Abstract: Unindustrialized countries like Ethiopia; the local plants play major roles to the limited modern health care available. Therefore, the objective of the study was to evaluate essential and non-essential metals; Ca, Mn, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mg, Cd, and Pb of Hop (Rhamnus Prinoides) and Papaya (Carica papaya) which are commonly used in Gummer woreda central Ethiopia. The level of these metals cultivated were determined using flame atomic absorption spectrometry. The analysis of optimized wet digestion method which a 0.5 g sample using a mixture of 2 ml HNO3 and 2 ml HClO4 at 150°C for 210 minutes. The digestion was evaluated by spiking the samples and their percentage recoveries in the range of 89−103.5%. The results showed that both plants under investigation have the ability to accumulate relatively higher amounts of Ca among the determined essential metals. The concentration ranges in dry weight basis in decreasing order for the samples were: Ca (3.27-5.85 mg/kg) > Mn (1.13-3.98 mg/kg) > Zn (1.58-2.96 mg/kg) > Fe (1.17-2.79 mg/kg) > Mg (1.57- 2.54 mg/kg) > Cu (1.09-2.47 mg/kg. The concentration of Pb and Cd in the samples was below the limit of detection. All the non-essential metals analyzed in this study were below the permissible ranges presented by FAO/WHO standards. Hence, the studied plant is safe for dietary and uses with respect to the analyzed metals. Additional studies will be continued on the screening of of the plants based on phytochemical activities.Abstract: Unindustrialized countries like Ethiopia; the local plants play major roles to the limited modern health care available. Therefore, the objective of the study was to evaluate essential and non-essential metals; Ca, Mn, Zn, Cu, Fe, Mg, Cd, and Pb of Hop (Rhamnus Prinoides) and Papaya (Carica papaya) which are commonly used in Gummer woreda central E...Show More
Abstract: Food insecurity is the main challenge in Africa, particularly, in Ethiopia. The government of Ethiopia tacked such problems with an agricultural-led Industrialization policy and a strategy of innovation, and dissemination of new agricultural technologies. Rice is among the emphasis of food security crops to improve its genetics, and to be used by smallholder farmers to boost their agricultural productivity and ensure their food security. The research used a simple and systematic sampling technique to take 180 smallholder rice producers to examine the impact of improved rice variety adoption on smallholders' food security in Northwestern Ethiopia. The research used descriptive statistics, the Probit model, and the Propensity Score Matching models. The probit regression identified that Rice farm experience, soil fertility, Access to credit, access to extension service, Mobile phone, and owning more livestock are the factors that positively influence the adoption of improved rice variety and statistical significance at 10%, 5%, 10%, 5%, 1% respectively whereas Distance to cooperatives, distance to main road, and distance to markets are factors that influenced the improved rice variety adoption negatively and statistically significance at 1%, 1%, 1% respectively. The propensity Score Matching Model revealed that the adopters of improved rice variety produced more rice output and consumed more rice output in terms of calorie intake as well as food and non-food consumption. This directly improved the food security status of smallholder Adopters compared to the non-adopters. Therefore, governmental and non-governmental organizations should focus on outreach of improved agricultural technologies to ensure food security at household levels.
Abstract: Food insecurity is the main challenge in Africa, particularly, in Ethiopia. The government of Ethiopia tacked such problems with an agricultural-led Industrialization policy and a strategy of innovation, and dissemination of new agricultural technologies. Rice is among the emphasis of food security crops to improve its genetics, and to be used by s...Show More