Sesame post-harvest loss and its determinants in Kafta Humera, Ethiopia of cross-sectional data were obtained from interviewing 128 producers and measurement at 56 fields. The loss found were at harvesting (16.41%), drying (50.44%), un-threshed (11.55%), piles transportation (9.9%), storage (6.73%), cleaning (3.2%), and leads total loss of 23.7% (4260 Birr/ton). The significant determinants of sesame post-harvest loss found were sesame produced, weather, transportation mode, piles transported distance, stacking days, educational level, farm distance, land size, and extension contact. This study so recommends strengthening education, extension, credit, nearby follow up, and frequently visit for reducing sesame post-harvest loss. Introduction of sesame harvesting and drying technologies and machineries are also better in reducing sesame post-harvest losses.

This study analyzed marketing chain and structure, conduct and performance of sesame in Kafta Humera district of Tigray region, Ethiopia; using primary and secondary data obtained from field survey and desk review using a semi-structured questionnaire. Multistage random sampling technique was used to draw 128 and 126 small and, large-scale sesame producers, respectively. Also, a total of 44 assemblers, 5 cooperatives, 13 exporters and one processor were interviewed. Applying the descriptive statistics method and market observation of the researcher; the major sesame market chain actors were producers, assemblers, cooperatives, exporters and processors. The concentration ratios of the first four and eight large local assemblers and exporters indicated that there was a weak oligopoly market structure. It is also found that there were entry barriers, information asymmetry and collusion in price-setting; indicating that sesame market was deviating from the norms of competitive market structure. Considering free on board of hulled sesame price; the gross marketing margins of 5%, 12% and 45% and net marketing margins of 1%, 3% and 17% obtained by assemblers, exporters and processors, respectively. But, Considering the free-on-board price of raw sesame; the gross marketing margins of 7%, 18% and about 75% and net marketing margins of 1.13%, 4.41% and 4.85% obtained by assemblers, exporters and producers, respectively. All these indicating that the sesame market was being poorly performing. Depending on the results found this study recommends, it will be better if the focus is given to value-added product export, securing competitive market through minimizing entry barriers, strengthening timely updated market information and formal credit access, hiring marketing experts at market centres to control collusion of traders in price setting.

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This study identifi es the main determinants of milk production in Northwestern and Western zone of Tigray region using both secondary and primary data sources collected through survey, KII and FGD. The cross-sectional data type has collected during 2018 from 309 smallholder dairy cattle keeper farmers randomly selected following multistage sampling technique. It has so found that the average milk yield obtained per cow per day was 2.53 and 3.3 3Lt; milked for the average number of 27 and 26 days per month for the average number of 6.3 and 6.4 months. So that the total produced amount of milk was 1166.25Lt and 2291.29Lt per household, respectively for Tahtay adiyabo and Kafta humera districts. Applying multiple linear regression analysis, the major determinants of milk yield in Tahtay adiyabo district are; number of months that collected/concentrated feed has provided for dairy cows, education level of the household head, place where milk has sold and loan obtained especially for dairy production. These variables have positive and signifi cant relationship. While, variables such as distance of cattle farm from local market, total family size and marital status of the household head has signifi cant and negative relationship. Similarly, in Kafta humera district the determinant factors are; number of months that collected feed provided, occurrence of cattle pests and diseases, education level of household head and experience in cattle rearing has signifi cant and positive relationship. While, variables such as sex of the household head, distance of water source that dairy cattle travel and extension contact in livestock production has signifi cant and negative relationship with milk yield obtained. Based on these fi ndings this study recommends that, capacity building; organizing smallholder farmers by nearby and establish functional milk and its product supplying cooperatives. It is also important that dairy cows should provide concentrated and collected feed; introduction of improved forages with intensive protection from cattle diseases and pests as well as improving access to drinking water source in nearby are important.

Soybean is a drought tolerant crop which can grow from low to medium altitudes. In the lowland areas of North-Western Tigray the growing of leguminous crop is very low. To introduce soybean commodity in North-western Tigray, demonstration of improved soybean varieties were conducted in 2018/19. The trail was conducted at Tahtay Adyabo and Tselemti Districts that have a potential for growing the soybean. It was conducted by selecting three Kebelles from the districts. A total of 35 farmers were involved in the intervention. The necessary training was given to the participant farmers and experts. Following this improved seed of Awassa-95 and Gizo varieties at Tahtay Adyabo Districts, and Wegayen and Gizo seed at Tselemti District were offered to participant farmers. Each farmer have been planted a plot size of 0.02 ha for each of the two varieties. The descriptive result shows, Awassa-95 soybean variety has given significantly higher yield at Tahtay Adyabo as compared to Gizo variety. The variety was gave an average yield of 1067 kg/ha and 570 kg/ha respectively Awassa-95 and Gizo varieties. On the other hand an average yield of 1231 kg/ha and 1052 kg/ha, respectively was obtained for Gizo and Wegayen varieties at Tselemti District. This shows that Tselemti District is more better for the cropping of Gizo variety. Moreover, the improved soybean verities (Gizo at Tselemti district and Awassa-95 at Tahtay Adyabo district) were found to be early maturing and best option to moisture stressed areas for the society protein source. Based on the result it is recommended to be popularize Awassa-95 soybean variety at Tahtay Adyabo District and Gizao soybean varieties at Tselemti District to large farmers. Therefore, the research center and the office of agriculture and rural development of the Districts to be popularized the varieties to large number farmers of the areas.