Abstract:
This thesis deals with to examine the Socio-economic Effects of Large scale Plantation on Local
Community: The Case of Wonji Shoa Sugar plantation, Eastern Oromia Region. The study was
conducted with the general objective of addressing the socio-economic effects of the plantation
on the local community. To carry out this research, mixtures of qualitative and quantitative
methods (mixed method approach) were employed. A case study research designs were used for
detail description of the factory on the local community.
The questionnaires were distributed to 353 sampled households. The study employed simple random
sampling technique for the sampled respondents; whereas, the respondents for interview
and focus group discussants were selected purposively.
The study revealed that the factory has given no adequate consideration to the local community
as it failed to allow their participation right from its establishment. Besides, it is also found out
that the plantation has negative effects on the local communities economy in terms of loss of
grazing land, crop land, reduced livestock production, insufficiency of food security, reduction of
small households’ income, lack of proper compensation and relocation all of which have negatively
affected
livelihoods
of
the
residents.
Moreover,
the
plantation
also
negatively
affected
the
social
life
of
the
local
community.
The
study
also
revealed
that
due
to
the
establishment
and
expansion
of large
scale
sugar
plantation
local
community
lost
land use
right,
land
ownership,
lose
of
natural
forest, shortage
of farm
land and lose
of biodiversity.
Beside
to
economic
and
social
effects,
the
dislocated
household
were
unable
adopt
better
livelihood
system
to
stabilize
their
life.
Generally,
the
study
highlighted
that
the
expansion
of
plantation
has
had
negative
impacts
on
the
economic
and
social
life
on;
Didimtu
kebele
dwellers.
Finally,
the
study
recommends
the
how
of
the
socio-economic
effects
of
the
plantation
on
the
local
community
can
be
addressed.
This
includes
the
responsibility
of
the
government
to
safeguard
the
interests
of
the
local
communities,
to participate them in all stages of the project to benefit or
minimize the risk and to compensate for the loss of their land.
