The aim of this study was to evaluate accuracy of farmer's paternity identification which determines success of future breed selection and hence genetic gain. Paternity of 269 Orma/zebu and Sahiwal/zebu calves was evaluated using genetic markers and the likelihood based method. Results indicate that only 6.7% farmer alleged paternities were confirmed, 88% parent-offspring relationships were rejected and 18% parent-offspring relationships were undetermined. However, 82% of offsprings were assigned at least 80% confident paternities to one of the sampled candidate males. These results suggest that there is need to institute proper breeding program in the pastoral area if farmers are to benefit from their current efforts of breed improvement.

Fodder production, dry season leaf retention, and concentrations of crude protein and in vitro dry matter (DM) digestibility in fodder of Desmanthus virgatus, Desmodium cinereum, Desmodium gyroides, and Cajanus cajan were compared under cutting on an acid soil in southern Ethiopia. Desmodium cinereum, D. distortum, D. discolor, and C. cajan retained a higher percentage of green more fodder than D. gyroides and Desmanthus virgatus. Crude protein concentration in fodder of all species during the dry season was above 130 g kg DM, indicating that these species could be used as protein banks to supplement native pastures and crop residues during the dry season. Based on fodder production, dry season leaf retention, and concentration of crude protein in fodder, D. cinereum, D. distortum, D. disolor, and C. cajan are recommended for further testing with animals.

The feed resources base, the feeding systems and feed values of three indigenous trees Girawa, Anfare and Kelewa (Local (Amharic), Ethiopian names ) were studied for sheep in sub humid, mid altitude area of south western Ethiopia. The study involved a survey of the feed resources base and assessment of the feeding systems, chemical analysis and in vitro dry matter digestibility. In addition, Girawa was selected to study its effect on growth performances using 32 lambs. The levels of Girawa used for the growth performance study in groups I, II, III and IV, respectively were 100 g/d, 200 g/d, 300 g/d and 400 g/d. The main feed resources for sheep in Jimma area were found to be natural pasture, crop residues, crop aftermaths and indigenous multipurpose trees. Grazing on natural pasture constituted the main feeding system. The indigenous trees were cut and fed occasionally. The levels of CP ranged from 186.2 to 244.4 g/kg DM with minimum level in Anfare. Higher values were recorded for Girawa. Organic matter content was higher for Anfare (924.3 g/kg DM) and lower for Girawa (877.9 g/kg DM). In vitro dry matter digestibility values were 0.448, 0.422 and 0.458 for Girawa, Anfare and Kelewa, respectively. Supplementation of Girawa had an effect (p<0.01) on live weight gains of lambs. Lambs that were offered 400 g/d of Girawa had a higher daily live weight gain (95.1 g/d) compared to those supplemented with 200 (43.3 g/d) and 300 g/d (50.5 g/d) of Girawa as well as the control group (34.0 g/d). Weight gains were not different between the control group and those supplemented with 200 and 300 g/d of Girawa. It was concluded that these feed resources represent a great potential for sheep production in areas where the resources are available. It is also suggested that more studies are needed on higher level of Girawa than the present study on animal performances along with its anti-nutritional effects.

This study aimed at better understanding of the characteristics of feeding and breeding practices smallholder farmers adopt in intensifying their dairy production. Use of hired labour for fodder gathering, growing of fodder crops and purchase of feeds increased with increasing intensification, but Bos taurus breeds did not respond to increasing feeding intensification while Bos indicus cattle responded, calving at earlier age and yielding more milk. Overall, first calving occurred at 32 months, but days open prolonged to 250 days with milk yield of 4 litres per day of calving interval. A principal component analysis extracted six feeding and breeding components, explaining 71.79% of the total variations in feeding and breeding practices for dairy intensification. The six components were labelled: non-intensified feeding and breeding; breeding decisions based-intensification; high external resource based-intensification; moderate resource based-intensification; resource poor based-intensification; and moderate external resource based-intensification. These characteristics points to some 'evolutionary process' of intensification involving feeding and breeding decisions, depending on the risk-bearing capacity of the household. Intensification enhancing interventions for smallholders need be considered in the context of the household economy. Interventions on feeding and breeding have to be packaged together holistically if intensification is to enhance productivity. A selective intervention on only one of these is associated with low productivity levels, only contributing to sustaining family subsistence livelihoods.

This study was conducted in four Peasant Associations in Jamma district, with the objectives of assessing village chicken production situation and their characters. A total of 120 households from four PAs were involved in the study. A single-visit and multi-subject type of survey was conducted using structured questionnaires between November and December 2005, which was complemented by one arrival survey in August 2005 aiming at assessing seasonal variation in village chicken production. The survey work indicated that, the overall average flock size was 5.6±0. 8 per household. Flock size was significantly higher (p<0.05) for rich households than medium and poor households. Average flock size was not significantly (P>0.05) affected by PAs and agro ecologies. Major phenotypic appearance of chicken flock was white (28.9 %) followed by gray (25.9%). The mean of age at first lay, number of clutches per hen per year and number of eggs laid per clutch per hen were 5.05±1.34 months, 5.06±1.65 and 15.39±5.05, respectively. The mean hatchability was 84% per hen per household. The ratio of male to female was around 1:3. The purpose of keeping poultry was mainly for sale (38.11) followed by home consumption (31.56%). Of all classes of chicken, significant (P<0.05) variation between seasons and prices were observed for cockerels, which were 10.5 in winter and 9.0 Birr in summer seasons while season had significant (P<0.05) effect on the body weight of local cockerels and the body weight of cross bred hens was also affected by agro ecology. For better productivity, changing traditional management would be the first priority.

