Browsing by Author "Demeke, Mulat (PhD)"

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    The Contrlbution of Vocational Training to Employment
    (Addis Ababa University, 2001-06) Jember, Molla; Demeke, Mulat (PhD)
    11 is olien stated that a nation's young people represent its future, !t should naturally follow then the countries which provide their youth with appropriate knowledge and skills as well as productive work experience are laying or renewing the foundation for future economic and social well heing. fluman resources constitute the ultimate basis for wealth of nation. Capital and natural resources are passive factors of production; human beings are the active agents who (lccuml.date capital, exploit natural resources and carlY forward natural developrnent. Clearly ({ counlly which is unable to develop the skills and knowledge of its people and to utilize them efficiently will be unable to develop anything else (Haribson 1964:3). Like any other poor countries, Ethiopia faces with multi faceted problems. The problem of educated unemployment reached at its climax. In 1994, the rate of "'!employment ill the urban areas was about 22 percent. Unemployment rate stood at 38 and 39 percent within the age groups of 1 5-19 and 20-24 respectively in urban Ethiopia. This endelllic problem alfects each Administrative /legion . The ANRS is the one that unelllployment pervades chronically. Unemployment, in the region, is the leading threat in every endeavour to Illitigate poverty andfasten growth and development. According to 1994 census, 78599 (1.02%) of the region's population were unemployed. 98 percent of the total unemployed masses found in the urban and 27 percent have completed grade 12. This dilelllma has spurred much investigation into the role oitraining in improving productivity and the employability of the school lea vel's. The need to help promote economic recovery and new long terlll developlllent, to reduce unemployment and to help specific groups in the labour fo rce obtain access to emploYlllent has brought vocational education and training to the fo refiont of political discussion and significant increase in public funds have been committed to it.III view of th e lilllited absorptive capacity of the modem sector ill developing COUll tries and the resultallt high ullelllploYlllellt rate, it has been recomm ended technical and vocational training should ellcourage selfelllployment, initiatives and cooperation. Desp it e its illlportallce, some argue that training cannot be a solution and alleviate the existing high level of IIl1employmellt particularly in develop ing coulltries. The task of reducillg ullemploYlllelltlies primarily with general eco nomic policies. Vocatiollal trailling call be effective in preparing school-Ieavers for jobs if the delivery is competitive "lid the ecollomy is attractive. Therefore, the central theille of this study is that vocatiolla l trailling is II Ot all end ill itself to reduce un employment but can serve as a mea ns if provided effectively.
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    Determinants of Food Security in the Vulnerable Areas of Ethiopia: The Case of Ahferom Wereda in Region Tigray
    (Addis Ababa University, 2005-04) Araya, Alem; Demeke, Mulat (PhD)
    The drought-prone areas of the country are largely areas of chronic food insecurity. Production-based entitlements supplemented by creation of mechanisms of food access is considered as the major instruments of attaining food security in the rural development and food security strategies of the country. To this effect the diffusion of modem inputs and expansion of agricultural services and soil and water conservation activities are relatively widely employed. Moreover, the enhancement of alternative employment opportlmities is emphasized. Nevertheless, there is permanently a low food production capacity and chronic food insecurity in such areas. This study aims at examining and estimating the determinants of food security perceptions and own food production capacities of sample households from Ahferom Wereda of Region Tigray. The households are asked about the number of months they can cover their annual need from their yearly income/production. They are also requested about the amount of crop they produced in two consecutive years of 2001 and 2002 which is also changed into its calories equivalent and the number of months it can meet the minimum calories requirement of the household is computed. Various socioeconomic, technological and environmental factors are identified and their effects on yield, perception of food security status and own food production of the households have been analyzed. For this, cross tabulation of means and percentages are employed. Finally, two linear econometric models are formulated to statistically estimate the outcomes. The findings of the study indicate that the households have low production capacity and food security status due to various socio-economic and environmental factors . The average month that households perceived that their income/production can sufficiently cover their requirement is 5.23 months. The computed own produced food was ab le to cover 3.81 and 3.48 months of their minimum calories requirement respectively in 2001 and 2002. Both food security perception and food production are inversely related with family size, dependency ratio, female head of household, past famine experience, rainfall shortages, terrace construction, and getting access to loan. Both are also positively affected by factors such as farm assets, male head of households, involvement in off-farm activities and literacy of head of household. Some factors such as access to extension service, being in highland, employment in non-farm and food for work have inverse relation with food production but direct relation with that of food security perception. Moreover, application of improved seeds could not be helpful in food production while application offertilizer and either chemical are positive, though insignificantly. Generally, the ~Q.lQgies-and...agcicu-ltuFa.I-ser.y.ie8s-.ool~l d-Ro.~l.ell2ful ill incre~g I1roductivit du~o....lar.gel In gJ;.o~ecolQgiG pro e an.9. iteracy of the peasant· Rspecially, terracing, access to loan and extension service particularly to-the"TIliiefate are associated with lower yields and food production capacity. The literate is relatively in a better position of getting an advantage from extension service, getting relatively higher yields, using employment opportunities and food security perceptions.
