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Research Article
Assessments of Pesticide Utilization and Safety Practices Among Vegetable Crop Producers in the East Shewa Zone, Oromia, Ethiopia
Adisu Longale*,
Asfaw Naggesse,
Gobena Tesfaye
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, December 2025
Pages:
36-51
Received:
25 July 2025
Accepted:
27 August 2025
Published:
25 September 2025
Abstract: Pesticide application poses risks to human health and the environment, potentially causing acute and chronic health effects, biodiversity loss, and harm to non-target organisms. Short-term adverse effects can include stinging eyes, rashes, blisters, nausea, and dizziness, and in severe cases, death. Long-term exposure can lead to various health problems, such as cancer, birth defects, reproductive harm, neurological and developmental toxicity, and disruption of the endocrine system. The aim of this study is to identify the factors affecting the adoption and intensity of pesticide safety practices among vegetable producer farmers in the East Shewa zone, Oromia region, Ethiopia. To conduct the study, primary data was collected from 120 randomly selected vegetable producers in the Ada’a and Dugda districts. Descriptive and economic statistics were used to analyze the data. The results indicated that only 36.67% of farmers used at least one piece of personal protective equipment during pesticide application, while 63.33% did not. Among the personal protective equipment (PPE) used, boots were the most common, followed by masks. The average adoption intensity of personal protective equipment was 0.14, which is very low. The results of the Tobit model indicated that the factors affecting the adoption decision and the level of adoption of pesticide safety practices were experience in pesticide application, knowledge of pesticide risks, availability of PPE in the market, distance of residence to a pesticide drug shop, frequency of extension contact, and provision of training related to chemical application. Various pesticide drug shops and concerned bodies should focus on improving communication and information on pesticide use. This could contribute to the improvement of pesticide safety practices in the study area.
Abstract: Pesticide application poses risks to human health and the environment, potentially causing acute and chronic health effects, biodiversity loss, and harm to non-target organisms. Short-term adverse effects can include stinging eyes, rashes, blisters, nausea, and dizziness, and in severe cases, death. Long-term exposure can lead to various health pro...
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Review Article
Review: The Role of Reclaiming Materials in Soil Acidity and Soil Chemical Properties in Western Ethiopia
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, December 2025
Pages:
52-60
Received:
12 August 2025
Accepted:
22 August 2025
Published:
14 October 2025
Abstract: Soil acidity is a major challenge for soil production in the Ethiopian highlands. This review aims to address the causes, extent, and management practices of soil acidity. Acidic soils hinder agricultural activities in the region and are on the rise. To combat this issue and improve crop yields, farmers can use simple and sustainable methods like liming. Liming is crucial for raising soil pH and boosting crop productivity. In Ethiopia, the gap between potential and actual yields is significant due to soil acidity and toxic nutrient availability. Applying mineral fertilizers without addressing soil acidity is ineffective. Effective acid soil management practices are essential for improving yield production. This review focuses on the role of liming in soil chemical properties, causes and management of soil acidity, and its impact on soil fertility and crop yield. Integrated acid soil management enhances yield sustainability and maximizes nutrient use efficiency.
Abstract: Soil acidity is a major challenge for soil production in the Ethiopian highlands. This review aims to address the causes, extent, and management practices of soil acidity. Acidic soils hinder agricultural activities in the region and are on the rise. To combat this issue and improve crop yields, farmers can use simple and sustainable methods like l...
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Review Article
Cost-Effective Materials and Technologies for the Removals of Metals and Heavy Metals from Leachate: A Review
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, December 2025
Pages:
61-71
Received:
21 August 2025
Accepted:
28 September 2025
Published:
28 October 2025
Abstract: Landfill leachate, a highly complex and toxic wastewater, which poses significant environmental and public health risks due to its heavy metal content. The ubiquitous presence of toxic metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, and chromium in leachate poses significant environmental and health risks, necessitating efficient and economical remediation strategies. Traditional methods, while effective, can be prohibitively expensive, especially for large-scale operations or in regions with limited financial resources. Consequently, there is a growing imperative to identify and implement treatment solutions that balance efficacy with affordability. This includes exploring the potential of widely available and low-cost adsorbents like agricultural by-products (e.g., rice husks, banana peels, sawdust), industrial wastes (e.g., fly ash, blast furnace slag), and natural minerals (e.g., zeolites, clays). Furthermore, innovative technologies such as constructed wetlands, bio-sorption using specific microbial communities, and electrochemical methods utilizing inexpensive electrodes are being investigated for their economic viability and environmental sustainability. The overarching goal is to develop practical, scalable, and cost-efficient approaches to mitigate metal pollution from leachate, thereby safeguarding water resources and public health. The focus on cost-effectiveness is intrinsically linked to the principles of sustainable waste management. Leachate treatment often represents a significant operational cost for landfill operators, and the economic burden can impede the adoption of necessary environmental protection measures. Therefore, research into low-cost materials and technologies is paramount. This abstract will critically review the performance of various cost-effective adsorbents, considering their adsorption capacity, selectivity for specific metals, regeneration potential, and operational stability. It will also delve into the technological aspects of implementing these solutions, evaluating factors such as energy consumption, land footprint, and ease of operation and maintenance. The integration of these affordable materials and technologies into existing leachate management infrastructure is explored, with an emphasis on their potential to reduce overall treatment costs and enhance the long-term sustainability of landfill operations. By highlighting these economically viable options, this work aims to provide a comprehensive overview for researchers, engineers, and policymakers seeking practical solutions for effective and affordable heavy metal removal from leachate.
