Impact of Climate Variability on Maize (Zea mays L.) Yield and Farmers’ Adaptation Strategies in Hawassa Zuria District, Sidama Region, Ethiopia
Melese Tadesse Morebo,
Mengistu Mengesha Maja,
Abebe Aschalew Lakew
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 5, October 2023
Pages:
121-137
Received:
27 July 2023
Accepted:
14 August 2023
Published:
9 October 2023
Abstract: Climate variability has been adversely affecting agricultural activities and production in many developing countries including Ethiopia. The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of climate variability on maize yield and assess farmers’ adaptation strategies in Hawassa Zuria district, Sidama Region, Ethiopia. Historical climate data of rainfall and temperature for the period of 1989 to 2019 were obtained from the National Meteorological Agency (NMA) of Ethiopia and long term maize yield data was acquired from agricultural office of the district. Moreover, data on farmers adaptation practice was collected from a total of 290 household heads through survey questionnaire, interviews and focus group discussions. Data quality control, onset date, cessation of the rainy season, length of the growing season, dry spell length and number of rainy days were analyzed. Mann–Kendall trend test and Sen’s slope estimator were used to detect the magnitude and statistical significance of changes in rainfall and temperature. The onset of rainy season and length of growing period were highly variable, while the annual rainfall amount showed a statistically non-significant increasing trend by a factor of 4.34 mm/year in the study area. The annual mean maximum and mean minimum temperature significantly increased by a factor of 0.294°C and 0.64°C per decade, respectively. There was a negative correlation between maize yield and rainfall and temperature features. Climatic factors accounted for approximately 94% of maize yield variation observed in the study area. Coping and adaptation strategies implemented to combat challenges of climate variability. Due to a program run by agricultural extension services from the local government and NGOs, the majority of households adopted crop diversification. During the prolonged dry years, the additional tree planting was primarily for the purpose of providing natural shade for their cattle and crops on the farm. The study concludes that climate variability is apparent and seriously affects maize yield in the study area. Therefore, depending on the finding of the study, the following recommendations are forwarded are: Take special care and attention to the start of the growing season, the end date, and the length of the growing season in the study area; farmers should have access to supplemental irrigation systems from Hawassa Lake or boreholes, especially they live near the lake; and farmers should be warned about the increasing severity of climate variability in the area.
Abstract: Climate variability has been adversely affecting agricultural activities and production in many developing countries including Ethiopia. The purpose of this study was to analyze the impact of climate variability on maize yield and assess farmers’ adaptation strategies in Hawassa Zuria district, Sidama Region, Ethiopia. Historical climate data of ra...
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Research Article
Biodegradation by Landfarming On-Site of Petroleum Waste from Refining at Pointe-Noire (Republic of Congo)
Vitaline Vanessa Morabo Okoletimou,
Jean de Dieu Nzila,
Noël Watha-Ndoudy*,
Augustin Aimé Lebonguy
Issue:
Volume 12, Issue 5, October 2023
Pages:
138-149
Received:
12 September 2023
Accepted:
23 October 2023
Published:
11 November 2023
Abstract: This work aimed to evaluate the treatment by landfarming ex-situ on site of waste from the oil refining activity in Pointe-Noire. Three types of hydrocarbon-polluted soils were used for this study: Soil 1 (polluted by crude oil by-products), Soil 2 (polluted by crude oil by-products associated with grease) and Soil 3 (polluted by crude oil by-products associated with tank bottom sludge). These soils were treated in the ponds by mixing them with molasses and inoculum in the following proportions: 5400 kg soil, 5.5% molasses and 0.9% inoculum for pond 1 (Soil 1) and 27000 kg soil, 1.1% molasses and 0.185% inoculum for pond 2 (Soil 2) and pond 3 (Soil 3). Total petroleum hydrocarbons (TPH) and trace metal elements (TME) during processing were determined by EPA 3510C + EPA 8015D-2003 and UNI ISO 17294-2-2016, respectively. pH, humidity, temperature, carbon and organic matter were determined by AOAC methods. The results obtained show a decrease in TPH content in Soil 1, Soil 2 and Soil 3, with degradability rates of 67.19, 52.75 and 9.18% respectively. As, Ba, Cd, Co, Cr, Hg and Mo remain below 0.5 mg/kg. Zn levels decrease in Soil 2 (12 to 0.9 mg/kg) and increase in Soil 1 (10 to 15 mg/kg) and Soil 3 (20 to 23 mg/kg). Cu levels increase in Soil 1 (5 to 10 mg/kg) and Soil 2 (12 to 19 mg/kg). In Soil 3, Pb levels dropped from 18 to 12 mg/kg, while Ni levels rose from 3mg/kg to 7mg/kg. Concentrations of these metals (Pb and Ni) in Soil 1 and Soil 2 remained unchanged. pH varied from 4.52 to 8.38, humidity from 2.25 to 22.92%, temperature from 21 to 34°C, air content from 0.04 to 27.71%, carbon from 0.11 to 11.84% and nitrogen between 0.088 and 0.203% in all three soils during treatment. These results show that treatment had a significant impact on TPH.
Abstract: This work aimed to evaluate the treatment by landfarming ex-situ on site of waste from the oil refining activity in Pointe-Noire. Three types of hydrocarbon-polluted soils were used for this study: Soil 1 (polluted by crude oil by-products), Soil 2 (polluted by crude oil by-products associated with grease) and Soil 3 (polluted by crude oil by-produ...
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