Determinants of Pastoralists’ Livestock Income in ‘Amibara’ and ‘Gewane’ Districts of the Middle Awash, Southern Afar, Ethiopia

Abstract

Ethiopia is among the first ten nations in the world with respect to the livestock population. However, the benefit obtained from the sector is low compared to other African countries and the world standard. The economic gain for the pastoralists, who predominantly live on rearing livestock for their livelihood, is below the national average. Therefore, identifying the major determinant factors affecting income from livestock is needed to device appropriate development interventions to improve livestock income and thereby living standard of pastoralists. This study was conducted in Amibara and Gewane districts of Afar Region with major objective of analysing determinant factors affecting pastoralists’ livestock income. A random sampling procedure is used to select 10 PAs and 100 sample respondents. Primary data are collected from sample respondents through personal interview using structured interview schedule. Multiple Regression Model is used to identify variables capable of affecting the livestock income. The model results reveal that among 15 explanatory variables included in the model, 6 are found to be significant at the conventional levels of significance. Those variables which are important determinants of  livestock income are a) total livestock holding, b) access to credit, c) availability of grazing land, d) risk of predators, e) livestock breed type and f)  livestock mobility. Improving livestock production and productivity, organizing pastoralists into cooperatives, improving pastoralists’ access to and participation in the markets and managing associated risks of mobility are the recommendations forwarded.

Keywords: pastoralists, livestock, livestock income.