Forest Management Cooperatives and the Rural Youth

Abstract

About 1.1 billion people earn less than one dollar per day, and they face daily risks and hardships that determine their very survival, which makes poverty a global problem (source). Ethiopia has a rapidly growing human population of about 80 million, largely dependent on low-productivity and rain-fed agriculture. Ethiopia’s economy is based on agriculture which contributes about 85% of employment and 45% of the Gross Domestic products (GDP) (source). The level and distribution of poverty in Ethiopia is extensive. Though there are so many factors which results deep rooted poverty, lack of sustainable natural resource management and deforestation is the main cause of food insecurity and poverty. The relationship between poverty and environment is characterized as a “vicious circle” or a “downward spiral”.Forests Cooperatives play an important role in the livelihoods of rural people as a subsistence safety net, and as a source of cash income, a capital asset, and a source of employment.

This study has tried to assess the contribution of forest cooperatives in reducing poverty in woreda Medbay Zana, Northern West of Tigray Zone, Ethiopia. The study also explored constraints faced by rural youth in managing forest resource to sustain their livelihood. A multi-stage stratified random sampling procedure was used to obtain sample households. Qualitative as well as quantitative assessments were used. Propensity score matching method of analysis was used to analyze the data and impact of the forest cooperatives. The result of the study showed that the participation behavior of landless households in forest management cooperative is influenced by economic, institutional, physical and attitudinal factors and the Forest Management cooperative significantly reduces the level of poverty. The study recommended that a policy that ensures security of forest land holding by the landless farmers is vital if the forest management efforts are to be successful.

Key words: Forest management, Cooperatives, Rural youth, Poverty reduction, income, livestock