Abstract: The study was proposed to assess the stingless bee production practices, distribution and indigenous knowledge in the Bale and West Arsi Zones of South-eastern Oromia. Three districts were considered within two zones. From each district three Rural Kebeles were selected and a total of 65 stingless bee honey hunters were interviewed and field observations were also added. Across-sectional study with purposive sampling methods was used to conduct the study. According to the study results, the honey hunters were categorized Meliponula species (underground nesting stingless bees) and Trigona species (tree trunk cavity nesting stingless bee). They were used different methods to find the ground-nesting stingless bees and these includes by chance when walking along forest or grazing land or to home land, direct observations of nest entrance or dedicated searching for presence of holes on the ground, use of honey smell to locate the nest site on ground and use of its enemies like ant as indicators. The average amount of honey harvested per nest was 2.88±0.23 Litters and it was differing from place to place depending on availability of flowering plants, age of nests and season of the year. The study indicated harvesting honey in the study area was totally in destructive way. As the respondent report, the collected honey was used for home consumption, treatment of different kinds of diseases and for income generations. About 87.7% of respondents were searching stingless bees at early in the morning and afternoon when sun gets on set. 49.2% of sample respondents were harvested honey twice per year. During the study time the price of stingless bee honey ranges from 250 to 1000 with mean price 507.89 Ethiopian Birr per litter at local market. The study showed that Honey badger, Aardvark, Sugar ant, Ant, Termites and Wasps as the major stingless bee enemies in the study areas. The study revealed there is a deep indigenous knowledge of wild stingless bee honey hunting practices. In addition, the study area has unique and diverse fauna and floras in which dominant flowering plants exist, that makes conducive environment for stingless bees. Hence, adopting stingless bee colony domestication technology is critical for increasing stingless bee production and productivity through sustainable honey production and conservation. In addition to it requires great attention from government, non-government organizations and concerned body should raise awareness about conservation, domestication and sustainable use of these natural resources.Abstract: The study was proposed to assess the stingless bee production practices, distribution and indigenous knowledge in the Bale and West Arsi Zones of South-eastern Oromia. Three districts were considered within two zones. From each district three Rural Kebeles were selected and a total of 65 stingless bee honey hunters were interviewed and field observ...Show More
Abstract: Nzega is among the districts located in semi-arid areas of Tanzania where drought is a limiting factor for agriculture. The Tanzanian government has started advising farmers to use early maturing maize varieties (EMMV) as a response to frequent droughts. The use of EMMV is one of the factors which can increase maize production. Efforts to promote use of EMMV have not been successful. Most farmers are still using traditional varieties which succumb easily to droughts. Farmers will adopt a certain technology if it is likely to have a significant contribution in improving welfare. The present paper examines the relative profitability of the two maize varieties. The paper uses data collected from 150 maize farmers consisting of adopters and non-adopters of EMMV. Multistage random sampling technique was used to select maize farmers. Data were collected through structured questionnaire. Gross margin was computed and t-test was used to compare the profitability maize varieties. The results show that the gross margin for EMMV is higher than the traditional maize varieties. The gross margin for EMMV is 306396.30Tshs/acre while for Traditional maize varieties the gross margin is 177230.3Tshs/acre. The difference is statistically significant at 0.05 levels. Farmers should be emphasized in using EMMV.Abstract: Nzega is among the districts located in semi-arid areas of Tanzania where drought is a limiting factor for agriculture. The Tanzanian government has started advising farmers to use early maturing maize varieties (EMMV) as a response to frequent droughts. The use of EMMV is one of the factors which can increase maize production. Efforts to promote u...Show More
Abstract: In Ethiopia, potato is one of the most economically significant crops since they are a source of both food and income, coupled with relatively short growing season, and widely adaptable and cultivated tuber crops. Many studies carried out in the country shows that the low tuber yield of potato is due to inadequate and blanket fertilizer applications, particularly recently introduced blended fertilizers, and improper variety selection for various agro-ecological zones. Due to genotypic diversity, potato yield differed between locations and seasons as well as in response to the rates at which blended fertilizers were applied. Improved potato varieties produced the highest tuber yield as compared to local cultivars due to genetic variation in nutrient utilization and their tolerance to late blight disease, one of the most common potato diseases. The potato is a high nutrient feeder that uses a substantial amount of nutrients per unit of time due to its shallow and underdeveloped root systems. In all parts of the country, increasing the rate at which blended fertilizers like NPS, NPSB, and NPSZnB are applied can maximize potato production. Nonetheless, the majority of farmers are understood the importance using fertilizers and planting improved varieties can have on yields. However, because of high cost of fertilizers, they do not use it as a recommendation, and they do not use varieties that are appropriate for their regions and the seasons. Therefore, the application of optimum fertilizer and use of improved varieties can maximize the production of potato for smallholder farmers to make their food security sustainable.Abstract: In Ethiopia, potato is one of the most economically significant crops since they are a source of both food and income, coupled with relatively short growing season, and widely adaptable and cultivated tuber crops. Many studies carried out in the country shows that the low tuber yield of potato is due to inadequate and blanket fertilizer application...Show More
