RESETTLEMENT AS A DEVELOPMENT PROJECT FOR PASTORALIST COMMUNITIES IN ETHIOPIA

Abstract

: Resettlement programme has become an integral part of the national economic and social development programme in Ethiopia.Villagization has been considered as one of the key and quickest ways to achieve food security in a short and medium-terms and socio-economic development in the long run and the Ethiopian government considers villagization as a final strategy to transform the life of pastoralists. The purpose of this study was to examine the extent to which villagization programme in Afar Regional State has helped in transforming the socio-economic life of pastoralist communities. The study used explanatory research designs. Data for this study were collected through qualitative methods like informant interviews, observation, focus group discussions and document analysis. Ninety-six participants were interviewed and eight focus group discussions were conducted. The qualitative dataset was thematically analyzed through deductive identification of themes. The central argument of this study is that villagization programme in Afar Regional State didn't not achieved its intended purpose, improving the living conditions of pastoralist communities due tofailure of the government to fulfill the necessary inputs and services, pastoralists' and regional leaders' negative attitude towards the programme and absence of proper organizational structure of the unit responsible to follow up and coordinate the implementation of villagization programme.The researcher recommended that the government has to fulfill the necessary inputs and infrastructures; sufficient awareness has to be created among the community to get their consent and to make the programme meet its purpose.