Abstract: Landfill leachate, a highly complex and toxic wastewater, which poses significant environmental and public health risks due to its heavy metal content. The ubiquitous presence of toxic metals such as lead, cadmium, mercury, arsenic, and chromium in leachate poses significant environmental and health risks, necessitating efficient and economical rem...
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Review Article
Synergistic Effects of Lime with Organic and Inorganic Fertilizers on Soil Acidity and Crop Productivity
Abu Regasa*
,
Wassie Haile,
Girma Abera
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, December 2025
Pages:
72-82
Received:
13 September 2025
Accepted:
14 October 2025
Published:
8 December 2025
Abstract: Soil acidity is a critical global constraint to agricultural productivity, causing nutrient deficiencies, aluminum toxicity, and impaired microbial function. While liming is a fundamental corrective practice, its efficacy and sustainability can be significantly enhanced through integration with organic and inorganic fertilizers. This systematic review synthesizes current research on the synergistic effects of these combined amendments on soil acidity amelioration and crop productivity. Our analysis demonstrates that co-application consistently outperforms single amendments, leading to a more substantial increase in soil pH, a greater reduction in exchangeable aluminum, and improved nutrient availability and retention. These soil improvements translate directly into significant enhancements in crop growth, yield, and nutrient uptake. The mechanisms underpinning these synergies include improved lime dissolution and buffering capacity from organic matter, complexation of toxic aluminum ions, and stimulation of microbial communities that drive nutrient cycling. Furthermore, integrated nutrient management mitigates the accelerated acidification often associated with sole mineral fertilizer use. This review concludes that the judicious combination of lime, organic materials, and inorganic fertilizers represents a potent strategy for sustainable intensification of agriculture on acid soils. It offers a pathway to enhance productivity, improve long-term soil health, reduce environmental impacts, and contribute to global food security. Future research should focus on optimizing application protocols for specific agro-ecological contexts and elucidating the long-term dynamics of these interactions.
Abstract: Soil acidity is a critical global constraint to agricultural productivity, causing nutrient deficiencies, aluminum toxicity, and impaired microbial function. While liming is a fundamental corrective practice, its efficacy and sustainability can be significantly enhanced through integration with organic and inorganic fertilizers. This systematic rev...
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Research Article
Energy Efficient Software Development for Mobile Applications
Idowu Olugbenga Adewumi*,
Akeem Olamide Arikeuyo,
Hafeez Amuda,
Kehinde Oluwaremilekun Alao
Issue:
Volume 9, Issue 2, December 2025
Pages:
83-94
Received:
10 August 2025
Accepted:
25 August 2025
Published:
8 December 2025
Abstract: As mobile applications remain to drive user engagement and digital services, optimizing energy consumption has become an indispensable software engineering goal. Extreme battery drain caused by inefficient application behavior not only degrades user knowledge but also contributes to device overheating and shorter hardware lifecycle. This exploration displayed an incorporated framework for energy-efficient software development, merging static code analysis, dynamic energy profiling, and experimental testing across four Android applications. Using tools such as Android Studio Profiler, Trepn Profiler, Battery Historian, and Jupyter Notebook, the examination recognized and improved important energy anti-patterns, including unreleased wake locks, excessive CPU activity, and recurrent background polling. Post-optimization investigation displayed a 30 - 40% reduction in energy usage, a 20% drop in average CPU load, and a 60 - 70% decrease in wake lock counts. These outcomes were statistically authenticated using paired t-tests, all of which yielded p-values < 0.05, confirming significant improvements. The discoveries reinforce the prominence of participating energy diagnostics into the development lifecycle and provide a practical, reproducible model for building greener mobile applications. The planned procedure authorizes developers to make informed coding decisions, improves runtime efficiency, and aligns software design with global sustainability goals.
Abstract: As mobile applications remain to drive user engagement and digital services, optimizing energy consumption has become an indispensable software engineering goal. Extreme battery drain caused by inefficient application behavior not only degrades user knowledge but also contributes to device overheating and shorter hardware lifecycle. This exploratio...
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