N + 5 t VC ha⁻¹) offered a favorable trade-off between yield stability, quality, and input efficiency, making it a more sustainable option for smallholder farmers. Therefore, the study demonstrated that onion yield, quality, and economic returns are highly dependent on the interaction between genotype and nutrient management.Further studies should investigate long-term soil fertility effects and validate the economic sustainability of these practices across diverse agro- ecological zones.
INVESTOR-STATE ARBITRATION UNDER ETHIOPIAN BILATERAL INVESTMENT TREATIES
(2018-06) GIDEY BELAY ASSEFA
Investor-state arbitration is quasi-judicial means of settling investment disputes which was considered as neutral, flexible, cost effective and specialized form of dispute settlement. Currently, however, the overall system of investor-state arbitration is criticized for it gives protection to investors while undermining host state’s interests. Almost all Ethiopian BITs contain investor- state arbitration. It is not known, however, if investor-state arbitration under these BITs balances the interests of investors and host states. Hence, the objective of this study is to examine whether investor-state arbitration provisions of Ethiopian BITs balance the interests of the country and investors. In doing so, text analysis of 28 Ethiopian BITs is made. A semi-structured interview with purposively selected individuals, who are academicians, practitioners and government officials, is also employed. Literatures and reports are also used. Consequently, it has been found that most investor-state arbitration provisions are framed broadly and leave many procedural issues to external rules of arbitration thereby give unfettered discretion to tribunals. They are inconsistent and open to abuse of MFN. Host states are not guaranteed to submit claims or counter claims and the types of relief that the tribunal may render is not addressed within the BITs. These findings take us to the conclusion that investor-state arbitration under Ethiopian BITs guarantee the rights of investor, and not the host state. These provisions can have a devastating effect on the host country once a case arises. An analysis on the compatibility of the recent global developments of rectifying the problems have been conducted that revealed that abandoning investor-state arbitration is not a good choice for Ethiopia. The study finally recommended that investor-state arbitration must continue to exist in the Ethiopian BITs but with major reform.
CERTIFICATION OVER CERTIFICATION AS URBAN LAND TENURE CHALLENGE: THE CASE OF HADIYYA ZONE
(2018-05) GETISO DETAMO MEKEBO
Given the lack of a formal urban registration system in Ethiopia, registration and certification in urban centers are normally linked to the provision of land for new holdings or transfer of use rights for existing landholdings. It also relates to regularization process of informal settlements and current pilot works on urban land re-registration towards securing urban land rights. The purpose of registration and certification in urban land administration is aimed at securing urban lands for the landholders because secured tenure is a precondition to reap all the benefits accrued from urban land rights. In relation to registration of urban lands, this research considers COC as one of the major challenge of good urban land governance. COC is a scenario in which the same urban plots are entitled and certified for more than one person. In answering the research questions, the thesis involved a combination of doctrinal legal research and largely supported by qualitative data. To this end, the findings of this study uncovered hosts of problems such as; legal double or multiple allocations through earlier permit systems, issuance of forged receipts or titles and concluding illegal oral contracts. Further, regularization process of illegal settlements and existence of informal legal settlements without due documentation and serious corruption in urban land sector are also among the hosts. As a result, urban landholdings are insecure which has compromised all synergy of lease/use rights of the holders. Thus, some are beneficiaries and some others like vulnerable persons are victims. In a nutshell, this study identified that the urban land- to-landholders relationship is in a vicious circle and hence, COC is one of the manifestations of weak urban land administration.It recommends the enhancement of good governance in urban land administration and unreserved political commitment thereof towards ensuring secure urban land lease/use rights.
EXAMINING THE LAWS REGULATING OWNERSHIP STRUCTURE AND FORECLOSURE IN MICRO FINANCE INSTITUTIONS IN ETHIOPIA
(2020-06) ABRIHAM PETROS BASSA
Many people in Ethiopia have been given access to formal financial services through microfinance programs. However, currently millions of potential clients in the region remain unserved and the demand for financial services far exceeds the currently available supply. Microfinance institutions mainly relied on government, NGOs and associations for their finances. Hence the sectors are characterized by capital constraint. Because of this their service is limited to specific locations of the region. There is weak private investors’ participation in the sectors due to absence of dividend of profit and free transfer of shares. More over the sector is characterized by its weak repayment rate of loan because of absence of specific /separate/ foreclosure law which is suitable for their specific future. So the paper found that to establish sustainable and well outreached MFIs, there should be wide shareholders bases or solid ownership base and specific and adequate foreclosure laws that have its own procedural remedies. Hence absence of separate foreclosure law and weak ownership base are identified as the major obstacles for the sustainability of the MFIs. Microfinance institutions should give more emphasis to financial sustainability and making the environment suitable for private investors in order to reduce their subsidy dependence, ensure survival to achieve their social objective and growth in the future. The methodology employed for this study was qualitative and the data were collected from both primary and secondary sources by selecting the institutions purposively. Accordingly, the study recommends the concerning organ to refine the provision that regulate ownership structure and to enact comprehensive specific foreclosure law that have its own procedural remedies for execution.
