Livelihood-Environment Nexus: The Reconciling Role of Permaculture, Case Study on Konso Woreda of Segen Peoples Zone in SNNPR, Ethiopia

Master's Thesis , 2012 , 103 Pages , Grade: 3.64

Politics - Topic: Development Politics

This thesis titled ‘Livelihood-Environment Nexus: The Reconciling Role of permaculture, Case study in Konso Woreda’ is an attempt to assess the practice of permaculture in Konso woreda in the context of the livelihood and environment condition of the woreda. The study is targeted to the assessment of the role of permaculture in reconciling livelihood-environment interaction as a general objective, and to examine the role of permaculture in improving livelihood conditions as well as in protecting the environment and to investigate how the environment can be managed for the sustainability of livelihood as specific objectives. It is believed that the corresponding research questions which are posed at the initiation of the study are answered to meet the stated objectives. In order to get deeper information on the issue an exclusively qualitative research methodology with purposive sampling technique in which the major participants were farmers and teachers was employed. The data collection tools used includes in-depth interview, key informant interview, focus group discussion, observation and secondary data. Accordingly, the study has tried to examine the context in which permaculture was introduced in Konso woreda and the progress of permaculture from the view point of major indicators like impact on the environment, productivity and income generation . The study has also tried to assess the practice of permaculture as livelihood strategy in Konso area based on DFID’s SLF and the theory of agro-ecological approach. Through these investigations and logical analysis the study came to the finding that there are improvements in environment condition, productivity and income which indicates the potential of permaculture to influence the livelihood and environment improvement of the study area. It has also brought new knowledge which can foster the long lasted and appreciated indigenous knowledge of the study area. It was also identified that there is no well organized interaction and involvement of concerned stakeholders on the practice in the study area. Based on this the study came to the conclusion that if things are plain, permaculture has the potential to bring improvement on the natural capital which can ultimately leads to improvement in productivity (secured food) and can contribute to the buildup of other livelihood assets.

Key words: Livelihood, Environment, Permaculture

Inhaltsverzeichnis (Table of Contents)

• Chapter One: Introduction
• 1.1. Background and rational of the study
• 1.2. Statement of the problem
• 1.3. Objective of the study
• 1.3.1. General objective
• 1.3.2. Specific objectives
• 1.4. Research questions
• 1.5. Significance of the study
• 1.6. Limitation of the study
• 1.7. Organization of the Study
• Chapter Two: Literature Review
• 2.1. The concept of livelihood and Environment
• 2.2. The Link between Environment and Livelihood.
• 2.3. Approaches towards Environment and Livelihood
• 2.3.1. Sustainable Livelihood Approach
• 2.3.2. Sustainable Agriculture Approach
• 2.4. The Role of Governance in Livelihood and Environmental Strategies
• 2.5. Permaculture
• 2.5.1. Understanding the Concept Permaculture
• 2.5.2. Principles and Ethics of Permaculture
• 2.5.3. The Concept of Zoning in Permaculture
• 2.5.4. Soil Improvement and Plant Management in Permaculture
• 2.5.5. Livelihood in Permaculture
• Chapter Three: Background of the Study Area
• 3.1. Location, topography, and population
• 3.2. Climate
• 3.3. Socioeconomic Condition of the People.
• 3.4. Agriculture System
• 3.5. Environment Condition of the Area
• 3.6. The Problem of Food Insecurity
• Chapter Four: Methodology
• 4.1. Selection of the study site and Sampling Techniques
• 4.2. Types and Sources of Data and Tools of Data Collection
• 4.3. Method of Data analysis
• Chapter Five: Presentation and Discussion
• 5.1. Vulnerability and Roots of Vulnerability
• 5.2. Progress and Achievements
• 5.2.1. Impact on Attitude
• 5.2.2. Impact on Environment
• 5.2.3. Outcomes on Productivity
• 5.2.4. Outcomes on Income Generation
• 5.2.5. New knowledge Obtained
• 5.2.6. Integration with Local Knowledge
• 5.2.7. Expansion of the Practice
• 5.2.8. The Involvement of Stakeholders
• 5.2.9. Opportunities and Obstacles.
• 5.3. The Practice of Permaculture in Konso under the Lens of DFID'S Sustainable Livelihood Framework and Agro-ecological Approach
• 5.3.1. A Look through DFID's SLF
• 5.3.2. From Agro-ecological Perspective

Zielsetzung und Themenschwerpunkte (Objectives and Key Themes)

This thesis aims to investigate the role of permaculture in reconciling the livelihood-environment nexus in the Konso Woreda of Segen Peoples Zone in SNNPR, Ethiopia. It examines the impact of permaculture practices on the local community, focusing on its ability to improve livelihoods and address environmental challenges. Key themes explored in this study include: * **The Livelihood-Environment Nexus:** The interconnectedness of livelihood strategies and environmental sustainability. * **Permaculture as a Reconciling Approach:** The potential of permaculture to address the challenges and opportunities presented by the livelihood-environment nexus. * **Impact of Permaculture on Livelihoods:** The effects of permaculture on factors such as food security, income generation, and overall well-being. * **Environmental Sustainability in Permaculture:** The contribution of permaculture practices to the protection and restoration of the local environment. * **Integration of Local Knowledge:** The importance of incorporating traditional ecological knowledge into permaculture practices.

Zusammenfassung der Kapitel (Chapter Summaries)

Chapter One introduces the study, providing background information on the livelihood-environment nexus and the challenges faced by the Konso Woreda. It outlines the problem statement, objectives, research questions, significance, limitations, and the organization of the study. Chapter Two explores relevant literature, focusing on concepts such as livelihoods, environment, sustainable livelihoods, sustainable agriculture, governance, and permaculture. It examines the principles and ethics of permaculture, its application in improving livelihoods, and its potential for environmental sustainability. Chapter Three provides a detailed description of the study area, including its location, topography, population, climate, socioeconomic conditions, agricultural systems, environmental conditions, and the problem of food insecurity. Chapter Four outlines the methodology used in the study, detailing the selection of the study site, sampling techniques, types and sources of data, tools of data collection, and methods of data analysis. Chapter Five presents and discusses the findings of the study, analyzing the impact of permaculture on local livelihoods, environmental sustainability, and the integration of local knowledge. It examines the achievements and challenges of permaculture implementation in the Konso Woreda through the lens of the DFID's Sustainable Livelihood Framework and the agro-ecological approach.

Schlüsselwörter (Keywords)

The central focus of this thesis revolves around the complex interplay between livelihoods and the environment, particularly within the context of permaculture practices in the Konso Woreda. This interdisciplinary study draws on concepts such as sustainable livelihoods, agro-ecology, and local knowledge systems to explore the potential of permaculture to address the challenges and opportunities presented by the livelihood-environment nexus. Key terms and themes include: livelihood-environment nexus, permaculture, sustainable livelihoods, agro-ecology, food security, environmental sustainability, local knowledge, and community development.

• College: Hawassa University (School of Law and Governance, Department of Governance and Developemnt Studies)
• Grade: 3.64
• Author: Tariku Sagoya Gashute (Author)
• Publication Year: 2012
• Pages: 103
• Catalog Number: V200544
• ISBN (eBook): 9783656301011
• ISBN (Book): 9783656301622
• Language: English
• Tags: livelihood-environment, nexus, reconciling, role, permaculture, case, study, konso, woreda, segen, peoples, zone, snnpr, ethiopia