An Assessment of Environmental-resources Base for the Development and Well-being in Eritrea: A Case Study of Adi Keih Subzone

Abstract

People in developing countries are most part agrarian and pastoral folk. They heavily rely on the bio-mass-based subsistence economies around them. The rural folk eke out a living from products obtained directly from plants and animals. This is particularly significant for marginal groups, who tend to rely more directly on their environment for survival. In this research paper researchers have tried to assess environmental resource base in Adi Keih subzone of Zoba Dobub (Eritrea) and their effects on the well-being and development of the people. Study is based on both primary and secondary sources of information. Study reveals that current available resource-base in the study region is impoverished. Only 10% of the area has potentiality for the farming activities. Among them 80% are poor quality agricultural lands. Farming activity supports only 1/3 of household income. In totality immediate environment supports merely average 50% of household income requirements. This problem has compounded due to environmental degradation. The study highlights micro level relationship between environmental degradation, and resulting in poverty.