GENDER DIMENSIONS IN AGRO-PASTORAL PRODUCTION SYSTEM: THE CASE OF JIGJIGA WOREDA, SOMALI REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

his study addresses the gender dimensions in agro-pastoral production system, the case of Jigjiga Woreda, Somali Regional State, Ethiopia, focusing and identifying on the agro pastoral gender division of labor, access to, and control over resources. An interview schedule was used to collect primary data from four Kebeless, which were selected randomly from the agro-pastoral areas of the woreda. For this study, a total 120 households were selected using probability proportional to size from the four KAs. In the study, personal interviews were used for quantitative data collection, and focus group discussion and key informant interviews were used for qualitative data collection. The data were analysed using descriptive statistics. The study findings show that males of agro pastoral HHs carried out major tasks in agricultural and livestock production. In livestock rearing, females have an important activities and decisive role to all the domestic tasks. Males and females had distinct share in whole practices of agro-pastoral community. However, noticeable variations were observed in access to production resources by MHHs and FHHs. Specifically important economic resources such as agricultural land, and large animal’s possession often vested with MHHs. Less valued items from livestock products such as, milk, butter, egg including poultry and non-economic resources such as housewares were totally governed by females. Males centrally control over the major farmland and household resources, which ensure to hold the overall decision-making power within households. Access to services such as extension, technologies and other social services was very limited. FHHs, being economically poor and having limited with no alternative options they were found always under burden in agro-pastoral areas. To bring about relief and development in the agro-pastoral households of the area, increasing awareness, improving access to education, extension services, and gender development programmes are suggested.