http://ir.haramaya.edu.et//hru/handle/123456789/16 Wed, 10 Jun 2026 05:59:27 GMT 2026-06-10T05:59:27Z http://ir.haramaya.edu.et//hru/handle/123456789/8574 EXPLORING THE PRACTICES AND CHALLENGES OF CLIMATESMART AGRICULTURE IN AGRO-PASTORAL LIVELIHOODS: A CASE STUDY OF HARSHIN WOREDA IN SOMALI REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA. Kalid Mohamoud Tahir; Ashenafi Yimam (PhD); Kassaye Hussien (PhD) This study investigates the practices and challenges of climate-smart agriculture (CSA) within agro-pastoral livelihoods in Harshin Woreda, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia, and a region particularly vulnerable to climate change. The primary objective was to assess the existing climate patterns, understand the impact of climate change on agro-pastoral communities, and identify the CSA practices adopted by these communities. Additionally, the study aimed to evaluate the barriers to implementing CSA practices and their effects on the livelihoods of agro-pastoral households. A mixed-methods approach was employed, combining quantitative and qualitative data collection techniques. Multivariate probit (MVP) was employed to identify factors influencing adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices, while the Propensity Score Matching (PSM) technique was used to evaluate the impact of adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices on the annual income of households in the study area. The study sampled 286 agro-pastoral households from Harshin Woreda, utilizing questionnaires, interviews, focus group discussions, and document analysis to gather comprehensive data. The analysis revealed significant climatic challenges, such as increasing temperatures and decreasing rainfall, which exacerbate the vulnerabilities of agro-pastoral communities. The study also identified key CSA practices, including crop rotation, water-efficient irrigation, and integrated soil fertility management, though the overall adoption rate remains low due to barriers such as limited access to resources, inadequate institutional support, and cultural resistance to change. The findings underscore the critical need for targeted interventions to enhance the adoption of CSA practices, which are essential for improving the resilience and sustainability of agro-pastoral livelihoods in the face of climate change. The research contributes valuable insights for policymakers and development practitioners, offering practical recommendations to strengthen CSA adoption. These insights are crucial for developing effective policies and programs that can mitigate the adverse effects of climate change on agro-pastoral communities in Ethiopia and similar regions. In conclusion, the study highlights the importance of addressing the barriers to CSA adoption through improved resource access, institutional support, and community engagement. These steps are vital for promoting sustainable agricultural practices and enhancing the resilience of vulnerable communities to the ongoing challenges posed by climate change. 94p. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.haramaya.edu.et//hru/handle/123456789/8574 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.haramaya.edu.et//hru/handle/123456789/8505 IMPACTS OF DROUGHT IN PASTORAL COMMUNITY AND THEIR COPING STRATEGIES IN CASE OF GUMBI BORDODE WOREDA, WEST HARARGHE ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA Ephrem Getachew Mergiya; Ashenafi Yimam (PhD); Kassaye Hussien (PhD) Drought is a natural event that affects both humans and animals. This study aimed to analyze rainfall, temperature, drought, and the impact of drought, as well as the adaptation strategies of pastoral households in Gumbi Bordodde Woreda, West Hararghe Zone, Ethiopia. Historical climate data from the National Meteorology Agency (1991-2020) was used, alongside primary data gathered from household key informants through interviews, focus group discussions, and observations. Data analysis was conducted using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences (SPSS), while rainfall and temperature data were characterized using Drinc C and XLSTAT software. The results showed that the average annual rainfall was 761mm, with Belg and Kiremt rainfall amounts of 269mm and 410mm, respectively, and corresponding coefficients of variation (CV) of 105%, 98%, and 50%. The Belg rainfall amount exhibited a significant decreasing trend, while Kiremt and Bega rainfall amounts showed no significant increase. The mean maximum and minimum temperatures were as follows: annual (30.72°C, 15.39°C), Belg (29.12°C, 12.39°C), Kiremt (31.64°C, 17.79°C), and Bega (31.39°C, 16°C). The Belg and Bega maximum temperatures showed significant warming trends, whereas Kiremt and annual maximum temperatures showed non-significant warming trends. Regarding the Standard Precipitation Index (SPI), the frequency of dry clusters was higher in the Belg season (13%) compared to the Belg-wet cluster (7%), while the Kiremt season had a lower frequency of dry clusters (10%) compared to the wet cluster (23%). The annual dry cluster (13%) was also less frequent than the annual wet cluster (20%). The survey revealed that 78% of household heads were male, 74% were aged between 20-60 years, and 77% were married. About 52% of household heads were illiterate. In terms of farm size, 70% of respondents owned between 0.5-1.5 hectares of land, with most households owning Between 10 to 20 livestock. The main adaptation strategies for drought and climate variability included crop diversification (72%), constructing flood diversion channels for irrigation (66%), selecting drought-tolerant crops and livestock breeds (48%), saving pastures (36%), and soil and water conservation practices (30%). The majority (53- 91%) of respondents reported negative impacts of climate change, variability, and drought on agriculture, the environment, and human life. Key factors influencing adaptation strategies included income sources, age, farm size, education, access to climate information, family size, and livestock holdings. Income had a positive impact on the construction of flood diversion channels, while age had a negative impact. Farm size, education, and income positively affected the selection of droughttolerant crops and livestock breeds. Access to climate information positively impacted pasture collection and saving, while family size negatively affected soil and water conservation practices but had a positive impact on crop diversification. Overall, the study found that frequent drought occurrences, low and highly variable rainfall (CV = 105%), and rising temperatures pose significant challenges for agricultural production in the study area. The study recommends promoting income diversification as an essential adaptation strategy. 