College of Agriculture
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The College of Agriculture is committed to advancing agricultural education, research, and community service.
It serves as a center for knowledge creation and dissemination in crop science, animal production,
natural resource management, and sustainable agriculture.
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Item ASSESSMENT OF MANAGEMENT PRACTICES, PRODUCTION PERFORMANCES, AND SOME EGG QUALITY TRAITS OF CHICKENS REARED IN LOKA ABAYA DISTRICT, SIDAMA ZONE, SOUTHERN, ETHIOPIA(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2019) HAILU DUKAKOThis study was carried out in Loka Abaya District, Sidama Zone of Southern Ethiopia. So far there are limited studies conducted in Loka Abaya targeting comprehensive description of the production performance, associated constraints, management practice, and egg quality traits of backyard chicken in rural communities. The objectives of the study were to assess chicken husbandry practices, production, and reproduction potential and evaluate some egg quality parameters in the study. The agro ecology was arranged systematically, Kebeles were selected purposively, and random sampling was used to select 120 chicken rearing households from two agro ecologies. Household survey, key informant interview, and focus group discussions were employed to draw out appropriate data using pre-tested semi-structured questionnaire, interview schedule, and discussion guide. Concerning egg quality determination, households who have native chicken and cross chicken ecotypes were identified from each agro ecology and, 200 eggs were collected for quality parameters generally. Chi- square test and ANOVA were employed to analyze the statistical difference between two agro ecologies. Accordingly, the result revealed that the mean flock structure of chicks, cockerels, pullet, hens, and cocks, were 5.4 (0.01TLU), 0.9 (0.01TLU), 1.5(0.01TLU), 4.5(0.01TLU) and 0.8 (0.01TLU) heads per household, respectively and mean flock size of chicken 9.4(0.01). The current finding also indicated that the major feed resources were scavenging and supplementary feed (47.5%) and types of supplementary feed was maize and wheat (52.5%). Regarding housing, watering, and chicken constraints; 50.8% of respondents house their chicken with family, 89.2% of respondent provide water freely and predator were major problem followed by disease. Based on survey result the primary purpose of chicken production in the study area was income generation. The current finding also showed that majority of farmers in the study area, purchased veterinary drugs@Oxytetracycline 20% to treat their chicken (47.5%) and also used ethno veterinary medicines (39.2%) and used “Ash “during hatching or egg incubation time to protect eggs from contamination of human hands (90%). The result also indicated that the major determinant factors that affectinfluencing the chicken husbandry practices in the study area include presence of predators, disease, feed shortage, lack of adequate veterinary services and lack of knowledge about modern chicken husbandry practices were identified as the major determinant factors that influence poultry production in the study area. Regarding egg quality parameters; there were difference (p<0.05) between egg weight, egg width, albumen height, albumen weight, yolk color, specific egg gravity, and Haugh unit. An understanding of factors influencing the decision of the respondents were associated with improvement in poultry husbandry critical when formulating technologies regarding with husbandry practices that support chicken production.Item SMALLHOLDER FARMERS PERCEPTION OF CLIMATE CHANGE AND FACTORS AFFECTING CHOICES OF THEIR ADAPTATION PRACTICES: THE CASE OF LOKA ABAYA WOREDA, SIDAMA REGION, ETHIOPIA(Hawassa University College of Agriculture, 2021) NIGATU TUNSISA TUMICHAClimate change has currently been recognized across disciplines and groups of people as a serious challenge facing societies today. This study was motivated by the fact that smallholder farming as part of the broader agricultural sector locally affected by climate change while contributing to food security, economic growth and employment provision particularly in study area. This study sought to analyze Smallholder Farmers Perception of Climate Change and Factors Affecting Choices of Their Adaptation Practices: The case of Loka Abaya Woreda, Sidama Region. It further aimed to identify small holder farmers’ perception on climate change, adaptation practices to CC at farm level and to analyze factors affecting adoption of different adaptation strategies by small holder farmers. The study used cross sectional survey design to accomplish the study. A multi-stage sampling procedure was used to select 148 sample respondents. Both primary and secondary data sources were used to while collecting study data. To collect the required data household survey, FGDs, and KIIs were used from primary data sources. Furthermore the study collected secondary data sources from published and unpublished materials. Descriptive statistics and econometric model was used to analyze the objectives of the study. The finding of study indicated that the state of climate of the area has been changing when a comparison is made with over 30 years based on perceptions of smallholder farmers, local elders, local leaders and experts. Most of the interviewed small holder farmers had experienced the change in climate; fully aware that temperature is getting warmer, rainfall has decreased, occurrence of drought, rainfall starting latter, unpredictable rainfall, and risk of crop and livestock diseases have increased due to climate change. This had impacted crop production through crop failure and reduced yield. Furthermore, other major losses incurred due to climate change could be ordered sequentially as livestock productivity decreased, crop area reduced, income reduced, high food costs, and river run off decreased, crop/ animal disease outbreaks, plant species decreased/loss , dependency on relief increased (food insecurity) as the other impacts of climate change, respectively. The main farming’s adaptation strategies to CC used by smallholder farmers in Loka abaya woreda were found to be: crop diversification, diversifying sources of livelihood, planting/keeping drought tolerant crops/livestock, use of agro-forestry and reforestation/ afforestation as the main climate change adaptation strategy in the study area. Other important climate change adaptation strategies used by the farmers in the study areas include: Soil and water conservation techniques, use of irrigation system/water storage, changing planting dates, incomes from remittances, and out migration from climate risk areas. The findings of multinomial logistic regression model (MNL) explained that out of eleven selected variables, six of them (age, family size, farm size, education, contact with extension personnel, access to credit service ,attaining information on climate change and distance from market) were statistically significant factors that affect small holder farmers use of adaptation strategies to climate change in study area. The study, therefore, recommends, local governments, research institutions and farmers needed to be mainstreamed and institutional networks strengthened in order for effective and stable small holder farmers based adaptation practice to inevitable climate change.