Determinants of improved cookstove adoption and its benefits in Ethiopia.

BackgroundBiomass is the most dominant source of energy for both food cooking and lighting in rural parts of Ethiopia. Energy conversions are carried out in open fires using inefficient traditional stoves, results in poor quality of life due to smoking-related health outcomes, and consume a large quantity of wood. This resulted in increased costs of health and cutting trees which facilities climate change. To change the situation, improved cooking stoves (ICS) have been introduced through youth cooperatives in the study area.Objective The study examined the major sources of energy for the rural households, evaluate the health and related benefits of using improved cook stove and assessing the determinants for its adoption.MethodData were collected from 344 households using a questionnaire in supplement with interview schedule. The collected data were analyzed using both descriptive and econometric models.ResultsThe findings of the study showed that only 22.97% of the respondents adopted the ICS whereas the vast majority (67.03%) still rely on traditional stoves that are highly inefficient. The positive and significant variables in predicting the adoption of ICS were the educational level of household head (OR 1.23; CI at 95% 0.029-0.040), access to ICS (OR 5.88; CI at 95% 1.05-2.48), affordability (OR 2.31; CI at 95% 0.11-1.56) and demonstration about the stove (OR 6.74; CI at 95% 1.13-2.68). Family size (OR 0.74; CI at 95% -0.45-0.12) and Availability of firewood (OR 0.27; CI at 95% -2.00-.56) significantly and negatively affected the adoption of the ICS.ConclusionsLow adoption levels of ICS were found in the study area. This has been triggered by socio-economic, institutional, financial, and resource endowments. Therefore, it is recommended that increasing access to improved stoves, diversifying income sources, creating awareness about ICS health benefits, climate changes, and providing reasonable prices will facilitate its adoption.

Greening work: labor market policies for the environment

Jobs are essential for social inclusion, raising taxes, and guaranteeing the financial resilience of (welfare) states. At the same time, the Sustainable Development Goals, the Paris Agreement, and the European Green Deal require the greening of our economies and labor markets. This paper assesses how labor market policies can green employment. The paper analyses the potential effects of eight different policy strategies on four dimensions of the Taxonomy of Sustainable Employment: conversion of plants and businesses, environmental labor law, climate decommodification, socio-ecological job guarantee, vocational guidance and retraining, distribution of employment time, alternative income sources, and equalization of income. All eight strategies have the potential of greening employment but feature different intensities in the four dimensions. In the light of environmental crises, the results suggest widening the toolbox of labor market policies for a green and just transition.

Alabio ducks, germplasms of South Kalimantan, as protein and income sources

Apart from providing food originating from meat and eggs, Alabio ducks have another important role for farmers in South Kalimantan, namely as an income source, employment source, and preservation of local genetic source. This paper aimed to study the economic profile of Alabio ducks in several types of businesses in Hulu Sungai Utara Regency, South Kalimantan. A survey method was carried out on several groups of duck farmers. In order to obtain more in-depth information, a focus group discussion (FGD) was held with key insiders in the duck industry. The results showed that the duck farming business has good prospects and can be a source of income and employment for farmers and young generations. The business of hatchery, slaughter-duck producers, hatching egg producers, and consumes-egg producers, is economically feasible. Improving bio-security and handling and managing environmental sanitation have to carry out, among others, through pens, equipment, and environmental disinfection, as well as routine vaccinations with the escort and support of local and central government. In addition, to increase the welfare and income of farmers need to introduce technological innovations that can increase farming efficiency.

Rural Livelihood Activities

Rural households are found to depend on diverse portfolio of activities and income sources. This study sought to explore the diverse livelihood activities of rural households in Awra Amba Community. Both qualitative and quantitative methodologies were used to collect data. Content analysis method was used to analyze the data. The results of the study revealed that almost all members (94%) of Awra Amba community are depending on non-farm activities because of the scarcity of land. As a result, they are dominantly weavers (86%) and the rest are traders. The results of the study indicated that weaving is their major source of livelihood and a backbone for their survival.

THE GROSS DIRECT PREMIUM INCOME UNDER GENERAL AND HEALTH INSURANCE: A SEGMENT – WISE ANALYSIS OF INDIAN PUBLIC SECTOR INSURERS

Insurance business is broadly classified under the two heads – Life Insurance and General Insurance. Life Insurance Corporation of India (LICI) and General Insurance Corporation of India (GICI) are the key players in the public sector. The Indian insurance market consists of many private players as well. The gross direct premium has been the income sources for the insurance business. This study shall highlight the gross direct premium income specifically under the General and Health insurance business of the Indian public sector insurers.

