Purpose: The purpose of this study was to review the role of microfinance and empowering women in Ethiopia Findings: According to findings of different authors microfinance is providing financial services to unemployed and low income individuals or groups who would have no access to formal banking services. It has positive impact on the living standard of the poor people in particular and alleviating poverty in their household in general. It is not only undermining poverty in the country, but also empowering women through surviving and making their life prosperous with dignity and self reliance by providing financial services. And also Ethiopian Microfinance is facing different challenges in empowering such as lack of collateral assets, lack of information, work burden, production failures, verbal abuse, lack of infrastructure, low institutional capacity and opportunities of women in microfinance are providing startup capital, women empowerment, poverty eradication, social and political empowerment, improved saving skills and the above challenges listed should be take consideration by government and concerned body as well as problem solving study must be conducted.Unique contribution to theory, practice and policy: It is better when countries microfinance would be more diversified its services to poor categories of the women. Infrastructural facilities must be fulfilled for microfinance institution to empower women

Background In many low- and middle-income countries, the 2019 novel coronavirus (COVID-19) has challenged efforts to ensure access to and availability of quality maternal, newborn, and child health (MCH) services and essential MCH commodities. Objectives This study evaluated the impact of COVID-19 pandemic on the availability of maternal and child health products and childhood vaccines at selected health facilities in Ethiopia. Methods We have prospectively assessed 28 maternal–child health products and 14 childhood vaccines and accessories, which are listed in the Ethiopian national essential medicines list. Data were collected from 5 hospitals located in the Jimma zone of Oromia regional state in the southwestern part of Ethiopia. We extracted data on drug availability, and order fill rates for these pharmaceutical products between May 2019 and August 2020. Results The overall mean availability of selected maternal and child health products was 43.2%. It was 52.9% (range 21.0–63.6%) prior COVID-19 and 42.6% (range 19–56.4) during COVID-19 time. The average monthly orders fill rates of hospitals for the selected products ranged from 39 to 79%. Before COVID-19 the average order fill rate was near 70% of total orders placed by the hospitals. However, immediately after the COVID-19 case notification in Ethiopia, the percentage of order filled correctly in items and quantities began decreasing. Conclusion This study illustrates that the availability of key essential medicines for maternal and child health in the study area was low. The overall stock-out situation of MCH products has worsened during COVID-19 compared to pre-COVID-19 pandemic. None of the surveyed MCH products met the ideal availability benchmark of 80% in the public hospitals. To allow governments to guarantee these products are constantly available and affordable, a variety of policy frameworks and choices addressing inevitable epidemics should exist.

Purpose: This purpose of the study was to review of coffee value chain in Ethiopia on the course crop value chain managementUnique contribution to theory, practice and policy: The value chain actors must play a critical role to increases the profit plow back in the Ethiopian coffee sector and then will significantly improve living standards of the poor who are at the source of the chain.

This study attempted to analyze the teff value chain in the Jimma Arjo District of East Wollega Zone, WesternEthiopia. The multistage sampling technique was employed to draw a sample of 123 teff producers, purposively selected 55 traders and 15 consumers. Both quantitative and qualitative data were collected from primary and secondary sources using pre-tested structured questionnaires and checklists. Descriptive statistics and Kendall’s coefficient of concordance were applied to analyze data. Results showed that the main teff value chain actors in the study area included input suppliers, producers, local collectors, wholesalers, retailers, andconsumers. In the district, there were no proper upgrading practices and governance systems in the teff value chain. The predicted probability that teff producers choose local collectors, wholesalers, retailers, and consumer outlets amounted to 45%, 69.9%, 20.4%, and 74.6%, respectively. Kendall’s coefficient of concordance (W) analysis showed that 68.5% and 46.2% of farmers agreed with each other on the ranking of constraints hindering teff production and marketing, respectively. Recommendations drawn from the study findings include the need to improve the input supply system and governance, eliminate issues found in the chain, train farmers, enhance the quality of market information, boost teff productivity and volume sales, strengthen the links between teff value chain actors, and improve support institutions.

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