| dc.description.abstract | In this case study we have attempted to investigate the impact or effects of the villagization
programme in Ethiopia. The case study set out with three main objectives namely to identify
and assess the impact of the villagization programme on: (a) agricultural activities, (b)
homestead and housing conditions, and (c) access to services and infrastructure.
The field research work was conducted in Alaba woreda located in South-central
Ethiopiaabout 315 Kms. South of Addis Ababa, the Ethiopian Capital city. The study was
basedon a retrospective-comparative approach. In a pre-villagization-post-villagization design
villagized sample respondents furnished data on relevant study variables with regard to
conditionsbefore and after villagization. In addition to the villagized sample the study also
included a non-villagized sample for comparative purposes.
A two-stage sampling procedure was used to select the sample of the study. In the
first stage two peasant associations - one villagized and another one non-villagized- were
randomly selected from all peasant association in Alaba Woreda. In the second stage 400
respondents200 each from villagized and non-villagized sample peasant associations were
randomly selected.
The main method of date collection used for the study was household sample survey.
The study has also benefitted from documentary sources, informal discussions and personal
observations. The sample survey was based on interview schedules administered to villagized
and non- villagized respondents separately but on related items. Data were collected and
analyzed on the main areas of the objectives of the study indicated above as well as on the
economic and demographic background characteristics of the respondents. Under the areas of
the objectives of the study on the impact of villagization major variables were identified on
which some hypotheses were formulated and tested. The major findings of the study as
summarized under the main areas of the objectives of the study are given below
villagization and Agricultural Activities
In relation to agricultural/farming activities villagization was found out to have been
associated with (a) a significant increase in homestead-farm (farmstead - field) distance of
villagized households after villagization as compared to the pre-villagization and nonvillagized
conditions. This meant in turn a significant increase in the share of travel time in
farm labour time of villagized households after villagization as compared to the previllagization
and non-villagized conditions. (b) a significant decrease in the amount of
perennial crops tt'chat as an indicator) owned by villagized households in the previllagization
period compared to the pre-villagization and non-villagized conditions; (c) a
significant decline in the application of animal manure (as a fertilizer) on farmland among
villagized households as compared to the pre-villagization and non-villagized conditions; (d)
an increase in the level of exposure and damage of field crops by wild animals due to the
relocation of homesteads from formerly diverse locations in to one point and due to increased
homestead-farm distance which together allowed wild animals to move around more easily
and reduced protective measures.
Villagization and Homestead and Housing Conditions
In relation to homestead and housing conditions the findings of the study indicated that
villagization has been associated with, (a) a significant decrease in the homestead/compound
size of villagized households in the post-villagization period compared to the pre-villagization
or non-villagized conditions. The smallness of the size as well as the arrangement of
compounds in the village settlement as laid out on the basis of predetermined grid patterns
was found to be rigid and inflexible. This imposed various constraints on important activities
ordinarily carried out in the homestead such as livestock management, cultivation of garden
crops, processing and storage of crop harvests as well as increased human and livestock
disease and problems of holding public/social occasions; (b) a significant decrease in the size
of house/ dwelling of villagized households in the post-villagization period compared to the
pre-villagization and non-villagized conditions, (c) no tangible changes or improvements in
householdfacilities and practices such as separate kitchen, pit latrine, improved stove etc.,
which were supposed to be promoted in conjunction with villagization to enhance sanitary
living conditions among the target population.
Villagization and Access to Services and Infrastructure
The study found no tangible improvements in access to services and-infrastructure among
villagized households in post-villagization period compared to pre-villagization or nonvillagized conditions.
The idea of access to services and infrastructure in relation
villagization is commonly associated with the provision of new and comparatively expensive
facilities such as clinics, schools, road, electricity etc. It was rarely asked however, as to
what happened following villagization in th in ose important areas in the daily life of the
targetpopulation such as already existing sources of fuel wood and water. It is precisely in
these vital areas that the findings of the study indicated worsening conditions after
villagization. It is significant that access even in the sense of travel distances could not be
improved through villagization to some of the few facilities which already exist in rural areas
(e.g. service cooperative centre) let alone the provision of expensive schemes.
Asclearly stated in our conclusion in Chapter 7, villagization is no longer an active state
policyin Ethiopia. Given this condition we are not inclined to give detailed recommendations
for policy makers. However, the general policy relevant conclusion we arrived at in this
study is that conventional wisdom about the relationship between rural settlement patterns
and rural development can be misleading and dangerous. Any future intervention in rural
settlement patterns requires in depth prior studies on the relationship between rural settlement
patterns and farming systems. | en |
