This research is conducted in the Tigray region of Ethiopia to gain a deeper understanding of the impact of roads on employment in Adiksandid; a village in that region that recently got separated
into two villages: laelai (upper) and tahtai (lower) Adiksandid. The research provides knowledge about the impact of the road on employment opportunities and market access in general; the
relations between improved market access and employment; and the role of the government concerning these two topics.
Provision of feeder roads leads to employment opportunities such as (i) new transportation possibilities, (ii) the establishment of little shops and small cafes along the road, (iii) jobs that
became available in other areas because of the road and the possibility to migrate for daily, temporary or permanent labour, (iv) stone grinding activities and (v) providing services along the
value chain. However, these opportunities are not equally divided among the citizens of Adiksandid and thereby not all these new opportunities seem to be that positive.
The impact of feeder road development on employment can be even greater when including the influence of the road on market access as well. Feeder road development leads to improved
market access and therefore the quantity, quality and diversity of the goods increased. However, improved market access does not lead to positive developments only, as it also leads to increased
market competition, resulting in different prices for consumers and lower incomes for farmers. Improved market access could in turn also create to new employment opportunities e.g. new actors in the value chain, the establishment of little shops along the road and by the means of labour migration. Not all of these new opportunities are however positive outcomes, especially the new actors in the value chain. Furthermore, the construction of the road could lead to even more employment opportunities then it has now: it has more potential that needs to be utilized, especially the potential of the local market development. We conclude that the construction of the feeder road in Adiksandid has leaded to several new employment opportunities. However, there are great differences between laelai and tahtai Adiksandid and therefore the opportunities and benefits are not equally divided among the people. For these mentioned differences between the two tabia’s and the negative outcomes of feeder road development, review of the current policies is needed
Read the Thesis here: MSc IDS Paula-Beens Feeder road development
Last modified: October 19, 2015