Drivers and Barriers towards Social Farming: A Systematic Review

Social farming (SF) spread across Europe in recent decades. It represents an expression of agriculture diversification and performs a social function expressed through vulnerable individuals’ social inclusion. As a result, SF is able to generate positive externalities and thus contribute to social wellbeing. Despite benefits, SF faces several issues related to its dissemination. Although in recent years scholars have been approaching this topic, much remains to be researched. Therefore, the purpose of this study was to investigate, through a systematic review, drivers and barriers related to the spread of this phenomenon. Results showed that factors such as the lack of information on SF, farmers’ mental limitations and the lack of economic resources, as well as excessive bureaucratization, could hamper the spread of SF. On the other hand, ethical production, new income sources, sustainable rural development and new employment opportunities can encourage the dissemination of such practices. In order to overcome the barriers and emphasize the drivers pointed out by this study, the role of policymakers is essential, as they should promote information and training activities for farmers and consumers in order to increase awareness of SF social value and encourage a collective approach to SF practices.

Factor Analysis about Indonesian Students’ Motivations to Study in China Based on Push-Pull Theory

Based on the push-pull model, the study is aimed at testing 116 China (Jiangsu Province) overseas students’ travel motivations with the methods of factor analysis，ANOVA analysis, and independent t -test to explain internal and external factors, which influence overseas students’ travel decision, and further improve overseas students travel market. The results show that leisure and relaxation, togetherness and socialization, and knowledge and culture are top three push factors, while special festivals, historical sites, and financial budgets are top three pull factors. Among sociodemographic factors, gender differences, lengths of visit in China, and main income sources have significant differences in overseas students travel decisions. With “One belt, one road” initiative, travel industries should precisely understand overseas students traveling preferences, explore travelling market layout to balance economic benefits and cultural transmission, and develop overseas students’ traveling destination groups.

Marketing and Value Addition of Artemisia Annua Species and Other Potential Medicinal Plants in Southern Ethiopia

Background: Medicinal plants play a pivotal role in the traditional medicine system in Ethiopia. Since the outbreak of the COVID-19 pandemic, domestic demand for medicinal plants has increased, particularly for Artemisia annua species. However, coupled with the secrecy nature in medicinal plant utilization, knowledge regarding marketing and value addition of medicinal plants is lacking in the literature. The objective of the present market study was to investigate the marketing and value addition of Artemisia annua and other major medicinal plants in selected towns of Southern Ethiopia. Methodology: Primary data were collected using questionnaire, focus group discussions, and personal observations with producers and traders. Marketing benefits of the potential medicinal plants were captured by total return and marketing margins. Result: The major medicinal plants in Chencha area were Artemisia annua, Stevia rebaudiana, and Silybum marianum, Echinops kebericho and Silene macrosolen Steud are widely used in Tula and Hawassa; Ocimum tenuiflorum and Ruta graveolens were found in Basha area, while Zehneria scabra was found in Chencha and Basha. The above-mentioned medicinal plants are used to treat various illnesses, while generating income to the local communities. The marketing or profit margins of the value-added products indicated a share of 28.6%, 14.36%, 14.31%, and 42.73% for producers, local collectors, and traders in Arbaminch and Addis Ababa, respectively. Conclusion: Up scaling the cultivation and commercialization of these medicinal plants has the potential to maintain the public health while providing alternative income sources for local communities in Ethiopia. In an effort to capture local value addition of medicinal plants, processing materials, market outlets, and road infrastructures should be improved.

A QUALITATIVE CONTENT ANALYSIS OF THE DEVELOPERS’ PERSPECTIVES ON DEVELOPMENT CHARGES

The conversion of land, increment of plot ratios or density that increases the land value often comes with a development charge. While the local governments view the development charge as one of their income sources for providing utilities to the society, property developers’ communities still contend that the charge surges development uncertainty. Moreover, the existing empirical studies of the implementation of development charges in Malaysia are limited since lack of developers’ views regarding this matter. Through semi structured interviews among the property developers, this paper had explored the property developers’ perspectives on the implementation of development charges in Malaysia. Data from the interviews were analysed using content analysis techniques. Findings from the analysis revealed that the effect it has on property developers seems to have increased the developers’ uncertainties, especially on the cost of property development. This paper provides new insights for future research in the study of relevant approaches to improve the efficiency of the development charge and the effect it has on the developer’s uncertainty.