No abstract

The global forest coverage has declined from year to year due to human and natural factors. To address the problems, different rehabilitation strategies have been implemented through government and community in a coordinated manner. This study investigated factors affecting smallholder farmers' participation in degraded forest rehabilitation at participatory forest management in Ethiopia. We used two-stage sampling procedure to select 140 sample households randomly from the district using probability proportional to size. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from primary and secondary sources. Tobit model was employed to analyze factors affecting smallholder farmers' participation and the level of participation in forest rehabilitation. The findings demonstrate that livestock holding size, the benefit derived from the forest, forest cooperative membership, perception of households and access to extension services positively affect farmers participation and the level of participation; whereas distance of the forest from the home negatively affects farmers' participation and the level of participation in forest rehabilitation. The study suggested that awareness creation, clear discussion with communities, strengthening existing benefits, creating related ones and providing more extension services, information and supports are required to improve farmers' participation in degraded forest rehabilitation practices.

In west hararghe Zone there was no improved technology of faba bean done on farmer's field and no high yield variety and drought resistant variety demonstrated to reach farmers widely in future.The experiment was carried out in Gemechis,Chiro and Tulo districts of West Harerghe Zone with the objectives of enhancing production and productivity of faba bean on farmers` fields, and to improve linkage among stakeholders and create awareness on improved faba bean varieties. Three kebeles were selected purposively based on faba bean production potential. Accordingly, Walenso Defo kebele from Gemechis, Arbarakate from Chiro District and Terkanfata kebele from Tulo district were selected. Seven farmers and one Farmers Training Center were participated depending on their interest to the technology, managing the experiment, have appropriate land for the experiment and taking the risk of experiment. Two improved varieties namely Hachalu and Tumsa with local variety were demonstrated and evaluated. The experiment was demonstrated on 100m 2 demonstration plots. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected through observation, group discussion on field day and data recording sheet. Descriptive statistics like mean and tabulation were used to analyse the crop performance concerning yield of the experiment harvested from demonstration plot. Improved varieties along with local variety were also analysed through independent t-statistics. While qualitative data were analysed trough simple ranking and summarization. Partial budget analysis was also used to analyse the economic benefit gained from the experiment. The result of the study indicated that Hachalu was ranked first in terms of yield, seed color and disease resistance. As it was discussed from partial budget analysis Hachalu variety has more economic advantage than both Tumsa and local variety. Therefore, Hachalu variety was recommended for further popularization and scaling up in study area and similar agro ecology.

This experiment was conducted in Daro Lebu and Boke districts of West Harerghe Zone with the objectives of evaluating lowland sorghum varieties on farmer's field and creating linkage and networking among stakeholders. Three kebeles were selected purposively based on sorghum production potential; two kebeles from Daro Lebu and one kebele from Boke district. Five farmers and one farmer training center participated depending on their interest to the technology, managing the experiment, having appropriate land for the experiment and taking the risk at the time of failures. Two improved varieties namely, Ethiopian Sorghum Hybrid-1 and Chare with local checks were demonstrated and evaluated. The experiment was demonstrated on 100 m 2 demonstration plots, and DAP 100 kg/ha-with Urea (50 kg at the time of sowing and at growing stage) were applied to one demonstration plot with a seed rate of 10 kg/ha. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected through observation, group discussion on field day and data recording sheet. Descriptive statistics, gross margin analysis and independent t-test were used to analyze collected data. Results indicated that Ethiopian Sorghum Hybrid-1 was ranked first in terms of yield, drought tolerant, biomass, early maturity, and seed colour and disease resistance. Independent t-test revealed that mean comparison of Ethiopian Sorghum Hybrid-1 and Chare along with local check were statically significant at 5% significant level on mean yield performance and had more economic advantage than local variety at the study area. Therefore, Ethiopian Sorghum Hybrid-1 and Chare varieties are recommended for further popularization and scaling up in study area and similar agro ecology.