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    Micro Finance and Its Contribution to Enterprise Income in Urban Ethiopia: The Case of Debre Birhan and Asela Towns
    (Addis Ababa University, 1998-06) Temesgen, Berhanu; Demeke, Mulat (PhD)
    The study was conducted in two market [Owns, namely, Debre Birhan and Assela with the aim of identify ing the impact of microcredit on micro enterprise income. According to the findings of the study, borrowers in Debre Birhan were able to increase monthly enterprise income from 181.14 Birr per month before the loan to 252. 77 Birr per month after the loan. Non- borrowers reported current monthly enterprise income of Birr 154. 77. Borrowers in Assela indicated an increase in enterprise income from Birr 139.32 p er month before the loan to Birr230 per month after the loan. The current enterprise income of the non- borrowers was Birr 282.94 per month. The regression result showed that income is affected by several factors . Among the many factors, credit was significantly correlated to average microenterprise income in Debre Birhan. Credit was not significantly correlated with income in the case of Assela. Enterprise income was also affected by start-up capital, non-paid family workers, paid employees and productive assets in Debre Birhan. The other variable which correlated to income was the type of economic activity. Those who were engaged in service enterprises earned more income than manufacturing in both towns. As indicated credit was not Significantly correlated with income in the case of Assela. The possible reasons for this result were: - a) Improper selection of borrowers; b) lvfisleading information during the initiation of the project; c) Low business activity as compared to Debre Birhan and d) Low level of credit provided to operators in Assela.
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    The performance and challenges of the current Agricultural Extension appr-oach in food crop packages-a case study in Assosa and Bambasi Woredas of the Benishangul Gumuz National Regional State
    (Addis Ababauniversity, 2002-06) Kassaye, Haitu; Demeke, Mulat (PhD)
    Curre ntl y, agric ultural ex tension acti vity has been wide ly implemented indi fferent parts of the world. Agri cul tural extension is both a science and an art, which aims at improving the over all productiv ity of the rural ' fa rmers. It usually introduces new techno logies or innovations fo r ta rgeted groups of the society. In short, agricultural extension can be considered as a bridge that links and faci litates a kind of hori zontal relationship among researchers, policy makers and fi ll"lners. The l11ai n obj ccti vc of this study is to see overall performance of th e current ex tension approach in food crop packages- in the case of Assosa and Bambasi woredas of the Beni shangul Gumuz Natio nal Regio nal State (BGNRS). These two woredas are relati vely access ible and pioneers to introducc the current ex tension approach. Due to such and other similar reasons, they were purpos ively sclccted fo r this particular study. Cross sectional survey method was employed to gath cr data fro m the selected sample househo lds of the areas. Each sample household was ra ndom ly se lccted from the stratifi ed groups (parti cipants and non-participants) of the sampling frame. In processes of data coll ection; constraints of money and time, scattered type of scttlements, unfavorabl e cli mate and lack of road transportation were maj or prob lems. Descripti ve stat isti cs, measures of stati stical significance and logistic regression model were used to analyze the data. In add ition to that, group di scuss ion was administered wi th representati ves of agricultural o f'fi ces ofthe two woredas, development agents of the areas, Woreda administrators 'lI1d d iffe rent cxperts o f the regional agricultural bureau. As the over al l results of the study clearl y shows, each sample households knows at least about the existence o f' the current extension program . On the other hand, average yield ; gross benefits and net benefits of cx tension plots are found better th an non-extension plots. The program is al so found contribu tin g a s ignifi cant change on food intake of the sample participants. But, on actiV ities likc demonstrations, fi eld vi sits, and group discu ssions; supports given to fann ers of the areas arc not much sati sfa ctory. Besides to th at, the role of farmers is not also well consi dered in the over all planning and implementation process of the program. Among hypothesized vari ables; number of oxen, access to credit services, and dummy variabl es for scttle rs are foun d signifi cantly affect extension parti cipation. In thc study areas; high illiteracy rates, language, marginali zation of women, declining in crop prices, fin ancia l probl ems, lack o f access to credit services, absence of input delivering agencies, poor tra nsportat ion, and absence of research in stitu tion are identi fl ed to be the main problems (chal lenges) o f th e current extension program . Pl ann ers, policy makers, researchers, adm in istrators, extension agents, and others stakeho lders need to work coll aboratively to tackle these prob leJ11s. As l11uch as possible, early l11easures are hi ghly recoJ11J11ended. Other WIse, lilrJ11 erS will not be willing for continuing to participate in the program
