Abyssinia Journal of Business and Social Sciences

Determinants of Soil and Water Conservation Measures for Sustainable Land Management Practices at Farm Level in Bati District, Ethiopia

Alem-meta Assefa, Tesfaye Workneh — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Land degradation poses a significant challenge to agricultural production in various parts of the world, particularly in developing nations such as Ethiopia. The study examines the adoption of soil and water conservation measures at the farm level in the Bati district, Ethiopia, and identifies the implications of dynamic land use and land cover changes for sustainable land management practices. The data were collected from both primary and secondary sources. Primary data was obtained through surveys, group discussions, interviews, and observations, while secondary data was gathered from published and unpublished materials like books, journals, reports, maps, and photographs from relevant offices. The study employed a multistage sampling procedure to select 339 sample households. Descriptive statistics, binary logistic regression models, and GIS software (ArcMap) were used to analyse and interpret the data. It estimates the determinants of soil and water conservation measures. Major findings of the study include farmers with a positive perception of SWC are 7.5 times more likely to adopt these practices; extension services and farmer training significantly influence the adoption of SWC practices; the sex of the household head, slope of the farmland, and distance from home negatively impact adoption; 75.2% of farmers have adopted SWC practices, but challenges like labour, money, and awareness remain; cultivated land area has increased significantly: 2,879.21 ha/decade between 1988 and 1998, 10,279.26 ha/decade between 1998 and 2008, and 4,105.53 ha/decade between 2008 and 2018. The study recommends the development of conservation plans and strategies to effectively assess soil erosion hazard and land cover dynamics.

Water governance in Awash basin, Ethiopia: Achievements, Challenges, and Opportunities

Asnake Adane — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Water governance has emerged as an important topic in the international arena and is a crucial factor for sustained progress towards achieving Sustainable Development Goal (SDG). Ethiopia has an abundance of water resources and is home to many transnational rivers. However, regular variations in the spatial and temporal availability of water as well as catastrophic events have resulted in water stress throughout the nation. The objective of this paper is to assess the achievement, challenges, and opportunities of water governance in Awash basin. Literature review and consultations with experts were conducted to identify and describe the core components of water governance (functions), describe their challenges and opportunities, and how they interrelate with the values of the different stakeholders in Awash basin, Ethiopia. Further discussion with stakeholders was held regarding water policies in the basin, their current state, and policy failures. The review highlights that the management of water resources must be effective and efficient in the current environment, and frequent evaluation and revision of policies, laws, and regulations is essential to reducing water shortage. The Awash Basin's water management agencies were assessed, and historical and modern water management practices, in-depth evaluation of these practices was done in this study. The findings shows that organization, policy creation and regulation, institutional capability, and coordination were essential components of governance.

The Long-term Effect of Indirect Selective and Indirect Comprehensive Corrective Feedback on Improving Writing Accuracy

Asres Nigus Mekonnen — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This study investigated the comparative effectiveness of indirect selective and indirect comprehensive written corrective feedback in improving the writing accuracy of first year university students. For this purpose, students in two sections (N=52) who were taught a writing course by one teacher were purposely selected, and were randomly assigned into a selective and a comprehensive feedback groups. The selective feedback group students were offered with indirect CF by underlining five selected grammatical error types and writing codes over those errors. Conversely, the comprehensive feedback group students were provided with the same kind of CF on all of the grammar errors they produced. The treatment process took 42 days in which the participant students were made to write three expository paragraphs: a pre-test, an immediate post-test and a delayed post-test. The results showed that indirect selective corrective CF resulted in significant gains in writing accuracy between compositions one and three as well as between compositions two and three. On the other hand, the indirect comprehensive CF group students didn’t bring significant improvements in their writing accuracy between any of the writing occasions. It was also found that there was no significant difference in the writing accuracy improvement of the two groups in the immediate posttest. However, during the delayed posttest writing, the indirect selective CF brought better improvements in writing accuracy (at P=0.01) than the indirect comprehensive CF.

