Livelihood Strategies In Ethiopia Case Study

1. INTRODUCTION

1.1. Background of the Study

Ethiopia with an estimated population of 86 million of which about 83% are rural population is an agrarian country (CSA, 2009). It is a multi-ethnic country with diverse geographic and climatic conditions, rich traditions and a complex history. The agricultural sector plays an important role in the national economy, livelihood and socio-cultural system of the country. The sector supports 85 percent of the population, constitutes 43 percent of Gross Domestic Product (GDP), and 80 percent of export value (GOE, 2010). It has about 51.3 million hectares of arable land but only about 11.7 million hectares is currently cultivated, just about 23% of the total cultivable area (MoARD, 2010). This indicates

Household livelihoods strategies they use to create them are at the centre of development and for poor people living in poor rural areas wellbeing mean just having enough to eat, shelter for their members and a basic level of security. However the livelihood strategies that they develop to ensure their livelihoods will depend on how they can combine their livelihood assets, taking in to account the vulnerability context in which they live, and the policies, institutions and processes that affect them (Ellis, 2000). Livelihood analysis, using an asset framework could help foster appreciation of the way that combination of these assets and activities are vital to secure

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