Small-scale Irrigation and Rural Livelihood Diversification in North-eastern Ethiopia. A case study of Alawuha Irrigation Scheme in Gubalafto Woreda, North Wollo
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Date
2009-06
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
The study was envisaged with the objectives of investigating extent and determinants of rural livelihood
diversification at household level and exploring contribution and constraints of irrigation for rural
livelihood diversification in Gubalafio Woreda taking Alawuha small-scale irrigation as a case. For this
purpose a two- stage stratified sampling procedure was employed to select 113 sample households from
two sample kebeles. Data were gathered using structured questionnaire, FGD and key informants
interview through semi-structured checklist Extent of household livelihood diversification was estimated
using livelihood diversification index and it revealed that out of the total 133 sample households, 61
households (54%) were found in the lowest income quartiles(less diversified) groups while the remaining
52 households (46%) were found in the top income quartiles (diversified). Descriptive statistics and
binary logit regression model were employed for analysis.
The results of the study showed that onj'arm, off-farm, non-farm, employment and migration were the
major livelihood activities and income sources of sample households. However, there are important
dijJerences in the number of income sources and amount of return among sample households. The binary logit
model results disclosed that among 17 explanatory variables included in the model, six (income from
employment, farm experience, distance to market center, income from irrigated land, total size of irrigable
land and income from offj'arm activities) have significant effect on household livelihood diversification.
Small-scale irrigation has a vital role on rural household livelihood diversification but the study disclosed
that Alawuha irrigation scheme has constrained by different technical, management and socia-economic
problems. These calls, policy interventions that are spearheaded by the government in order to enact,
implement and follow up poliCies geared towards sustainable use of the scheme. Moreover, due attention
and policy consideration has to be given by government to those Significant variables which have a
potential impact in determining household livelihood diversification in the study area.
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Keywords
Rural Livelihood, Diversification in North-eastern Ethiopia