Effects of Self-Regulated Strategy Development Instruction on EFL Students’ Writing Performance and Engagement: The Case of Wollo University

Engidasew Nigussie, Abiy Yigzaw, Dawit Amogne — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The main concern of this study was to examine the effects of Self-Regulated Strategy Development writing instruction on third year undergraduate EFL students’ writing performance and engagement. For this purpose, an interrupted time-series quasi- experimental design was conducted on 10 students of Wollo University selected using comprehensive sampling technique. In order to collect quantitative data from the participants of the study, eight essay writing tests; and a questionnaire about engagement were used. Textual analysis and semistructured interview were also used to collect qualitative data from the respondents in line with the objectives. The quantitative data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, namely mean, standard deviation and using inferential statistics of paired samples t-test and repeated measure Analysis of variance. The qualitative data were analyzed using textual analysis and Nvivo software. The findings of the descriptive statistics and textual analysis and the Nvivo thematic analysis revealed that the Self-Regulated Strategy Development writing instruction had a significant positive effect on students’ writing performance and writing task engagement. The results demonstrated a significant improvement in both the writing performance (p<0.005) and engagement levels (p<0.05) of EFL students after the SRSD intervention. Based on the results, the study recommends that the teaching of writing in higher education could benefit if Self-Regulated Strategy Development is integrated into the existing practice of second language writing pedagogy.

Lyrical Uprising: How Oromo Youth Utilize Songs as Weapon of Political Resistance in Burayu Town, Oromia National Regional State, Ethiopia

Fekadu Bizuneh, Fekadu Adugna — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This article highlights the crucial role of protest songs in the fight of Ethiopian youth against authoritarianism, using the example of youth protests in Oromia from 2014 to 2018. The research, conducted in Burayu Town in Ethiopia's Oromia Regional State, demonstrates that songs are essential resources for young people's political mobilization. By providing shared political aims and objectives, protest songs guide young people towards specific political goals, fostering shared identities and points of reference. The power of these songs lies in their ability to unite, reinforce, and disseminate a common identity and set of beliefs that inspire young people to engage in political action. Qualitative techniques such as focus groups, casual talks, and interviews were used to gather information, and both primary and secondary data sources were necessary to research young people's political mobilization. The results show that protest songs have the power to educate and prepare young people for political engagement. Through these songs, many members of the community learned about the injustice and suffering prevalent in Oromia, which raised public awareness of the political climate in the country. As a result, protest songs played a significant role in forming a unique young political organization that was established for political action. They also gave young people a sense of agency for political mobilization.

Military Expedition of Emperor Tekle Giorgis I in Wollo, Northeastern Ethiopia

Israel Arage, Solomon Gebreyes — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This paper attempts to show the routes, causes, responses and opposition of the Muslims of Wollo against the military expeditions
of Emperor Tekle Giorgis I (r.1779-1800). The Emperor was one of the princes of Zemene Mesafint (1769-1855) Emperors, nicknamed as Fiṣṣame Mengist, ‘End of the monarchy.’ The chronicle was written in Geʿez during his reign by chronicler, Aleqa Gebru, who was very close to the king. Because of the state influences, the Muslim chiefs of Wollo, Yeju, Wuchale and WorreHimeno were said to have embraced Islam at the end of the 18th century and since then more Oromo had been converted to it as a measure. This was so due to the fact that the affliction to conquer the region enlarged at the conclusion of the 18th century, Wollo was Islamized. This was largely factual of the Mommedoch/ Imams, the most influential rulers of Wollo and hereditary governors of Worre Himeno. This phenomenon paved the way for the germinations of frustration among the already deep rooted existence of the Christian populations. Therefore, this strong Islamic penetration aggravated the Christian King of Emperor Tekle Giorgis I for military expeditions. Once the final decision had been taken, the Emperor made the military expedition. The responses of the Muslims to the military expedition were threefold.

