The Impact of Donkey Ownership on the Livelihoods of Female Peri-Urban Dwellers in Ethiopia

Abstract

This paper is based on an impact assessment of a donkey provision programme in Ethiopia. The work was carried out in 2001 as part of a DFID Livestock Production Programme project 'Use and management of donkeys by poor societies in peri-urban areas in Ethiopia'. In order to establish whether donkey ownership was a cause or an effect of improved livelihoods, an investigation was carried out that compared non-donkey-owning households with households that had owned no donkey until they were given one by a local NGO. Indicators that poor people use to express their well-being, wealth and health status (components of their livelihoods) were identified and used to compare communities. Guidelines were prepared for project managers for carrying out livelihood indicator identification and impact assessment. The results showed that the informants used a range of indicators to assess their livelihoods. A selection of these were investigated in depth, including number of children per household attending school, number of people per household earning an income, type and quantity of staple foods bought, and ability to save. A trend was identified that demonstrated that donkey owners' livelihoods were improved compared to non-donkey owners.

Understanding the Attitudes of Communities to the Social, Economic, and Cultural Importance of Working Donkeys in Rural, Peri-urban, and Urban Areas of Ethiopia

“…Curran and Smith (28) study which explored the economic contribution of donkeys to households living in peri-urban areas of Addis Ababa, found that donkey owners expressed feelings of relief from the burden of carrying firewood and water. Participants also reported longer term gains from donkey ownership including children being released from their daily chores, and therefore having the opportunity to go to school (28). Participant number 20 explained the differences in her life from not owning to owning a donkey:…”

The Emerging Trade in Donkey Hide: An Opportunity or a Threat for Communities in Kenya?

“…Across Africa donkeys are commonly used for a range of work, they are often owned by smallholder farmers, pastoralists and small-scale entrepreneurs in the transport sector [3]. For example, in Ethiopia, which has one of the largest equine populations globally [1], donkeys are used in both urban and rural areas to transport goods from markets [6]. In Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, donkeys are commonly used to carry produce from rural areas to markets in the city [6].…”

“…For example, in Ethiopia, which has one of the largest equine populations globally [1], donkeys are used in both urban and rural areas to transport goods from markets [6]. In Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, donkeys are commonly used to carry produce from rural areas to markets in the city [6]. A study which explored the economic contribution of donkeys to households living on the outskirts of Addis Ababa, found that 39% of households who had recently acquired a donkey stated that their income had improved [6].…”

“…In Ethiopia's capital Addis Ababa, donkeys are commonly used to carry produce from rural areas to markets in the city [6]. A study which explored the economic contribution of donkeys to households living on the outskirts of Addis Ababa, found that 39% of households who had recently acquired a donkey stated that their income had improved [6]. Households also said that they felt relief from the burden of carrying firewood and water; longer term impacts included children being released from their daily chores, and therefore having the opportunity to go to school [6].…”

“…A study which explored the economic contribution of donkeys to households living on the outskirts of Addis Ababa, found that 39% of households who had recently acquired a donkey stated that their income had improved [6]. Households also said that they felt relief from the burden of carrying firewood and water; longer term impacts included children being released from their daily chores, and therefore having the opportunity to go to school [6]. Similarly, in Mali a survey of donkey owners found that donkeys provide an important economic contribution to people's livelihoods.…”