“ASSESSING THE IMPACT OF FOOD AID ON LIVESTOCK PRODUCTION IN AFAR REGION; ETHIOPIA THE CASE OF GEWANE WOREDA”

Abstract

Having a better understanding on the impacts of food aid on the asset of pastoralist at micro level is required for the organization of technical research. Consequently, this study is expected to generate ideas that would be useful to reveal the factors affected the impacts food aid and identify the impacts of food aid on livestock production of the pastoralist households in the study area. This study was undertaken in Gewane district of Afar National Regional State. From ten Kebeles found in the district one kebeles from pastoralists and one Kebele from agro-pastoralist kebele were selected purposively, Totally 385 households were selected proportionally random sampling for the interview by preparing structured questioner. In addition to this, focus group members and key informants were selected to get dialed information. In the study area, the improper beneficiary targeting were practiced in the time of targeting, lack of effective food management system leads to malpractice of food aid, concentration of distribution site at center which enforces the pastoralists to travel long distances and incurs high transportation cost on the food. The livestock supply decreased and the price of livestock increased after food aid. In addition to these, after food aid the livestock supply in the market decreased and the consumption patterns of community in the study area were improved. Based on the collected data the result showed, there were many factors affecting food aid negatively in the study area. in the other hand the food aid had positive impact on livestock price and supply for the pastoralists who sell their livestock , but the livestock holding were decreased after food aid it means that food aid is not only responsible factor to increase or decrease the livestock holding there was other factors un mentioned According the above conclusion, the factors affect the food aid negatively should be arranged, the livestock market improved and other factors is not assessed in this study which affect the livestock holding should be identified