Community Based Local Economic Development: The Case of Awra Small Scale lITigation Project, Awra Woreda Afar National Regional State

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Date

2008-11

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Addis Ababa University

Abstract

The research attempts to deal with problems associated with institutional arrangements and capacities at different administrative hierarchy and sector development bureaus in Zone 4 Awra Woreda in Afar National Regional State, in initiation, planning, design, construction, operation and maintenance of community based small-scale irrigation project. Th is study aimed at investigating the nature, mechanism and prospects of community based local economic development with a focus on small-scale irrigation project in selected case study area in pastoral Afar. The specific objectives of the study were: To identifY and explain the role of the different actors in small-sale irrigation project, to determine what supporting services arrangement were put in place to help the pastoratist engage in irrigated farming activities ,to determine how clan based land tenure and resources use systems do affect irrigation farming practices and scheme development and to asses the contribution of the irrigation scheme to improving the food security of the households in the study area. The study pursued qualitative and quantitative approach to achieve the study's objectives. Different but complementary data collection techniques such as document review, group discussions key informants interview and sample survey were used for data collection. The Data were analyzed using SPSS by entering pre- and post-coded data from the household survey questionnaires. These data were analyzed using tabulation and cross-tabulation with frequency and percentage value. The study reveals that encouraging efforts were being made by the NGO and government at regional and Woreda level to enhance participatory approach in the course of the development of the study scheme. Nevertheless, the participatory approach pursued was not based on institutional framework for the initiation, planning, implementation and operation and management activities of small-scale irrigation activities. The study reveals that the local communities were not adequately involved in decision making at the different stage of the project management cycles. The prevailing clan based land tenure and resources use systems may negatively affected the irrigation activities and become threat for continuity of irrigation farming activities unless corrective measures are taken with the active participation of members of the different sub clans in the study area. Despite the minimal involvement of the local community, it is revealed that the project has contributedfor improving the food security of the irrigators.

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Based Local Economic Development

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