This study was conducted to examine the determinants of diversification of livelihoods to investigate the degree of diversification of households’ livelihoods in Assosa wereda, Benshangul Gumuz Regional State, in western Ethiopia. A total of 320 sample rural households were selected by using systematic sampling technique from four kebeles. Both qualitative and quantitative data collected through a structured questionnaire, key informant interview, focus group discussions and observation. The data were analyzed using descriptive statistical tools, the multinomial logit regression model, and Simpson Diversification Index. The result of the study show, of the 14 determinants of diversification of livelihoods identified: level of education, dependency ratio, access to irrigation, and household urban linkage were significant predictors of diversification of livelihoods. Whereas household age and sex, road distance, credit access, and household media access were insignificant predictors of diversification of livelihoods. Meanwhile, land hold size, livestock holding size in Tropical Livestock Unit, extension contact, cooperative member and total household income couldn’t have any association with household diversification of livelihoods in real conditions on the ground. Ultimately, the Simpson Diversity Index result showed that there was no diversification rather than "specialization" in livelihood. The study therefore urges more diversification opportunities in poverty alleviation and development.

Taye A, Megento TL. 2017. The role of indigenous knowledge and practice on water and soil conservation management in Albuko Woreda, Ethiopia. Bonorowo Wetlands 7: 95-107. The objectives of this study were to assess various aspects of indigenous knowledge and practice in water and soil conservation measures introduced in Albuko Woreda/district, South Wollo, Ethiopia, and investigate how farmers have adopted indigenous soil and water conservation measures. This study also aimed to examine farmers' views on land degradation and assess their adoption behavior of soil and water conservation knowledge. The data for the study originated mainly from farmers in the study area. Structured questionnaire survey and focus group discussion methods were applied to collect the necessary information from farm households. A total of 140 heads of families were questioned. The received data was analyzed using descriptive statistics and quantitative and qualitative data analysis. Even though some soil and water conservation methods were introduced to combat land degradation in Ethiopia, adopting these practices remains below expectations. Most farmers preferred soil (stone) bund, water diversion ditch and contour ploughing for soil and water conservation, crop rotation, and mixed cropping for soil fertility amendment measures instead of traditional cutoff drain and fallowing. Farmers faced several constraints in adopting soil and water conservation measures. The main problems related to conservation structures include the source of pests, inconveniency during ox ploughing, reduction of farmland, labor intensiveness, difficulty in implementation, and costliness. In contrast, farmers were knowledgeable about various indigenous soil and water conservation measures but implemented only some of them. They understand the effects of erosion on crop productivity. Finally, farmers need to be trained on the impact of soil erosion and available conservation measures. Information on the ineffectiveness of some traditional conservation measures has to be disseminated among farmers.

Public transport service in Addis Ababa is provided by both public and private operators. However, the inability of the public sector to meet the increasing transport demand has given rise to the emergence of privately owned paratransit transport services. The minibus taxi sector is the dominant public transport mode which provides a means of mobility for the majority of the city’s residents. However, the service provided by the sector is still far from being efficient and has a lot of operational constraints. But, various attempts have been made by the city’s transport authority to improve service provision in the city. Thus, to carry out this study, both primary and secondary data were used. Instruments like questionnaires, interviews, as well as observation were intensively employed. Finally, the Arada sub-city was selected purposively to execute the study as it is the hub for 9 taxi terminals with 25 routes radiating into several directions of the city. A total of 50 minibus taxi drivers were selected using the convenience sampling method. Results of the study revealed that the presence of complex owner-driver relations, customary operational practices, and poor institutional organization of owners’ associations as well as inefficient regulation creates unpleasant work situations and hence profoundly affected service delivery. In addition, the study found that all of these situations are threatening the sustainability of the sector as most vehicle owners have less interest in staying in the business.