SOIL CHARACTERIZATION AND POTASSIUM NUTRITION FOR WHEAT (Triticum aestivumL.) PRODUCTION ALONG THE TOPOSEQUENCE OF QENBERENAWETI SUB-WATERSHED, CENTRAL HIGHLANDS OF ETHIOPIA
(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2026) HAYMANOT AWGCHEW AJERSA
Topography critically affects soil characteristics through its influence on pedogenesis, nutrient distribution, and crop productivity. Ethiopian agricultural production is constrained by soil degradation (erosion and fertility depletion) as well as by poor fertilization practices (suboptimal and unbalanced) and management (non-integrated and non-sustainable). Despite the nationwide decline in soil potassium (K) reserves (32 kg ha⁻¹ yr⁻¹), its use remains neglected due to a historical assumption of soil sufficiency that led to K deficiency, reducing wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) yield far below 5 tons ha⁻¹ in the highlands. This study addresses critical gaps in soil fertility management and K dynamics inEthiopia's highland agriculture, focusing on the Qenberenaweti sub-watershed in the North Shewa Zone of the Amhara Region. The study area exemplifies these challenges: it lacks detailed soil characterization at local topographic scales, underutilizes cattle dung ash (a viable K-rich amendment), and relies on blanket K recommendations (50 kg K ha⁻¹) without considering soil and crop-specific factors. Cattle manure ash, though abundant as a byproduct of fuel use, is discarded by ignoring its potential to improve CEC, reclaim acidity, and supply nutrients (K, Ca, Mg). Therefore, this study was initiated with principal aims to characterize, classify, and map soils along the toposequence; to assess K forms (labile vs. non-labile), adsorption-desorption kinetics, and equilibrium dynamics; to determine optimum externaland internal K requirements of wheat across soil types; as well as to evaluate K-containing organic (cattle manure ash, CMA) and inorganic (muriate of potash, MOP) amendments on soil chemical properties and productivity of wheat. The soil sampling followed a topographic approach throughout 317 ha of the watershed (2,808–2,960 m.a.s.l). The research methodology included: the World Reference Base (WRB) system of soil characterization and classification, K fractionation into its diverse forms; mathematical models in the K adsorption-desorption experiment; pot trial to establish critical K concentration for optimum internal and external requirements of wheat; and incubation trials comparing CMA and MOP (0–100% substitution) on soil properties and wheat responses. The findings revealed that topographic positions and slope features have directly shaped the extent of soil variability along the toposequence by determining water movement (drainage and percolation). All the K forms showed significant correlations (p < 0.01) among themselves and with soil pH, clay content, and CEC, influencing their availability. The Freundlich isotherm model (qe = aCe b/a ) performed well for the K-adsorption behavior of the entire soils that are characterized by non-linear increases in the K equilibrium concentration (Ce) and adsorbed amount (qe) due to the rising initial K (Ci) levels. The Power function model best fitted the desorption kinetics, which occurred in three distinct release phases over time: rapid (within 12 hours), gradual decline (72-168 hours), and stabilization (after 288 hours). The addition of K nutrient significantly (P < 0.001) improved the growth and yield of wheat, with the quadratic plateau and linear regression models estimating the 2 optimum external and internal K requirements as 24.48-30.75 mg K L -1 and 1.19-1.30%, respectively. The combined application of CMA:MOP at 37.5 to 62.5% ratios achieved the maximum wheat yield, with better N, P, and K harvest indices, owing to their balanced effects on overall soil properties, including pH, OC, exchangeable bases, and CEC. In conclusion, this work articulated the need for site-specific agricultural planning that addresses the localized heterogeneity of soils along the toposequence to sustainably enhance their fertility and productivity. For instance, it is necessary to prioritize CMA in acidic and low-OC soils and KCl blended ratios in high-buffer soils. However, further research on formulating precise fertilization of other essential elements, alongside vital agronomic and soil management practices (develop split fertilization schedules, water requirements, and crop rotation strategies), is needed to maximize profitable wheatproduction at the experimental site.