Adapting to drought: how do public works affect conservation and labor engagement in rural Ethiopia?
Abstract This paper explores the effects of public works on soil and water conservation practices and labor participation in rural Ethiopia, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals for life on land. By using unbalanced panel data across three periods (2011/12, 2013/14, and 2015/16), this...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Springer
2025-03-01
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| Series: | Discover Sustainability |
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| Online Access: | https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-00942-2 |
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| author | Gemeda Olani Akuma Gunnar Köhlin Fantu Guta |
| author_facet | Gemeda Olani Akuma Gunnar Köhlin Fantu Guta |
| author_sort | Gemeda Olani Akuma |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Abstract This paper explores the effects of public works on soil and water conservation practices and labor participation in rural Ethiopia, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals for life on land. By using unbalanced panel data across three periods (2011/12, 2013/14, and 2015/16), this study examines the relationship between drought and public works employment, utilizing satellite-based Enhanced Vegetation Index anomalies as a proxy for drought shock. Findings indicate that public works positively impact soil and water conservation practices despite concerns about crowding out individual efforts. Moreover, participation in public works increases labor allocation to agricultural activities while reducing hours in non-agricultural work. This shift suggests that public works can promote sustainable land use and enhance food security. The study highlights the role of public works employment within the Productive Safety Net Program in improving resource conservation and livelihoods, emphasizing its potential as a pathway for sustainable development in rural areas facing environmental challenges like drought. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-ecd7a8f0bb4d400ca5a55f024279d618 |
| institution | DOAJ |
| issn | 2662-9984 |
| language | English |
| publishDate | 2025-03-01 |
| publisher | Springer |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Discover Sustainability |
| spelling | doaj-art-ecd7a8f0bb4d400ca5a55f024279d6182025-08-20T02:56:10ZengSpringerDiscover Sustainability2662-99842025-03-016113810.1007/s43621-025-00942-2Adapting to drought: how do public works affect conservation and labor engagement in rural Ethiopia?Gemeda Olani Akuma0Gunnar Köhlin1Fantu Guta2Department of Economics, Addis Ababa UniversityEnvironment for Development, University of GothenburgDepartment of Economics, Addis Ababa UniversityAbstract This paper explores the effects of public works on soil and water conservation practices and labor participation in rural Ethiopia, aligning with the UN Sustainable Development Goals for life on land. By using unbalanced panel data across three periods (2011/12, 2013/14, and 2015/16), this study examines the relationship between drought and public works employment, utilizing satellite-based Enhanced Vegetation Index anomalies as a proxy for drought shock. Findings indicate that public works positively impact soil and water conservation practices despite concerns about crowding out individual efforts. Moreover, participation in public works increases labor allocation to agricultural activities while reducing hours in non-agricultural work. This shift suggests that public works can promote sustainable land use and enhance food security. The study highlights the role of public works employment within the Productive Safety Net Program in improving resource conservation and livelihoods, emphasizing its potential as a pathway for sustainable development in rural areas facing environmental challenges like drought.https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-00942-2DroughtFood securityPublic worksResource conservationHousehold laborEthiopia |
| spellingShingle | Gemeda Olani Akuma Gunnar Köhlin Fantu Guta Adapting to drought: how do public works affect conservation and labor engagement in rural Ethiopia? Discover Sustainability Drought Food security Public works Resource conservation Household labor Ethiopia |
| title | Adapting to drought: how do public works affect conservation and labor engagement in rural Ethiopia? |
| title_full | Adapting to drought: how do public works affect conservation and labor engagement in rural Ethiopia? |
| title_fullStr | Adapting to drought: how do public works affect conservation and labor engagement in rural Ethiopia? |
| title_full_unstemmed | Adapting to drought: how do public works affect conservation and labor engagement in rural Ethiopia? |
| title_short | Adapting to drought: how do public works affect conservation and labor engagement in rural Ethiopia? |
| title_sort | adapting to drought how do public works affect conservation and labor engagement in rural ethiopia |
| topic | Drought Food security Public works Resource conservation Household labor Ethiopia |
| url | https://doi.org/10.1007/s43621-025-00942-2 |
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