Diversifying the sources of livelihood for subsistence farmers beyond agriculture plays a significant role in reducing poverty as well as withstanding the adverse impacts of climate change. A cross-sectional survey research design has been employed to examine the factors which determine the participation of rainfed-dependent smallholder farmers in non-farm activities using a mixed methods approach. Data were obtained from 384 randomly selected households in the Woleka sub-basin of Ethiopia. Data were collected using survey questionnaires and interviews were analyzed using mean, percentage, chi-square test, t-test, one-way ANOVA, binary logistic regression model and thematic analysis. Access to adequate capital, poor infrastructure and lack of training are the major constraints which hindered farmers from undertaking non-farm activities. The regression model result revealed that several factors determine the propensity of smallholder farmers’ participation to non-farm activities. Better-off households, households led by literate and younger heads, having access to microfinance, having extension services, and having social responsibilities create engagement in non-farm economic activities. We argue that strengthening agricultural extension services, providing microfinance, entrepreneurial training and skill development, and infrastructure development would enhance the participation of smallholder farmers in non-farm activities. To achieve this, policy makers and other stakeholders need to integrate non-farm livelihood strategies into rural farming economies.

Due to its climate-sensitive agricultural system and low adaptive capacity of the subsistence farmers, Ethiopia is cited among the countries experiencing frequent drought and highly vulnerable to climate change associated impacts. Micro level vulnerability assessment, in the context of a changing climate, has a paramount significance in designing policies addressing climate change induced effects. Assessing vulnerability to climate change is important for defining the risks posed by the change and it provides a starting point for the determination of effective means of promoting remedial actions to minimize impacts by supporting coping strategies and facilitating adaptation options targeted at specific context. We employed cross-sectional survey research design has to examine the extent of livelihood vulnerability of 384 randomly selected smallholder farmers from three agroecologies which was supplemented by interviews. Livelihood vulnerability index, using integrated indicator approaches and principal component analysis, has been used. Chi-square test, F-test and t-test were used to examine association and mean differences among three agroecologies and between cropping types in terms of different attributes. Overall, smallholder farmers living in kolla agroecology were found to be the most vulnerable to climate change induced hazards followed by dega. In terms of type of cropping season, belg dominated areas were relatively more vulnerable than those residing in meher dominated areas. Different biophysical and socio-economic attributes contributed their own role both for exposure, sensitivity and adaptive capacity differences among smallholder farmers farming in different agroecologies and different types of cropping seasons. We recommend that interventions undertaken to lessen the impact of climate change should be targeted to the factors which contribute to high extent of sensitivity and for those which could enhance the adaptive capacity of smallholder farmers. Specifically, we suggest that resilience-building adaptation interventions like expansion of small-scale irrigation, accessing of microfinance service, early warning and timely information, extension support, non-farm sources of income, training and skill development, expansion of infrastructure have to be promoted thereby increase the adaptive capacity of subsistence rainfed-dependent farmers to withstand the vagaries of the climate variability risk. Moreover, disparities in the same agroecology have to be addressed properly in livelihood vulnerability discourse.