The Challenges of International Powers Competition in the Horn of Africa: The IGAD Experience

Michael Kihishen, Getachew Zeru, Kejtil Tronvoll, Yohanes Takalign — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

Geopolitical, economic, and security interests have recently prompted multiple international powers' involvement in the Horn of Africa. Although the region currently hosts a significant number of international powers, the challenges and impacts these powers pose to the region’s peace and security and the Inter-Governmental Authority on Development's (IGAD) peace and security activities have received little attention in academic literature. Thus, the purpose of this article is to explore the challenges and impacts that international powers pose to the region's peace and security and the IGAD's efforts to promote it. The neorealist theory of international relations is utilized as a theoretical framework. The research method is qualitative. Primary and secondary data sources were employed. The findings indicate that the increasing involvement of international powers, driven by geopolitical and security concerns, has led to instability and conflict in the Horn of Africa. The presence of these powers challenges the IGAD's policy formulation, agenda-setting, implementation, decision- making, and financial autonomy, thereby affecting its performance in achieving its mandates.

Exploring Reading Strategy Use of Wollo University First Year Social Science Students

Musema Aman, Geremew Lemu — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The purpose of this research was to explore the reported reading strategies use of university students. It was particularly concerned with determining the frequency level, type, and variety of reading strategies used by the participant students when reading academic materials. The study was conducted in Wollo University in Ethiopia. The research was quantitative in approach, and descriptive in design. Using simple random and available sampling techniques, 135 first-year social science students enrolled in the Communicative Skills course were chosen from three sections to participate in the study. The survey of reading strategies (SORS) of Sheorey and Mokhtari (2002) was used to gather data from the participant students. To determine what reading strategies participants employed, the frequency distribution of their responses to each of the three categories of the SORS—global, problem-solving, and supportive reading strategies was calculated via the descriptive statistics such as frequency counting, mean value and standard deviation of their reading strategy use. The results were used to indicate whether a learner is a low, medium, or high reading strategy user. The findings of the study revealed that Wollo University social science first year students can be categorized as medium strategy users. As the most striking strategy, subjects reread to increase their understanding when they face difficult text. As a least preferred strategy, however, participants reported to use reading aloud when the text is hard. Moreover, results of the study revealed that participants reported to adopt reading strategies in academic texts at the frequency level of the high usage of problem-solving strategies, followed by medium usage of support and global reading strategies. Based on the findings, it was recommended that awareness raising should be made to make students' use of support and global reading strategies at higher frequency.

Political Narratives and their Impact on Amhara People

Shumet Amare, Mengistu Alamineh — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The objective of the article is to examine how competing political narratives regarding the formation of the Ethiopian state pose a threat to the Amhara people. to To this end, the article argues that the political discourses (narratives) determine Ethiopia's ethnic-based state structure and politics that dichotomizes citizens as advantageous and nonadvantageous, which is not viable. The article utilized a qualitative research design as its methodology. To gather relevant information, the study relied on both primary and secondary data sources. Based on the implications of the political narratives, the study discovered unreasonable constraints on the rights of the Amhara people, both individually and collectively.

Security Implications of Ethiopia's and Kenya's Military Interventions in post-1991 Somalia: A Regional Analysis

Tadie Degie, Kidane Mengisteab — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

This article examines the security implications of Ethiopia's and Kenya's military interventions post-1991 Somalia, focusing on the regional dynamics and consequences of their actions. The study is divided into two main sections, discussing the interventions of Ethiopia and Kenya separately and then analyzing the overall impact on the region. In doing so, the article employed a comprehensive approach that considers the historical, political, and security dynamics of the region. Besides, theoretically, it used a combination of realism and constructivism. Ethiopia's intervention in Somalia (2006–2009) was driven by a securitization process within the country, which viewed the conflict in Somalia and the role of the Union of Islamic Courts (UIC) as a threat to Ethiopian state security. The intervention helped tighten the Ethiopian government's authority and consolidate its state model with the backing of international society. The consequences of the securitization of the "external" conflict in Somalia also extended to "internal" conflicts within Ethiopia. Kenya's intervention in Somalia (2011) was motivated by a series of factors, including national security concerns, the deteriorating situation in the northern pastoralist regions of Kenya, and the personal economic and political interests of senior Kenyan politicians and soldiers from Northeastern Province's Ogadeni Somali community. The operation was partly contemplated by elements of the Kenyan military as early as 2009. The intervention has had both short- and long-term objectives, but its success is uncertain, and it may have unanticipated costs and complications that undermine short-term gains and weaken domestic and regional support. The overall impact of Ethiopia's and Kenya's military interventions in Somalia on regional security is complex and multifaceted. The interventions have contributed to the fragmentation of Somalia and the emergence of new security challenges in the Horn of Africa. The actions of Ethiopia and Kenya have also complicated the election process in Somalia and intensified old tensions within the region. Furthermore, the involvement of these countries in Somalia has created a complex security dynamic, where their military presence has both supported and complicated the transition process in Somalia.

