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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Keywords
Based Local Economic Development