Soil erosion is a major problem in the Somali region, particularly in Shebele woreda, which has caused the formation of large gullies, sediments, depletion of water resources, deterioration of farming land, destruction of natural pastures, and diminishing. The study was mainly focused on the selected and introduced soil and water conservation practices that are more implemented by farmers, describing the livelihood and land resource status between adopters and non-adopters of soil and water conservation practices, and also to identify determinant factors for soil and water conservation practices adoption in the study area. Primary data collected through household questionnaire, focus group discussions, and key informants’ interviews. Secondary data were also collected from relevant sources. Data were subjected to descriptive and inferential statistics. Purposive and stratified sampling techniques were used to collect the primary data. Shebele woreda was stratified into three strata, based on agro-ecology, i.e., highland, mid-altitude, and lowland. Then one kebele from each agro-ecology was purposively selected based on the intervention of soil and water conservation practices. The sample size was determined formula developed by Yemane 1997 and 193 households were selected. Binary probit models were utilized to analyze the factors influencing farmers’ decisions in implementing soil and water conservation practices. The findings of this study revealed that soil and water conservation practices have a significant role in improving the livelihood, land resource conservation, and contribution to environmental well-being. The findings of this study recommend that the dissemination of farm equipment or agricultural input to the farmers and strengthening the continuous work of land management practices and information about soil and water conservation practices should be addressed.

This research study aims to explore the key factors that influence and impact the efficiency of teamwork in Micro and Small Enterprises in the context of Degahbour City in Ethiopia. Micro and Small Enterprises remain a key contributor to employment in any economy. This makes their performance and efficient team work a vital area of consideration for any number of organizational and team-related factors. This research paper has identified and focused on six key factors in relation to the dependent variable 7) Teamwork Efficiency, These include 1) Goals and Objectives, 2) Team Leadership, 3) Task Conflict, 4) Team Trust, 5) Team Communication, and 6) Organizational Support. It was a cross sectional survey design, where subjects for the survey were selected through proportional stratified random sampling. A total of 267 questionnaires were processed for analysis, divided among the four sectors, namely: Manufacturing, Construction, Services, and Urban Agriculture. The quantitative data was processed for analysis through the use of SPSS 25 software. The correlation analysis indicated that there were significant and positive correlations among each of the six independent variables and teamwork efficiency. Organizational support and task conflict revealed the greatest correlations to team performance. The results also revealed that based on the descriptive statistics, the respondents’ attitudes toward organizational support were viewed most favorably, and team communication was viewed least favorably. The reliability test confirmed that the reliability coefficients were good for each scale used in this study. These results indicate that in the context of Degahbour's MSEs in particular, structural support and supportive task-related debates play important roles in team working. This research serves as important practical guidance for MSE owners, support institutions, and policymakers to improve team working processes in terms of providing structural support and promoting environments for constructive task debates. In this manner, key areas for improving small-scale businesses in Ethiopia are better targeted.

This study tried to assess agro-pastoral households’ poverty status in the Godey district, Shabelle Zone, Somali Regional State of Ethiopia, to improve the efficacy of poverty alleviation programs for development actors. Specifically, it sought to analyze the poverty status of agro-pastoral households in the Godey district and its determinants. To choose sample households, a two-stage random sampling approach was used. All the villages in the Godey district are enumerated in the first step, after which only agro-pastoral villages are specifically chosen. In the second phase, 144 sample houses were chosen at random using a proportionate to size. Descriptive statistics and the binary Logit model were used to analyze the data. The cost of basic needs method was used to estimate the poverty line, and accordingly, the total poverty line of the district was found to be 3,112.40 Birr. The headcount ratio of the sampled households, which implies the population of the district that lives below the poverty line, was found to be 37%. Similarly, the poverty gap of 9% and severity index were found 4% respectively. Results of logistic regression analysis reveal that nine explanatory variables are important in explaining poverty status of agro-pastoral households in the district. These are household size, dependency ratio, livestock owned, total income, farm size, sex of the household head, and the education level of the mother. Based on the results of the study, we recommend interventions such as the promotion of households’ access to assets and women’s education, improving livestock productivity, farm management, and developing a pro-poor marketing strategy and infrastructure.

Irrigation plays a critical role in enhancing agricultural productivity and ensuring food security, particularly in arid and semi-arid regions where rainfall is unreliable. The Erer Irrigation Scheme, one of the oldest surface irrigation schemes in the Somali Region of Ethiopia, has experienced declining performance due to structural deterioration, sedimentation, weak management, and high conveyance losses. This study evaluated the technical, operational, and institutional performance of the scheme from October 2023 to January 2024 using standardized irrigation performance indicators. Field measurements were conducted along the main and secondary canals to determine discharge, water levels, and conveyance losses. Crop water requirements were estimated using CROPWAT 8.0 based on climatic data obtained from the Jigjiga Meteorological Station. Key performance indicators assessed included water adequacy, equity, dependability, efficiency, conveyance efficiency, water surface elevation ratio, infrastructure effectiveness, and water delivery ratio. In addition, farmers’ perceptions and management practices were examined through interviews and discussions with irrigators and Water User Association members. The results showed that water adequacy was fair at the head reaches of secondary canals but poor at the middle and tail sections. Equity ranged from good to fair, while conveyance efficiency was relatively high in the main canal (89.52%) but considerably lower in secondary canals (61.50–67.11%) due to seepage, cracks, sediment accumulation, and vegetation growth. Maintenance indicators revealed serious infrastructure failures and frequent canal blockages. Farmers expressed dissatisfaction with water distribution fairness, maintenance practices, and management coordination. Overall, the Erer Irrigation Scheme operates below its design potential due to combined technical, operational, and institutional challenges. Rehabilitation of infrastructure, strengthening of Water User Associations, improved water scheduling, and systematic maintenance are recommended to enhance scheme performance and sustainability.