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Review Article
Trends and Drivers of Avocado Production in Ethiopia: A Review
Efrem Asfaw*
,
Zinash Nigussie
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 4, December 2024
Pages:
72-78
Received:
29 October 2024
Accepted:
15 November 2024
Published:
29 November 2024
Abstract: Global avocado production has seen a significant increase over the past few decades. The area harvested and production quantities have grown substantially, reflecting the rising demand for avocados worldwide. In Ethiopia, avocado production has been experiencing significant growth and the Ethiopian government, in collaboration with international organizations has been working intensively for avocado crop development in the country. These efforts have led to an increase in both the area under cultivation, production and productivity. The data from Food and Agricultural Organization indicated that the area under avocado cultivation in Ethiopia was 9,754 ha in 2000 and through up and downward fluctuations, substantial jump were seen in 2020 hitting 30,588 ha. For about more than a decade from 2000-2013, the volume of avocado production reveals a steady increase and the most significant growth were observed from 2016-2020, with production rising to 81,431.76 metric tons in 2017 and reaching 245,335.63 metric tons in 2020. The productivity of avocado in Ethiopia has experienced notable fluctuations in the last two decades. Even though there was a slight decline in subsequent years, the current productivity 5.8tons per hectare remained relatively high compared to the early 2010s. Favorable agro-ecological conditions, growing domestic demand, and government initiatives to promote and produce, high-yield, disease-resistant varieties, nutritional value, development of export markets, establishment of different processing factories in different parts of Ethiopia, government initiative and international support are factors responsible for expansion and development of avocado crop in Ethiopia. However, challenges such as limited access to quality seeds and planting materials, insufficient irrigation systems, very weak market chains, climate change, root rot and pests, low agronomic practices, lack of market and price information, perishability nature of the crop, lack of proper storage, weak access to transportation and extension services still need to be addressed. Addressing the issues, the future of avocado production and productivity in Ethiopia look promising and positive trends, with the potential to contribute significantly to the food security and economic development.
Abstract: Global avocado production has seen a significant increase over the past few decades. The area harvested and production quantities have grown substantially, reflecting the rising demand for avocados worldwide. In Ethiopia, avocado production has been experiencing significant growth and the Ethiopian government, in collaboration with international or...
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Research Article
Pre-Extension Demonstration of Crude Beeswax Extraction Technology in Ilu Gelan District, West Shewa Zone, Oromia Regional State, Ethiopia
Lalisa Wendimu Biyena*
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 4, December 2024
Pages:
79-85
Received:
25 October 2024
Accepted:
12 November 2024
Published:
7 December 2024
Abstract: The current bee wax production system remains underdeveloped among smallholder beekeepers due to lack the necessary expertise and methods for processing crude bee wax in Ethiopia. The study was conducted in the Ilu Gelan district with the goal of raising knowledge about the importance of bee wax for income generation. The farmers’ research extension group (FREG) was employed to demonstrate the method, with one FREG of 20 beekeepers at each appropriate site (kebele), for a total of 40 beekeepers. Crude beeswax materials, such as broken or dried combs and sefef, were used to produce pure bees wax blocks. Data were gathered from primary and secondary sources in both qualitative and quantitative forms. In-depth key informant interviews, focus groups discussion, and observations were used for qualitative data collection. Likewise checklists used for quantitative data. The qualitative data was examined using narrative response and content analysis approaches. Nonetheless, the quantitative data was analyzed using statistical tools for descriptive and inferential purposes. Overall, 58 participants obtained the knowledge required to act as future resources in the study area. The submerged crude beeswax rendering method yielded an average of 3.67 kg and 3.28 kg of pure beeswax from 10 kg of comb wax and sefef, respectively. A statistically significant (P< 0.05) yield difference was seen between submerged and sack jute methods of crude wax extraction using comb wax. Thus, through education and information sharing, it is essential to ensure technology's long-term survival in potential areas and with more beneficiaries through development efforts.
Abstract: The current bee wax production system remains underdeveloped among smallholder beekeepers due to lack the necessary expertise and methods for processing crude bee wax in Ethiopia. The study was conducted in the Ilu Gelan district with the goal of raising knowledge about the importance of bee wax for income generation. The farmers’ research extensio...
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Review Article
The Benefits of Agroforestry Coffee Production Systems: A Review
Kalifa Nasiro*
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 4, December 2024
Pages:
86-105
Received:
28 October 2024
Accepted:
19 November 2024
Published:
10 December 2024
Abstract: Coffee is one of the most popular beverages worldwide and is consumed by approximately one-third of the world’s population. More than 80 developing countries have earned foreign currency from coffee. Coffee production systems vary from multi-strata agroforestry systems to full-sun monocultures. This literature review aimed to explore the benefits of agroforestry coffee production systems, in which coffee trees are planted together with forest trees, fruits, and timber trees. The question of whether coffee trees benefited from shade trees has not been clear for more than a century. Yield potential, competition for water and nutrients, and perceived lower economic performance compared to high-input monoculture coffee systems are central issues in this controversy. However, various case studies provide evidence that the economic performance of coffee agroforestry systems is equal to or better than that of unshaded plantations and/or plantations with higher input levels. Additionally, agroforestry systems provide several ecosystem services that might help sustain the production of multiple crops, improve farmers' livelihoods, and conserve biodiversity. In the face of climate change and the resulting rainfall decline and increased fluctuations in temperature extremes, tree shade appears to be an important climate adaptation coping strategy for smallholder farmers. Thus, shade can reduce the ecological and economic vulnerability of resource-poor smallholder farmers. Because of the long periods involved in tree growth, our understanding of agroforestry systems will be restricted if it depends only on experimental data. One way to improve our understanding and integrate scattered knowledge on coffee agroforestry is by using process-based models. Therefore, for the effective prediction of coffee growth dynamics, future research should integrate modeling that bridges gaps and can set the development of quantitative models predicting the growth and production of coffee.
