Socioeconomic Factors Affecting People’s Participation in Rural Development Projects: The Case of Bio-fuel project at Tanqua-Abergele and Kola-Tembien Districts of Central Tigray Zone, Ethiopia

Abstract

The main objective of this study is to examine the socio-economic factors that affect participation of local communities of Tanqua-Abergele and Kola-Tembien districts of the Central Zone of Tigray region in development projects. Multistage sampling has been exercised in this study. Thus, a total of 164 respondents have been used as source of information. Both qualitative and quantitative methods of data collection are employed. The collected data have been examined, categorized and analyzed qualitatively and quantitatively in line with the research objectives. The study revealed that economic and environmental benefits of the bio-fuel development project were not perceived enough by the local community. It was found that predominantly projects were decided and prioritized by tabia leaders. Income earning base and information/knowledge are found to be the major factors that affect community participation in development projects. Finally, the study recommended that bringing about attitudinal change and community consultation should be priority interventions. Community should participate starting from idea generation throughout a project cycle. Further, different product outputs should be introduced to increase the price for the oilseeds. Individual farmers should also be made to use their marginal lands for bio-fuel plantation and local leaders should be role models in this regard.