Livelihood Analysis: Vulnerability, Assets, Institutions and Strategies (The case of two Kebeles in Wuchale Woreda, North Shewa Zone, Oromia Regional State)
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Date
2007-08
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The principal objective of this study is to describe and analyze the inte'1Jlay amongst the
livelihood components that includes vulnerability context, asset ownership level, institutional
arrangements and livelihood strategies in explaining the existing socia-economic problems in two
Kebeles in north Shewa zone ofOromia Regional State This research is inspired by the fact that the study area exhibits the worst forms of poverty and
vulnerability to a range of natural shocks that highly impinge on the existing livelihood
conditions. Due to vulnerability to such facto rs as frost and waterlogging, peasants in the study
area lose up to 75% of their standing crops during harsh climatic conditions. More than 30 % of
the households living in the area do not have adequate food for more than six months a year. This
problem is jimher compounded by the fact that large segment of the population, more than 50 %.
are unable to read and write and with no other skill to diversify their livelihood means.
Vulnerability to shocks believed to be the major cause in perpetuating the existing low level of
living standard and poverty. The issue this study tries to discuss and address is that can this state
of affair be minimized and reversed witli an integrated approach? How for the existing
institutional arrangements playa facilitative 01' inhibitive role in extricating the people from the
existing appalling livelihood condition? What plausible livelihood options one can envisage in
minimizing the effect of vulnerability to the natural shocks? 1n tlying to understand and explain the existing socia-economic condition this study uses
Sustainable Livelihood Framework, which is a holistic approach alld address all issues ill a
multiple-scale style, to guide the whole data collection and analysis activities. Using this
framework all attempts were made to see the linkage amongst aI/livelihood components and tried
to see how for each of them are reinforcing each other in affecting poverty and vulnerability. In generating the required information the study has employed instruments from both qualitative
and quantitative research approaches. A house-to-house survey on 112 sampled households,
group discussions, in-depth interviews and observations were used in collecting the primOlY and
secondOlY data. The main findings indicate that the poor livelihood condition, as exacerbated by the existing
vulnerability context, finds its causes from different sources. All causes are velY much
intermingled in a number of ways. The poorest and the 1I10st vulnerable ones do not have the
startup capitnl and other support to initiate new ventures like livestock rearing and minimize
dependency on crop; governmental and other outside support for most surveyed families found to
be not adequate and unsustainable. Efforts in propagating such important livelihood means like
irrigation are extremely limited. The absence of the right institutional arrangements, the absence
of long term visionGlY plan (the current focus seems on piecemeal projects) and the less emphasis
in conSidering the various potentials found to be critical areas that needs serious rethinking and
attention so as to minimize the effect of vulnerability and improve the livelihood conditions .
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Keywords
Vulnerability, Assets Institutions