Abstract: Coffee is one of the most popular beverages worldwide and is consumed by approximately one-third of the world’s population. More than 80 developing countries have earned foreign currency from coffee. Coffee production systems vary from multi-strata agroforestry systems to full-sun monocultures. This literature review aimed to explore the benefits o...
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Research Article
Whey Based Bulla Porridge Using Different Proportions of Acidic Whey and Water
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 4, December 2024
Pages:
106-114
Received:
10 October 2024
Accepted:
6 November 2024
Published:
12 December 2024
Abstract: Bulla porridge is a traditional food item often made from bulla paste, which is primarily obtained from fully matured Enset (Ensete ventricosum) plants. It is high in carbohydrates but low in protein. This study aimed to improve the nutritional value and sensory attributes of bulla porridge. 5 kg of bulla paste was collected from Gurage zone, Ezha woreda, Ethiopia. The experiment included seven treatments: T1 (100% water), T2 (85% Acidic Whey & 15% Water), T3 (70% Acidic Whey & 30% Water), T4 (55% Acidic Whey & 45% Water), T5 (40% Acidic Whey & 60% Water), T6 (25% Acidic Whey & 75% Water), and T7 (10% Acidic Whey & 90% Water). The moisture, ash, crude protein, calcium, iron, and zinc content of acidic whey blended bulla porridge ranged from 0.54% to 1.65%, 0.33% to 4.65%, 0.43% to 1.43%, 177.60 to 530.50, 9.37 to 24.51, and 0.69 to 2.34, respectively. The highest sensory attribute scores were 8.33 for appearance, 8.47 for color, 7.87 for taste, 8.07 for odor, 8.07 for texture, and 8.15 for overall acceptability. Bulla porridge with 70% acidic whey and 30% water showed a 16% increase in protein, 35% increase in calcium, and 7% increase in zinc. Bulla porridge made with acidic whey can be significantly improved in terms of protein content and sensory acceptability compared to the control.
Abstract: Bulla porridge is a traditional food item often made from bulla paste, which is primarily obtained from fully matured Enset (Ensete ventricosum) plants. It is high in carbohydrates but low in protein. This study aimed to improve the nutritional value and sensory attributes of bulla porridge. 5 kg of bulla paste was collected from Gurage zone, Ezha ...
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Research Article
Microbiological Assessment of Oreochromis niloticus Treated with Calotropis procera - Silver Nanoparticles
Oluwatoyin Animashaun*,
Daniel Aina,
Oluwakemi Thonda
Issue:
Volume 8, Issue 4, December 2024
Pages:
115-125
Received:
2 November 2024
Accepted:
15 November 2024
Published:
12 December 2024
Abstract: Oreochromis niloticus is a highly nutritious aquatic food with limited shelf life. The mode of preservation of O. niloticus has raised concerns about its safety and public health due to food borne illnesses. Studies have shown that chemical preservatives are toxic and harmful to humans thereby leading to growing interest in Calotropis procera for its antibacterial properties, and there is limited information on the use of C. procera silver nanoparticles (CP-AgNPs) to preserve O. niloticus. Hence, this study aimed at evaluating its preservative effect of CP-AgNPs on O. niloticus. A total of one hundred and fifty-six samples of adult wild O. niloticus (97.41± 0.95 g) were sourced from a local river using simple random sampling. The O. niloticus fishes were subjected to four different treatments which included: dipping into sterile distilled water, dipping into NaCl solution, dipping into Calotropis procera silver nanoparticles (CP-AgNPs) solution and injecting CP-AgNPs. These were allowed to stand for 30 min, thereafter drained and held in clean basket at ambient conditions for 48 h. Samples were taken at 4 h interval for microbiological analysis according to standard methods. The isolated bacteria were identified using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. All analysis was carried out in triplicates with statistical significance set at P<0.05. The microbial count showed that CP-AgNPs exhibited antimicrobial and antifungal activities. The best treatment for preservation was the injected CP-AgNPs. Bacteria identified were Pseudomonas aeruginosa, Streptococcus agalactiae, Escherichia coli, Enterobacter sichuanensis, Enterobacter cloacae, Staphylococcus aureus, Citrobacter portucalensis, Klebsiella pneumoniae, Klebsiella variicola, Proteus mirabilis and Aeromonas caviae. This study concluded that, injecting CP-AgNPs into O. niloticus was the best treatment option; however, CP-AgNPs displayed antibacterial activities and preservative effect on O. niloticus.
Abstract: Oreochromis niloticus is a highly nutritious aquatic food with limited shelf life. The mode of preservation of O. niloticus has raised concerns about its safety and public health due to food borne illnesses. Studies have shown that chemical preservatives are toxic and harmful to humans thereby leading to growing interest in Calotropis procera for i...
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