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    The Role of Rural Community Training in Agricultural Production and Household Food Security The Experience of A Gri-Ser Vice Ethiopia (Ngo) In Bale Zone, Oromia Regional State
    (Addis Ababa University, 2001-06) Aklilu, Temesgen; Demeke, Mulat (PhD)
    This paper comprises all rounded analysis of literature mId empirical results of the impact of community training on household food security. The study is based on Bale zone three woredas-Gassera Gololcha, Ginir and Goro. These woredas are preferred because Agri-service Ethiopia, local NGO, has been providing rural community training for selected faImers through its integrated rural development program since 1987. Highland area of Bale is taken as potential area for agricultural production. Despite its potentiality, Bale zone is not thoroughly studied to maximize its potential. As a result small-scale farmers are less access to modem technology and methods of fatming to change their life style. Consequently, this study focused to deal with the role of community training on patticipant household agricultural production and food security. Comparing approach of pmticipant and non-participant farmers is applied to indicate the differences between the two groups of farmers. Primary data collection is undertaken in January 2001 from the woredas, Kebeles and villages equally fifty percent fi·om participant households of Agri-service Ethiopia and non-participants. Discussion and atlalysis of the finding is made both qualitati vely and econometrically. The basic data analysis of age, sex, educational status, ethnic group, religion of household head and family size was made. Agricultural production activities of-cereals and pulses (main crop), garden, tree crops and livestock production, input utilization and finally consumption pattern of two groups of household is thoroughly investigated. In addition to these, based on their main crop production, those households food secure and insecure are distinguished. The factors that determine the status of household to be food self-sufficient m·e also econometrically measured.The results of the study indicate that the impact of community training provided for farm ers is with less (insignificant) impacts on the main crop production compared to non-trained farmers. The role of training is reflected on natural resource conservation, garden and tree crops, input util ization rate and production of poultry and bee-keeping production and quality of livestock. Crop damage that faced participant fanners is one cause that reduced the positive impact of community training. Empirical analysis indicated that 32.7 percent of participant fanners and 25.7 percent of nonparticipants are found to be food insecure at 2100 Kcl minimum calorie requirement using main crops production. The status household food self-sufficiency is highly negati vely cOlTelated with family size; crop loss (damage) occurred and improved seed used. The status of food security is also strongly positively correlated with cultivated land, asset sold by household and feliilizer input used. Finall y, therefore, the strategy to apply family planning in rural households and ' supplying disease and pest controlling improved seeds, which help to reduce the risk of crop damage. Since cultivated land size is one of main detenninants to attain food self-sufficiency fanners with small size of lands should benefited with access to non-farm activities for diversification. Fall11erS should be oriented to keep and improve the natural quality (fertility) of their cultivated land
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    The Underlying Causes of Household Food Insecurity and Coping Strategies: The Case of Legambo Wereda, South Wollo Zone, Amhara Region, North Eastern Ethiopia
    (Addis Ababa University, 2000-06) Bekele, Eshetu; Demeke, Mulat (PhD)
    This stud), reports both theoretical and elllpirical fill dings all the underlying causes a/food illsecurity alld households copillg strategies ill Legambo Wereda, South Wallo, one o( the chronically food insecllre weredas o( the Alllhara regioll. Although the causes alld coping strategies of households were 1I0t stlldied before, the stlldy wereda has been alld is being repeatedly affected by droughtinduced food insecurity and the lIIajority of the households were and are exposed to lIIigration and death and the remaining ones are depelldellt 011 food aid. ThIlS, the objective of this research was to identifj; and allal),ze the ilia jar causes o.(food insecurity alld coping strategies o( hOllseholds durillg food crisis in the wereda. The allalysis was lIIade using the household data collected Fom three kebeles (Segnogebeya, Ertlleti, and Tach Akesta), that are representing difFerent agro-ecological and production zones o./"the weredafor the year 1998/99. Descriptive statistics on 1110 jar household characteristics (such as: size and age-sex distributioll, depelldency ratio, fertility and mortality, lIIigration, ethnici'y alld language, religious culI/positioll, marital alld literacy status) of the households were discussed. Moreover, the lIIajor activities o( the households and major farm characteristics alld access to productive assets (.