Determinants of Wage Labor Participation among the Afar Pastoralists: The Case of Amibara District

Getachew, Abraham (2004) Determinants of Wage Labor Participation among the Afar Pastoralists: The Case of Amibara District. Masters thesis, Addis Ababa University.

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Abstract

The pastoral sector in Afar region has supported the community for many years in the past. However, it has been facing a challenge for the past five decades after commercial irrigated farming was considered as a development intervention in the area. Due to the intervention, the Afar pastoralism underwent major transformation mainly because of the changes in land use. These changes undermined the functioning of the pastoral system. The overall process contributed to impoverishment, resource scarcity, vulnerability to drought and deepening ecological crisis. The deteriorating living conditions have forced the pastoral communities to diversify their activities by engaging in non-pastoral pursuits to supplement their income. Among these subsidiary income-generating activities, wage labor in the irrigated farms is one formal option. The purpose of this study was to assess the overall features of farm wage employment in general and its determinants in particular. To meet this objective, a household survey was undertaken during March 2004. The survey covered six Kebeles of Amibara district of Afar region. A multi-stage random sampling technique was used to select sample households. Descriptive and econometric methods were used to analyze the data. The descriptive analysis used included independent t-test, Chi-square test, frequencies, means and percentages. The econometric analysis applied logistic regression model. The survey result provided a glimpse of the importance of the sector for employment and its role in the survival of the household. But given the insignificant number of Afars in stable and better paying jobs, it is difficult to conclude that wage employment has resulted in a greater improvement in household well-being. In this regard, socio-economic factors and local characteristics were found to influence wage labor participation. The logit model indicated age, wealth and distance determined significantly and negatively, whereas education and attitude determined significantly and positively the probability of engaging in wage employment. Considering the importance of alterative employment opportunities in the future, promoting education and training as well as giving support to the pastoral and transport sector were recommended as strategies for success in promoting wage employment.

Item Type: Thesis (Masters)
Uncontrolled Keywords: Wage labor, Pastoralists, off-farm employment
Subjects: H Social Sciences > HT Communities. Classes. Races
H Social Sciences > HV Social pathology. Social and public welfare
Divisions: Africana
Depositing User: Tim Khabala
Date Deposited: 11 Sep 2018 09:24
Last Modified: 11 Sep 2018 09:24
URI: http://thesisbank.jhia.ac.ke/id/eprint/5087

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