The feed resources base, the feeding systems and feed values of three indigenous trees Girawa, Anfare and Kelewa (Local (Amharic), Ethiopian names ) were studied for sheep in sub humid, mid altitude area of south western Ethiopia. The study involved a survey of the feed resources base and assessment of the feeding systems, chemical analysis and in vitro dry matter digestibility. In addition, Girawa was selected to study its effect on growth performances using 32 lambs. The levels of Girawa used for the growth performance study in groups I, II, III and IV, respectively were 100 g/d, 200 g/d, 300 g/d and 400 g/d. The main feed resources for sheep in Jimma area were found to be natural pasture, crop residues, crop aftermaths and indigenous multipurpose trees. Grazing on natural pasture constituted the main feeding system. The indigenous trees were cut and fed occasionally. The levels of CP ranged from 186.2 to 244.4 g/kg DM with minimum level in Anfare. Higher values were recorded for Girawa. Organic matter content was higher for Anfare (924.3 g/kg DM) and lower for Girawa (877.9 g/kg DM). In vitro dry matter digestibility values were 0.448, 0.422 and 0.458 for Girawa, Anfare and Kelewa, respectively. Supplementation of Girawa had an effect (p<0.01) on live weight gains of lambs. Lambs that were offered 400 g/d of Girawa had a higher daily live weight gain (95.1 g/d) compared to those supplemented with 200 (43.3 g/d) and 300 g/d (50.5 g/d) of Girawa as well as the control group (34.0 g/d). Weight gains were not different between the control group and those supplemented with 200 and 300 g/d of Girawa. It was concluded that these feed resources represent a great potential for sheep production in areas where the resources are available. It is also suggested that more studies are needed on higher level of Girawa than the present study on animal performances along with its anti-nutritional effects.

The mode of ownership of chicken in the family was various types, for instance shared ownership constituted about (57%) followed by individual ownership (43%) among the members of the households. More than around 70% of overall care-taking of chickens, feeding of chickens, cleaning of birds-quarter, treating of sick birds, decision for off take of poultry products were the responsibility of women. The major criteria used for judging of the price of local chickens were body weight (34.2%), plumage color (33.3%) and comp-type (32.4%). Fluctuations in the prices of the village chicken and chicken-products were mainly due to purchasing power of the consumers (33.4), fasting (33.2), and availability of products (32.5%). Almost all farmers were selling their chicken and chicken products in local markets.

The present article reviews part of a research paper on regional differences in evaluating economic growth and the various aspects that influence it. In this publication, the relationship between changes in corruption level and economic growth is analyzed, paying close regard to all countries of the world and taking Europe separately as a region with relatively consistent economic and social development levels. The author analyzes the average values and changes in gross domestic product (GDP) per capita based on purchasing-power-parity valuation (in US dollars) for 1998 – 2005 and the corruption perception index (CPI) of 1998 – 2007. When looking at data from all countries of the world and European countries, no interrelation can be observed between changes in CPI and GDP per capita. These values fluctuate independently of each other. The obtained results give rise to doubt whether CPI is a suitable indicator for determining the corruption level. The author concludes that assertions of negative (or positive) influence that corruption is said to have on GDP increase should be taken very critically.

The concept of the state fiscal policy is developed by the Ministry of Finance and the Ministry of Economics. The State Revenue Service (hereinafter - SRS) is the administrative body carrying out the fiscal policy in Latvia. Ensuring of tax revenue is the main operational task of the SRS. Based on the consideration that the tax revenue plan for the regions is drafted correctly, i.e. by taking into account the macroeconomic situation in the country and the research contains calculations of the regional budget revenue plan performance indicators which prove that the regional tax revenue planning method is efficient thus efficient tax administration is one of the main factors influencing tax revenue. Considerable part of the research is devoted to the role of the SRS and its operation in order to improve the tax administration efficiency. Polls concerning satisfaction of the SRS clients are carried out for this purpose. By evaluating the poll results it has been stated that by organising seminars for taxpayers the specific character of business in any particular region should be taken into account. It would be useful to organise thematic seminars about applying taxes in specific business areas. In Kurzeme region and Riga it would be efficient to organise seminars on applying of taxes for businesses dealing with international transportation by sea and businesses supplying goods and rendering services for ships which are used for navigation in international waters.

The paper includes economic research results on the second stage of land reform over the 10-year period (1996–2006) in the districts of Latgale region. The results explicitly stress the region's variability, therefore, the results are different, but common trends can be also observed. The number of land users has decreased, whereas that of land owners and the area of privatised land have increased. The total area of used and owned land has increased by 33.4% and exceeded a million hectares.