Introduction: The widespread use of the internet has brought numerous benefits, but it has also raised concerns about its potential negative impact on mental health, particularly among university students. This study aims to investigate the relationship between internet addiction and mental health in university students, as well as explore the mediating effects of emotional intelligence in this relationship. Objective: The main objective of this study was to examine whether internet addiction (dimensions and total) negatively predicts the mental health of university students, with emotional intelligence acting as a mediator. Methods: To address this objective, a cross-sectional design with an inferential approach was employed. Data were collected using the Wong Law Emotional Intelligence Scale (WLEIS-S), Internet Addiction Scale (IAS), and Keyes’ Mental Health Continuum-Short Form (MHC-SF). The total sample consisted of 850 students from two large public higher education institutions in Ethiopia, of which 334 (39.3%) were females and 516 (60.7%) were males, with a mean age of 22.32 (SD = 4.04). For the purpose of the study, the data were split into two randomly selected groups: sample 1 with 300 participants for psychometric testing purposes, and sample 2 with 550 participants for complex mediation purposes. Various analyses were conducted to achieve the stated objectives, including Cronbach’s alpha and composite reliabilities, bivariate correlation, discriminant validity, common method biases, measurement invariance, and structural equation modeling (confirmatory factor analysis, path analysis, and mediation analysis). Confirmatory factor analysis was performed to assess the construct validity of the WLEIS-S, IAS, and MHC-SF. Additionally, a mediating model was examined using structural equation modeling with the corrected biased bootstrap method. Results: The results revealed that internet addiction had a negative and direct effect on emotional intelligence (β = –0.180, 95%CI [–0.257, –0.103], p = 0.001) and mental health (β = –0.204, 95%CI [–0.273, –0.134], p = 0.001). Also, Internet Craving and Internet obsession negatively predicted EI (β = –0.324, 95%CI [–0.423, –0.224], p = 0.002) and MH (β = –0.167, 95%CI [–0.260, –0.069], p = 0.009), respectively. However, EI had a significant and positive direct effect on mental health (β = 0.494, 95%CI [0.390, 0.589], p = 0.001). Finally, EI fully mediated the relationship between internet addiction and mental health (β = –0.089, 95%CI [–0.136, –0.049], p = 0.001). Besides The study also confirmed that all the scales had strong internal consistency and good psychometric properties. Conclusion: This study contributes to a better understanding of the complex interplay between internet addiction, emotional intelligence, and mental health among university students. The findings highlight the detrimental effects of internet addiction on mental health, and the crucial mediating role of emotional intelligence. Recommendations: The findings discussed in relation to recent literature have practical implications for practitioners and researchers aiming to enhance mental health and reduce internet addiction among university students. Emotional intelligence can be utilized as a positive resource in interventions and programs targeting these issues.

Introduction: Prosopis juliflora has posed a severe threat to human and animal life in arid and semi-arid areas of the world. Thus, this review intends to shed light on the potential use of Prosopis as a helpful resource and feasible management system.Methods: This research employs a systematic review methodology.Results: The review revealed that the species had been introduced to overcome deforestation and desertification. Prosopis juliflora has had different socioeconomic and environmental impacts on local communities. The most widely cited adverse impacts include out-competing native species and quickly reducing forage plants, being a harbour for predators, health problems and death of domestic animals, and being an ideal ground for mosquito breeding. On the other hand, the species provides multiple ecosystem services like the provision of construction materials, animal feed and charcoal; plays a role in soil conservation and rehabilitation of degraded and saline soils, good sources of nectar for honey production; contributes to reducing dust pollution; enhances carbon sequestration, and have medicinal value due to its antifungal and antibacterial features. The local community’s attitude regarding the species is mixed.Discussion: The consequent negative impacts are increasing quickly, making the urgent need to develop robust and practical management strategies necessary to both mitigate the adverse effects and fully use the benefits. Commercialization (with a notion of management through utilization) is a feasible way to minimize expansion. Cross-boundary endeavours for controlling Prosopis juliflora expansion to new regions, particularly in countries predicted as edges of high potential invasion, are required to manage the species invasion efficiently.

Introduction: One feasible way to prepare for the adverse effects of climate change in rainfed-dependent livelihood zones is through irrigation. This study examines small-scale irrigation practices and their determinants.Methods: Using structured survey questionnaires, interviews, and field observations, we used a cross-sectional survey design to collect data from 380 randomly selected households. The data analysis involved percentages, problem confrontation index, Chi-square test, independent samples t-test, and binary logistic regression model.Results: The findings revealed that river/stream diversion (40%), using nearby springs (19%), and hand-dug walls (18%) were the predominant types of irrigation. At the same time, water scarcity (PCI = 743), land shortage (PCI = 345), and labor (PCI = 212) were the main impediments to irrigation practices. The binary logistic regression model revealed educational status (OR = 1.239, p < 0.05), headship type (OR = 0.246, p < 0.05), age (OR = 0.943, p < 0.05), relative agroecological location (OR = 7.605; 13.929, p < 0.05), family size (OR = 1.936, p < 0.05), land size (OR = 8.609, p < 0.05), responsibility (OR = 2.069, p < 0.05), and crop failure (OR = 0.389, p < 0.05) as factors affecting the adoption of small-scale irrigation.Discussion: We recommend offering financial assistance to farmers with limited resources to acquire and install labor- and water-saving irrigation systems. Training and extension services on operating and maintaining small-scale irrigation technologies should be provided. Timely information sharing is also necessary to increase the use of irrigation on a small scale as a feasible adaptation to climate change.