\"lIch as: farlll lalld, crop productioll, farlll illputs alld extellsioll, draft anilllais alld farlll tools alld livestock productioll), alld other variables (such as: non,(arlll opportunities, food aid, and coping strategies) were analyzed based all prilllOl)! alld sOllie seCOlldOl)! data collected FOIII Federal, Regiollal alld local level offices and informatioll obtained FOIi/ group discussions alld key informants. In additioll to food availability calculatiolls used to lIIeasure the level of household's food security status, lillear regression analysis was carried out. The study result has showl/. that, il/ter alia, households with relatively hetter access to resources, HOI/farlll incollle, urban center alld better copillg mechanisllls were proved to have relatively better food security status than others. III the study wereda, relatively better of( households were observed in wainadega agro-ecology thall those in dega areas. As revealed by the sllldy results, more than 64 percent of the populatioll in the wereda was found to be below the food poverty line. Overall, the stlldy populatioll fulfills only 87 percent (1553 Kcal/person/day) of their per capita caloric requirements /i-olll all available sources (including food aid) at the lowest level of survival consllmption rate (which is 1785 Kcal/person/day). Food povert)l, as fOllnd out Fom the study results is higltly correlated with agro-ecology, non-farlll access, possession o( cultivable land and other productive assets such as oxen, family size and neamess to urban centers. The OLS regression results, also revealed that among other variables, agro-ecology, nOll-farm income, cultivated land and proximity to the wereda center were/ound out to have positive coefficients and higltly significant (all significant at 99 percent confidence level) in determining household's food security status. Hence, the underlying callses for household food insecurity are found to be highly related with resource access, location, and non-farm opportunities. It is, therefore, suggested that among other things, focus on family planning, diversifjling the rural economy (particularly, by giving 1II0re emphasis to livestock and agro-forestl)l developlllent), creating offfarm employment opportunities and backing up same of the traditionally known coping mechanisms must receive policy atteJltion to reduce household food insecurity. Policy illstrumellts, such as skill training and credit particlliariy payillg more emphasis to the dega areas could help develop non,/ell'm income for food insecure households. Moreover a well deSigned and plallned reselliement programmes should be seen as an illStrulllent for ensuring sustainable livelihood and food security of the IIIOst vllinerable households in Legalllbo.
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    Urban Agriculture Initiatives In Addis Ababa With Practical Evidences From Selected Vegetable Producing Cooperatives And Households In The City
    (Addis Ababauniversity, 2002-02) Jemal, Mohammed; Demeke, Mulat (PhD)
    Many of the urban development studies on the city of Addis Ababa nearly always concentrate on the non-agricultural activities, as the result of which information and even base-line data on urban agriculture in the city are missing. This exploratory and descriptive study intends not only to contribute something in fillingin this gap of information on urban agriculture by taking one component of urban agriculture, which is vegetable production, but also has the intention of attracting allention to the relatively neglected area of urban agriculture. To this end, the study attempts to characterize the vegetable producing urban farmers in the city; to explore and describe the types, the scales and peljormances of vegetable production activities in the city. It also tries to examine the income, employment, and consumption effects of vegetable production; to idel1li/Y and analyze the major problems and constraints as well as to indicate implication for future government policy planning and management of urban agriculture. Major findings of the study prove that the activity of urban agriculture in Addis Ababa has been significantly contributing to the income generation of the urban poor families thereby contributing towards alleviating the intensity of poverty. Additionally, findings of the research show that, the sector has also been of a paramount importance in providing these families with food security and employment opportunities. However, results of the findings on the other hand indicate that urban agriculture in Addis Ababa is being highly constrained by various factors amongst which lack of government recognition, constraints on access to inputs and services are worth mentioning. Departingji-om all these outcomes of the study therefore it has been highly recommended that the government give sufficient attention to the industl), particularly in the areas of support for research and development, in the areas of provision of extension workers, inputs, and credit facilities for the overall improvement of productivity and the successful development of urban agriculture