Key Security Challenges in the ‘Horn of Africa’ and Pragmatic Peace Building Strategy Theories for Remedies

Tamirat Cheru — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The ‘Horn of Africa’ that broadly represents the state of Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Somalia, South-Sudan and Sudan is characterized by pluralism in terms of ethnic and religious lines. The region is typically marked by a history of common problems such as political instability and anarchism filled with insecurity, repression, violence and human rights violation. It is also an area of the world whose strategic location has driven it into the international arena as a potential crisis zone. It is the most volatile and conflict-ridden region that encounters both intra-state and inter-state conflicts as well as global peace and security threats over times. The aim of this study was to assess the key security challenges of the ‘Horn of Africa’ and to provide pragmatic peace building strategy theories that aim to support peace and security outcome in the region. In doing so, a documentary research with analytical qualitative research approach was employed. The study found that the ‘Horn of Africa’ is commonly characterized by underdevelopment, famine and poverty; protracted inter-state and intra-state disputes over boarders; civil war; violence; liberation and secessionist struggle; coup d’état and insurrections; environmental decay; and human rights violations. Thus, appropriate pragmatic peace building theories such as the neo-realist security approach; the critical security studies; the Copenhagen school of societal securitization approach; security in the Third World context: a subaltern realist security approach; and the environmental security approach are critically analyzed and suggested as a solution for the existing peace and security challenges of the region. In a nutshell, the study will be indispensable for academicians, researchers, practitioners, politicians and policy makers since it offers insights about the existing security dilemmas in the region and those pragmatic peace building strategy theories that can be utilized as a remedy by those concerned peace actors of the region in general, and the respective states in particular.

Multidimensional Poverty Dynamics and its Determinants in Peri-Urban Areas of Amhara National Regional State: Evidence from Dessie, Kombolcha and Kemise Towns

Zelalem Gebeyehu — Tue, 18 Jun 2024 00:00:00 +0000

The access to affordable and adequate housing and land in peri-urban areas of the Amhara National Regional State of Ethiopia has become a pressing issue, leading to illegal land sales and displacement of peri-urban farm households. This study aims to assess the state of multidimensional poverty dynamics and its determinants in peri-urban areas, specifically in Dessie, Kombolcha, and Kemise towns. A total of 384 households were surveyed for this study, with an equal division between those who were displaced through compensation and those who were displaced through the unauthorized sale of land. This study examines the extent of multidimensional poverty among peri-urban farm households using the multidimensional poverty index. Two limit Tobit models were employed to identify the factors that contribute to poverty in the study area. The decomposition results of the multidimensional poverty index indicate that households who were displaced through compensation were multidimensionally poor compared to those who were displaced through the unauthorized sale of land. Moreover, results of the two-limit Tobit model revealed that family size, access to job opportunities, regular household income, landholding size, access to remittance, and access to credit were the major factors that determine poverty for peri-urban farm households displaced through compensation in the study area. To address this issue, the government should allow private ownership of land, enabling farmers to sell their land at market value and potentially reducing multidimensional poverty and improving their living standards. Additionally, the government should strive to create job opportunities for peri-urban farm households by providing support for their engagement in various urban farming activities.