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A Gendered Sustainable Livelihoods Approach for Targeting Livestock Water Productivity (LWP) Improvement and Poverty Reduction in Mixed Crop Livestock System of Amhara, Ethiopia
ABSTRACT: It is well known that water is vital for a wide range of livelihood activities including domestic and productive needs. Access to adequate water supply would significantly contribute to poverty alleviation; lack of sufficient and reliable water may in some cases trigger poverty. In the mixed crop-livestock system, livestock are an integral part of the system and a basic asset for rural livelihoods. Water is equally important and is an essential input for crop and livestock production in this system. However, water scarcity is the feature of many rural livelihoods, which among others, is caused by mismanagement in livestock keeping, climate change and increasing demand pressure. Therefore, appropriate and targeted intervention is of paramount importance to address such problems related to rural poverty and thereby bring about economic, social and environmental improvements. This could be through improving water availability and its use efficiency and integration with livestock management. In this connection, improving Livestock Water Productivity (LWP) through the Multiple Use Service (MUS) approach can considerably contribute such improvements. This examines LWP from gendered livelihood perspectives in order to fill the socio-economic gap of the LWP framework, which mainly reflects the biophysical aspect.
The study was carried out in two case areas (Kuhar Michael Kebele and Lenche Dima Watershed) in the Amhara region, Ethiopia. Qualitative and quantitative data were collected between June 2008 and February 2010. A participatory gendered livelihood and poverty analysis was made using the Gendered Sustainable Livelihoods Framework (GSLF) and PRA tools. Thus, multiple use technology options were identified and targeted in an effort to suggest better ways to improve productivity, gendered livelihoods, environmental wellbeing and to ultimately alleviate poverty. The study also explored socio-economic and institutional gaps and solution options. In order to link technological options with socio-economic and institutional interventions, targets for LWP improvement programs were identified and characterized.
The findings of the comparative analysis show that farmer households are of different groups and have distinct livelihood wellbeing characteristics (poverty status). Poor households, especially women-headed and young farmers, were found to be a suitable target for LWP improvement programs. Nonetheless, a number of challenges were identified in relation to the implementation of such programs. Access to and ownership of basic resources like livestock; households’ interest, capability (financial as well as technical), preferences; institutions and socio-cultural issues were among the major limitations. On the other hand, absence of appropriate, cost-effective, and labor-saving technologies in relation to water and feed access; improper targeting of participants in livestock and water development programs; poor integration of diversified productive livelihood activities by households; limited awareness of the community with respect to the different services provided by governmental and non-governmental institutions are the other barriers identified in connection with keeping livestock and investing in LWP improvement programs for the poor farmers in general at the community level.
In recognition of the aforementioned challenges and limitations, it is vital for the target groups to have access to multifunctional animals. Likewise, intervening in improving awareness, resource access (like livestock inputs), technical support for diversified livestock and water-related activities, and improving institutional networks at both local and communal levels are necessary to improve the livelihoods of the poor and marginalized groups. Generally, an integrated and well targeted approach needs to be exercised in order to effectively implement LWP programs and successfully achieve the intended objectives.
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| Department |
ZEF C: Department of Ecology and Natural Resources Management |
| Research areas |
- Natural Resource Management
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| Research countries |
- Ethiopia
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| Research topic |
A Gendered Sustainable Livelihoods Approach for Targeting Livestock Water Productivity (LWP) Improvement and Poverty Reduction in Mixed Crop Livestock System of Amhara, Ethiopia |
| Degrees |
Educational Background: First Degree in Agriculture (Animal Science), Alemaya University, Ethiopia (1996-1999); Second Degree in International Fisheries Management from Norwegian Fisheries Collage, Tromso, Norway (2001-2003) |
| Professional experience |
Technical Assistant, Animal Husbandary and Fisheries Development Expert, Assistant Researcher, and Center manager for Fisheries Research Center at Regional level |
| Financially supported by |
BMZ (CGIAR) |
| Publications |
Gorden A. Sewmehon Demissie, and Melaku Tadesse..
2007.
Marketing System for Fish from Lake Tana, Ethiopia: Opportunities for improving marketing and livelihoods. IPMS (Improving Production and Market Success) of Ethiopian Farmers. Project Working Paper 2. ILRI , Nirobi, Kenya.
49 pp.
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Additionals, Curriculum Vitae
and Downloads |
CV updated in Nov. 2007.doc
Download [DOC | 49KB]
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