Variability and time series trend analysis of temperature over 1981-2018 in semi-arid Borana zone, southern Ethiopia

BackgroundUnderstanding the climate variability at local scale could help suggest local adaptation responses to manage climate driven impacts. This paper analyzed the variability and trends of temperature over the period 1981-2018 in semi-arid Borana zone of southern Ethiopia using Mann-Kendall (MK) test and inverse distance weighted (IDW) interpolation technique. Gridded (4 km * 4 km) daily temperature data was used to study variability at temporal and spatial scales. ResultsThe results revealed that monthly temperature shows a warming trend where February was the warmest month for both maximum and minimum temperature. Seasonally, the highest maximum and minimum temperatures were observed during Bega. Minimum temperature shows a warming trend during all seasons unlike maximum temperature. Both minimum and maximum temperature shows not significant warming trend at annual timescale. The later decades (20012018) have shown a warming trend compared to a period ahead especially for minimum temperature. The southwestern and southeastern areas across the zone were warmer than any other areas in the region during the studied period. ConclusionTemperature shows variability at shorter than longer timescales. There is a pronounced warming trend for minimum than maximum temperature. Warming condition advances from the northcentral parts towards the southwestern and southeastern areas. Internal variability was observed at temporal and spatial scales and therefore any adaptation responses to local climate variability should consider the microscale climate.

Milk Market Performances and cofounding factors along Milk Value Chain in Pastoral Area: A Case of Borana Pastoralists, Borana Zone, Ethiopia

The study was conducted in Borana zone with the objectives understanding the milk market performance and challenges along the value chain. The primary data was collected from 123 households that drawn proportionally following multistage sampling based randomly selected households. Additionally, relevant information was collected from different sectors besides relevant literatures session. Similarly, Focused Group Discussions, key informant interview and visual observations were also undertaken to collect the primary data. In the course of data collection, different set of checklists were used for different group of actors to guide survey data collection, group discussions and key informant interview. The study found that input supply, natural calamity, marketing system, declining of livestock productivity, infrastructure and hygiene are among the major challenges along the dairy value chain. Above all, the dominance of value chain actors by pastoralists coupled with fragmented milk marketing system were the critical factors that stunted the milk market system in the study area. As a result, the performance of milk value chain is fragmented and distorted. Moreover, the supply of milk to the market become meager even though the milk selling practices has been flamed. Additionally, the dilution of pure drought resistant Borana cattle called “Qorti” is at its critical level of its extinction which challenge the milk production. Thus, it is important to enhance the milk marketing, encouraging milk supply and improving milk productivity.

Seroprevalence and Public Health Significance of Toxoplasmosis in Small Ruminants of Pastoral Community in Yabello District, Borana Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Toxoplasmosis is a zoonotic protozoan disease. Data on seroepidemiology of toxoplasmosis in Ethiopia is scarce, almost null in the pastoral area of the Borana zone. The study was carried out to determine the seroprevalence, to identify risk factors of toxoplasmosis in sheep and goats, and to assess the awareness level of pastoralists about toxoplasmosis in the Yabello district of Borana zone, Southern Ethiopia. A cross-sectional study was conducted from November 2016 to April 2017 in six peasant associations of the Yabello district of Borana zone, Southern Ethiopia. A total of 400 serum samples of randomly selected small ruminants owned by pastoralists were examined to detect antibodies specific to Toxoplasma gondii using Latex Agglutination Test (SPINREACT, Girona, Spain). A semistructured questionnaire survey was used to conduct a face-to-face interview with owners (n = 100) of sampled flocks. Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the association of hypothesized risk factors. The overall seroprevalence was 52.8% of which 57.8 and 47.8% were sheep and goats, respectively. Univariate logistic regression analysis revealed a higher seroprevalence ratio of T. gondii infection in sheep than goats (COR: 1.95, 95% CI: 1.226–3.112; P = 0.005). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated significantly higher odds of acquiring T. gondii infection in adult animals (sheep: (AOR = 2.26, 95% CI: 1.323–3.874; P = 0.003), goats: (AOR = 2.15; 95% CI: 1.009–4.579; P = 0.047)), female sheep (AOR = 2.45; CI: 1.313–4.568; P = 0.005), animals from lowland areas (sheep: (AOR = 2.28; CI: 1.190–4.356; P = 0.013), goat: (AOR = 3.27; CI: 1.386–7.723; P = 0.007)), animal drinking lake water (sheep: (AOR = 1.93; CI: 1.011–3.698; P = 0.046), goat: (AOR = 2.96; CI: 1.297–6.771; P = 0.010)), and goats with history of abortion (AOR = 2.42; CI: 1.242–4.711; P = 0.009) than young animals, male (sheep), animals from midland areas, animals drinking wells water, and flock with no history of abortion (goat), respectively. Among respondents, 97.0% had no knowledge about toxoplasmosis and 75.0% drink raw milk and consume the meat of sheep and goats. 80.0% of respondents had no knowledge about the risk of cats to human and animal health while 70.0% of them had domestic cats and practice improper fetal body handling. Highly prevailing toxoplasmosis in small ruminants of the Yabello district might pose a serious economic loss and be a potential public health threat to the extremely vulnerable pastoralists. Therefore, awareness and further studies are warranted to tackle the economic and public health consequences of T. gondii infection.

Indigenous Environmental Knowledge of Borana Pastoralists

This paper investigated the indigenous environmental knowledge (IEK) of Borana pastoralists in Dhas district of Borana zone in Southern Ethiopia. To select participants for key informant interview and focus group discussion (FGD), snowball sampling was used to pinpoint people who have IEK of Borana pastoralists. Results show that the customary practices of Borana pastoralists that linked to multi-dimensional natural resources management (NRM) include the taxonomy of pastureland and water resources instituted on the season of utility and gazing dimensions, range scouts, herd splitting, cattle mobility, herd diversification, and bush burning. However, currently owing to various factors the IEKs of Borana pastoralists have been facing threatening challenges that question their existence. The study incorporated the capitalization on the customary institutions that advance the IEK and cattle productivity finally improving the livelihoods of the Borana pastoralists. This research intends to help various stakeholders, predominantly pastoralist development office, ecologists and other development partners in a bid to develop Borana pastoralists, to boost their sustainability, and to promote sustainable NRM.

Socio-economic profile of arid and semi-arid agropastoral region of Borana rangeland Southern, Ethiopia

Ethiopia is believed to have the largest livestock population in Africa. This livestock sector has been contributing considerable portion to the economy of the country and Borana zone is the major contributor for this. The main objectives of the study were to make basic information regarding natural features and socio-economic conditions of the zone that serve or stepping ground for planning policy making and research. This data is crucial for designing proper development plan for research activities and decision making. Specifically, the 2019 socio -economic profile was conducted to provide basic information for the 2020 national election purpose and for 2021 population and housing census as preliminary document regarding socio-economic condition of the zone. And also, this socio-economic profile is used to enhance tourism and economic development, identifying under used services (or opportunities for shared services, forecasting problem areas, developing local community profiles and better land use planning. In organizing this document, the serious problems were the absence of reliable data and up to date data and information. The document being the first of its kind gives a general clue about the zone and accordingly could be used as a bench mark for further study about the zone.