Four theories are used to explain the causes and dynamics of violent conflict along the Oromia–Somali Border in eastern Ethiopia. Of these, political economy (greed versus grievance) and political ecology theories are instrumental in understanding the main drivers of violence. Politicization of ethnicity and the self-centered behavior of political elites have increased the complexity of the conflict. Fekadu Kenee demonstrates that peacebuilding efforts require respect for the outcomes of referendums on the disputed territorial units and revitalization of customary systems, among others. While customary institutions can resolve conflicts at least temporarily, sustained community dialogue needs to be part of the political reform to build lasting inter-regional peace.

By focusing on the case of the Jarso and the Girhi in eastern Ethiopia, this article seeks to contribute to comparative studies on the social, territorial and relational effects of the effort at political and administrative decentralization in multi-ethnic settings. The article analyses the political and social implications of the elements that constitute impediments to social cohesion and socio-economic interaction in the study area. The data required for the study were collected through fieldwork that involved interviews, focus group discussions and field observations. On the basis of the analysis, the article recommends what should be done to create a relational politics of place in which places and spaces that connect people remain open, discontinuous, relational and internally diverse.

The paper presents the results of analysis conducted to empirically establish the role of social network in smallholder farmers’ decision to join seed producer cooperative, in Hararghe, Oromia, Ethiopia. We used a ‘random matching within sample’ technique to generate data on social links and resources shared like information among their links. Average treatment effects were used to limit ‘non-awareness’ or ‘selection bias’ on participation rate. An econometric strategy was employed to isolate endogenous effect from correlated and contextual social network effects and analyzed by Probit model. Rainfall data was obtained from NMA for 1986–2018 years and analyzed by coefficient of variation (CV) and standardized anomalies index (Z). The result CV and Z shows intra- and inter seasonal variability of rainfall and, the severity and frequency of drought have increase which works against a single optimum seed source. Rate of membership to FBSc was 75% for exposed sub-sample against 70% for the full sample. This shows the existence of exposure bias. The size of social network, linkage with relatives and extension agents influence farmers’ decision to join FBSc and thus, the presence of endogenous effects of social networks. Thus, participation decision is more likely to be affected by characters and structure of social network. Access to off-farm income and perception on profit influences farmer participation decision where weather-indexed seed insurance can service as an effective strategy to ensure sustained membership. Therefore, any intervention in promotion of FBSc should consider the characters’ and structure of social network and emphasis on indexed-based seed insurance and climate information services as strategy to promote seed producers cooperatives.

Agriculture is the backbone of Ethiopia country economic development strategy and the main source of livelihood in terms of employment, generating foreign currency and raw materials for industries. Farmer Training Centers (FTCs) was established as a means to develop human resource and enhance innovation needed to transform the sector to productive and market oriented system. The main purpose of this study was to analyze the relevance and effectiveness of FTCs in Gurawa woreda in terms of changes in knowledge, attitude and practical levels, and explore institutional linkages with of the FTCs. This study used cross-sectional survey method to obtain the necessary data in 2018/19 production season. The data was obtained from 120 (60 trained and 60 untrained) randomly selected respondents from 4 kebeles using probability proportion to size sampling method. In addition, KII, FGD, and review of available record at FTCs were used for data collection. Relevance of FTCs were obtained based on the identifications of farmers’ needs and constraints, content of training, training delivery methods, selection criteria of trainees and appropriateness of period, duration and schedules of trainings were vary among the sampled in the area. Effectiveness of FTCs were identified based on the obtained result of knowledge, attitude and practical assessment of trained and untrained farmers, their mean difference of trained farmers towards the given technologies and commodities were significantly higher than untrained farmers at 1%, 1%, and 5% (p=0.01,0.01 and 0.05) of probability level respectively. According to the linkage mechanisms, the public, private and NGOs was identified as a key actors for institutional linkages which are weak in the functioning of FTCs based training.

This article examines customary institutions governing rangeland resources in the Oromia Region, Ethiopia. Using data from different pastoral groups, we employed a case-study approach to explore how property rights are defined and enforced. The study indicates heterogeneity in systems of defining and enforcing rights. Due to the fugitive nature of resource use in pastoral systems, property rights vary seasonally. Though flexibility in the definition of such rights has become central to the survival of pastoral herders, formal administrative boundaries and policies have limited resource access, becoming sources of violent conflict and obstacle to customary systems. Government policies favouring private land use, expansion of large-scale investment on pastoral land, establishment of national parks, and certification of privately used land challenged the smooth functioning of customary land governance. This implies that state intervention should not undermine customary systems but permit them to exercise rangeland governance and ensure pastoral rights to secure livelihoods.