The Expansion of Floriculture Industry and its Livelihood Impacts on Local People: the case of Holeta Town and its Surrounding Areas, Oromia Regional State
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Date
2012-05
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Addis Ababa University
Abstract
More often, many developing countries are in need of heighted investment activities for the associoted benefit in employment and income generation. Nevertheless, despite its positive
impact pertaining to employment, there hardly been sustained effects on the livelihood of
local communities. To this end, the study principally examined the impact of floriculture
industry on the livelihood of local people at Holeta town surrounding areas. To achieve this
objective, the study employed Cernea 's IRR model. In doing so, the study used, interview, key
informant discussion, observation and focus group discussion.
The result of the study revealed that due to the floriculture investment 253-farm households
were displaced in four kebeles of Holeta town administration. The dislocation program
negatively affected the livelihood of the displaced households. In this case, economic
dependency, loss of diverse income sources, and changes in livelihood system resulted from
the displacement. Furthermore, the study denoted that elders, women, youths and children
are major victims of the altered livelihood system. The compensation schemes implemented in
response to loss of asset are insignificant to changed livelihoods system. Consequently, the
expansion of flower farms investment and associated displacements exposed households to
landlessness, health problem, joblessness, loss of access to common property resources,
marginalization, social disarticulation and food insecurity. The coping mechanisms or
strategies adopted by the majority of the displaced households are unable to either maintain
or foster diverse sources of income to adapt the new situation of life. The displacement of
local people for the purpose of floriculture investment needs participation of all stakeholders
in planning, monitoring and implementation. This will bring mutual benefit to all concerned
and make viable sustainable livelihoods alternatives for displaced household, and thereby
create better socia-economic development at grass root level.
Keywords: The Impact of Floriculture Industry, Displacement, Livelihood Resources, Local
households
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Keywords
The Impact of Floriculture Industry, Displacement, Livelihood Resources, Local households