Contributions of Prickly Pear Cactus Towards Achieving Household Food Security in Tigray Region of Ethiopia: The Case of Tabla Kihen Kilte A Wlaelo Woreda.
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Date
2009-07
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
Kihen, Ihe sludy site, is characterized by lang periods of drought and unreliable rainfall
compounded by excessive human and livestock pressures. Farmers adopt different coping
mechanisms, such as the introduction of prickly pear, popularly known as Beles. The main
objective of this research was therefore, to assess the contribution of caclus to household food
security and 10 identify the major production and marketing constraints. Because of Ihe aboveaverage
endowment with the prickly pear caClus, and as it is one of the major cactus growing
tabias (Kebelles) in Kilte Awlaelo Woreda (Eastern zone of the Tigray region), the tabia Kihen,
was selected purposely. Three villages are included under the tabia and sample households were
taken from all the three villages. Based on the sampling frame, household heads were stratified
inlo cactus-growers and non-growers. A systematic random sampling method was used to select
120 respondents, of which 90 were cactus grower and thirty non-grower household heads. A
structured questionnaire was used to collect the data. The data was collected using household
survey and key informant interviews and focus group discussions. A number of statistical
methods, descriptive as well as multivariate models, were employed to interpret the data. The
descriptive analysis revealed thai, of the overall contribution of the different coping strategies in
filling the food gaps, safety-nel followed by cactus stood as the most important coping
mechanisms among the cactus growers. On the other hand, among the non-growers, large share
of the rating goes to safety-net. The multiple regression analysis using total income as a
dependent variable against other determinant factors revealed that variables such as oxen
ownership, TLU, farm size and cactus holding have a positive and significant influence to the
probability of increased income level in the study area, in agreement with a priori expectations.
To identify a useful subset of predictors that well discrim inate among cactus growers based on
their income from cactus sell as a fruit and feed, a stepwise regression analysis was run.
Apparently, cactus holding and family size showed a positive and significanl value whereas
gender showed a negalive bUI significanl association wilh income of the grower households. In
the ordered probit regression analysis, excepl donkey ownership, variables such as TLU, farm
size and cactus holding are positively and significantly associated wilh Ihe increasing level of
income. The linear discriminanl analysis also supported Ihe result obtained by ordered probit
regression modellhal variables such as growers/non-growers grouping, cactus holding, farm size
and TLU showed Ihe highest loading and is important variables in discriminating the households
based on the tolal income oblained from various sources including caclus. Taking togelher the
income obtained from cactus, crop and animal production, almosl all cactus grower farmers lend
10 have better income Ihan Ihe non-growers do. The currenl study revealed Ihal cactus is the
major source of food, livestock feed and income in the study tabia. The income collecled from the
sale of caclus is helping the caclus growers to cover the cost of household items, covering school
fee for their children, and cost of other necessities. Therefore, efforts that improve the
management and utilization of the cactus crop in the tabia could help attain food security, and
improve the livelihood of the cactus grower households in tabia Kihen. The women-headed
households were also found to benefit 1II0re from the cultivation of caclus as compared to the
male-headed households. This is a good indication thai any support Ihat help to boosl cactus
production, management and post-harvest handling and improved access and marketing network
will ultimately increase the income and benefit of women-headed households from caclus.
Improving access 10 markel and transportation facility, improving post harvesl handling
practices and reliable market could enable the farmers to selilheir produce at reasonable prices
with improvement in their bargaining power as well as reducing losses that could occur during
the transportation and marketing of Ihe fruit. The socioeconomic factors associated with cactus
production, that affects the household income, and possible policy directions and incentive
strategies are discussed
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Keywords
Achieving Household Food Security