Determinants of Pastoralists Participation in Alternative Livelihoods: The Case of Amibara Woreda of Afar Region

Afar Regional State is the fourth largest region (99,646.54 km2 area) in Ethiopia, located northeastern part of country. It shares boundaries with Tigray, Amhara, Oromia, and Ethio-Somali Regions Ethiopia also borders Djibouti Eritrea (Afar Atlas . 2014 ). Most Region has a harsh dry landscape largely covered by desert scrubland. The entire classified under Pastoral Agro-pastoralist production system. About 7.0% total area suitable for crop production; 22.4% could be developed agricultural activity land use policy 2008 economy poorly diversified not well integrated market. pastoralists have witnessed growing concern over extreme vulnerability declining change traditional livelihood system (Tufts 2019 This mainly due to multifaceted driving forces such as access land, demographic changes, climate events, market other drivers. Among others, posed huge challenge; most noticed variables are distributions inconstancy rain fall (Shekuru et al. , 2020 ), increased temperatures recurrent prolonged droughts (Fekadu, 2015 ;). These aggravated stock loss impoverishment, food insecurity conflict. Afars highly few alternative economic activities, although rangeland resources contribute activities past support household during crises. However, it been observed that increasingly participating livelihoods adapt changes. Dependence on shown trends ) while livestock ownership often concentrated among wealthier households (Catley 2017 Alternative included this study which relatively safe working environment, takes place without harmful social or environmental consequences include certain types business development those capital credit related employment (Little 2016). rising security region, government partners promoting livelihoods. Development Policy 2018 aimed at enhancing one paths pastoralist development. Further, number studies were done different corner pastoral areas. Few literatures available determinates participation livelihoods; and, information no works had so far area. Moreover, examining provide clear improving enabling environment through improvement skill training finance, entrepreneurship technical support. Due above-mentioned facts, focused assessing determinants pastoralists’ perception towards objective paper examine analyzing DOI: 10.7176/JPID/61-01 Publication date: January 31 st 2022