Agro-economics

Role of Forest Ecosystems in Climate Regulation and Disaster Risk Reduction in Dawro Zone, South West Ethiopia

Wed, 04 Feb 2026 00:00:00 GMT

Role of Forest Ecosystems in Climate Regulation and Disaster Risk Reduction in Dawro Zone, South West Ethiopia Difabachew, Endale Forest ecosystems play a critical role in climate regulation and disaster risk reduction (DRR), particularly in mountainous regions that are highly vulnerable to climate-induced hazards. This study evaluates the contribution of forest ecosystems to carbon sequestration, microclimate regulation, and mitigation of foods and landslides in Dawro Zone, South West Ethiopia. A mixed methods approach was employed, integrating multitemporal remote sensing analysis (2000–2020), feld-based forest biomass and carbon stock assessment, microclimate monitoring, and socioinstitutional surveys. Forest cover change was analyzed using Landsat imagery, achieving an overall classifcation accuracy of 89.3% (κ = 0.86). Aboveground biomass was estimated using the Brown (1997) allometric equation, and carbon stocks were derived using a carbon fraction of 0.47 with associated uncertainty estimates. Results indicate that natural moist forests store signifcantly higher carbon stocks (84.84 ± 8.79 t C ha−1 ) than plantation forests (65.94 ± 7.14 t C ha−1 ), agroforestry systems (46.34 ± 5.36 t C ha−1 ), and degraded forests (35.44 ± 4.51 t C ha−1 ). Micro climate observations show that intact forests reduce air temperature by up to 7.2°C, enhance relative humidity, and increase soil moisture compared to degraded landscapes. Spatial and statistical analyses reveal a strong inverse relationship between forest cover and disaster occurrence, with higher forested areas experiencing signifcantly fewer food and landslide events (r = −0.87 for foods; r = −0.81 for landslides; p <0.01). Remote sensing results further indicate a 27.6% decline in natural forest cover between 2000 and 2020, largely driven by agricultural expansion. Community surveys show high local awareness of forest-based climate and disaster bufering functions, while institutional analysis reveals gaps in coordination between forestry and disaster management sectors. The study concludes that forest ecosystems in Dawro Zone function as natural infrastructure for climate regulation and DRR. Integrating forest conservation, restoration, and ecosystem-based disaster risk reduction (Eco-DRR) into regional devel opment and climate adaptation policies is essential for enhancing landscape resilience and sustaining ecosystem services.

Determinants of Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) Producers Market Outlet Choices in the Case of Sekela District, West Gojjam Zone, Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia

Sun, 13 Jan 2019 00:00:00 GMT

Determinants of Potato (Solanum Tuberosum L.) Producers Market Outlet Choices in the Case of Sekela District, West Gojjam Zone, Amhara National Regional State, Ethiopia Tilahun, Yaregal Market choice for smallholder potato producers is mandatory, since potato is perishable horticultural crop and more demanded by the society. The objective of this study was to identify determinants of producers’ market outlet choice of potato in Sekela woreda, Ethiopia. Primary data was collected from 130 producers using structured questionnaire. For the marketing of potato, 39.4, 84.8, 87.6 and 43.2 of the respondents mainly choose wholesalers, retailer, end consumer and processor respectively. The result of multivariate probit model results indicated that experience in potato production, distance to nearest market, land allocated for potato production, quantity of potato supplied to market, frequency of extension contact and amount of credit taken significantly influenced market outlet choice for potato producers. The government and the concerned stakeholders need invest in rural infrastructure in order to reduce high transport cost incurred by the farmer and develop market access and linkages, improve land management practices, promoting the formation of potato marketing group in order to promote knowledge dissemination, improve farmers bargaining power, strengthening improved seed access and strengthening extension and credit service to improve the income of the farmers through selecting the best outlet.

To Review the Impact and Copping Strategies of Climate Change in Developing Countries

Tue, 03 Dec 2019 00:00:00 GMT

To Review the Impact and Copping Strategies of Climate Change in Developing Countries Tilahun, Yaregal Rapid change in climate is set to alter the delicate balance that exists between man and nature. The literature to this effect points out that the poorest countries and communities are likely to suffer the most because of their geographic locations, low income and low institutional capacity, as well as their greater reliance on climate- sensitive sectors like agriculture. Even if climate mitigations plans are implemented properly there will be some degree of warming due to inertia of emissions already released. As such, there is a strong consensus about the need of adaptation to changing climatic conditions. Adaptation to climate change is given increasing international attention as the confidence in climate change projections is getting higher. Developing countries have specific needs for adaptation due to high vulnerabilities, and they will in this way carry a great part of the global costs of climate change although the rising atmospheric greenhouse gas concentrations are mainly the responsibility of industrialized countries. Adaptation is believed to enhance the resilience against increasing climate variability. In this backdrop, the objective of the present paper is, therefore, to systematically and critically review the existing literature on the impacts of climate change and choice of adaptations across countries and draw insights for suggesting a comprehensive policy framework particularly for developing countries in this regard. The paper finds that the role of government and civil society is crucial for enabling efficient adaptation methods. Development policies and programs having synergy effect with climate change initiatives help adapt with the changing climate better. However, the availability of clean technology in developing countries will play the decisive role in controlling their growth rate of emission.

Assessment of challenges of Crop Production and Marketing in Bench-Sheko, Kaffa, Sheka, and West-Omo Zones of Southwest Ethiopia

Mon, 10 May 2021 00:00:00 GMT

Assessment of challenges of Crop Production and Marketing in Bench-Sheko, Kaffa, Sheka, and West-Omo Zones of Southwest Ethiopia Tadesse, Biniam; Tilahun, Yaregal; Bekele, Tilahun This study was conducted to identify the challenges of crop production and marketing in13 southwest Ethiopia. Primary and secondary sources of data were used. Qualitative and14 Quantitative data types were collected from 385 respondents through interviews, focus group15 discussion, key informant interviews, and observations. The collected data were analyzed by16 using descriptive statistics and econometric models. Crop productivity was analyzed by the Cobb17 Douglas model and its efficiency and determinants were identified by the stochastic frontier18 model. The major bottlenecks of crop production were the low attitude of farmers towards19 improved technology, low supply and usage of improved seed varieties (94.5%), low supply and20 use of fertilizers (95%), knowledge and skill gap of farmers (80.1%), poor extension service21 (57.3%), soil acidity (94.8%), diseases and insect pest(77.8%), conflict(84.9%) and the outbreak22 of human diseases(60%). Marketing challenges were poor infrastructure (87.3%), lack of market23 linkage (62.5%), and lack of credit services (70.6%). The Cobb Douglas model result revealed24 that land size, local seed, improved seed, repetition of weeding, and labor force influenced crop25 productivity. The mean level of crop technical efficiency was 51.3%. Education level, extension26 service, access to credit, cooperative membership, number of livestock owned, and soil fertility27 were influenced crop inefficiency negatively and distance to the farm was positively related to28 technical inefficiency. Improving extension services and skill of farmers through practical based29 training and building capacity of extension workers and systems to enhance the attitude of30 farmers towards technology usage and proper management practices, timely provision of farm