116p. Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.haramaya.edu.et//hru/handle/123456789/8505 2025-03-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.haramaya.edu.et//hru/handle/123456789/8500 EXPLORING ENGLISH LANGUAGE ASSESSMENT IN ETHIOPIAN UNIVERSITIES: ASSUMPTIONS, PRACTICES AND CHALLENGES Dagim Endale Galata; Adinew Tadesse Degago (PhD, ); Abera Admasu Endashaw (PhD); Alemayehu Getachew Tsegaye (PhD) This study aimed to explore assessment assumptions, practices and challenges in the enactment of communicative English language skills course in Ethiopian universities. To this end, a mixed methods research design was employed, and data were collected from EFL instructors and firstyear undergraduate students through questionnaires, interviews and documents. The quantitative data were analyzed through descriptive and inferential statistics whereas thematic and content analysis approaches were applied for the qualitative data. The findings revealed that EFL instructors conducted assessments mainly for accountability purposes and relied on some particular conventional assessment methods to realize this. In addition, although instructors used both written and oral feedback modes frequently, they were found to be the sole source of feedback. These feedbacks often focused on verifying and directly providing correct answers than on scaffolding learners to generate by themselves. The findings also showed that students were highly traditionalists in their assumptions. On the other hand, although EFL instructors seem to hold mixed assumptions (progressive and traditional), most of their assumptions were those underlying traditional assessment approaches. The few alternativist assumptions held by EFL instructors often did not translate into practice due to various external factors such as the established assessment system, students’ language proficiency and overall competence, large class size, and workload. The study suggests the importance of ensuring that the assessment practices in the target course are aligned with the current assessment developments so that students’ English language learning is more supported. Changing EFL instructors’ and students assumptions about assessment and working on barriers that hinder interpreting assumptions into practice are also the other implications of the study. 229p. Sat, 01 Mar 2025 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.haramaya.edu.et//hru/handle/123456789/8500 2025-03-01T00:00:00Z http://ir.haramaya.edu.et//hru/handle/123456789/8489 THE PROBLEMS THAT STUDENTS FACE IN READING COMPREHENSION IN EFL CLASSROOM: THE CASE OF GRADE EIGHT STUDENTS OF HARAMAYA WOREDA AT BATE PRIMARY SCHOOL Alemshet Zewdie Asfarie; Dereje Tadesse (PhD); Alemayehu Getachew (PhD) This study investigates the problems that Students face in Reading Comprehension in EFL classroom. The study was carried out in Bate Primary School with special reference to grade eight students .Descriptive research design was employed to address the problem. To conduct the study, three English teachers were chosen along with 60 students who were selected through random sampling techniques. In order to achieve the objective the study employed four data gathering tools: questionnaire, interview, classroom observation and text book analysis. Questionnaire was employed to identify the problems that students face in reading comprehension in EFL classroom. Interview was used to find out the cause of students reading comprehension problems and identify the challenges that students face during reading comprehension in EFL classroom. Furthermore Classroom observation was employed to identify What the English Language teachers were doing when they teach English reading comprehension. The study utilized both quantitative (Questionnaire) and Qualitative (Interviews, Classroom Observation) data collection methods .The study identified that student face difficulties in identifying main ideas specific information and vocabulary from contexts. Additionally, Lack of back ground knowledge, Shortage of vocabulary usage, Limited reading practice, lack of motivation and influence of their mother tongue were identified as contributing factors. Furthermore, the analysis of textbooks highlighted issues with authenticity ,difficulty level of tasks type and irrelevant to students interests and language needs .Based on this finding the study concludes that ineffective teaching methods and textbooks limitation contributes significantly to the students struggle .To improve the problems that students face in English reading comprehension the study recommends revision to teaching approach emphasizing clear and concise language use .Teachers must use simple and precise expression, explicit instruction and communicative approaches to reading instruction. Therefore, since English reading Comprehension is a skill that could be improved through sufficient practicing, Bate primary School students have been given a chance of learning and practicing techniques for English reading comprehension to effectively use them to comprehend a text. 62p. Mon, 01 Jan 2024 00:00:00 GMT http://ir.haramaya.edu.et//hru/handle/123456789/8489 2024-01-01T00:00:00Z