SOCIO-ECONOMIC PROFILE OF HABRO DISTRICT

Physical Characteristics:- Habro district is found in the western central part of West Harerge zone. It is bordered by Boke, Kuni, Anchar Guba Koricah and Aro Labu districts (fig.11.). Gelamso town is the administrative seat of the district. Habro has an area of 725 km2, i.e., about 4.2% of the zonal total area. Physiographically, plateaus, mountains, hills, plains and valleys characterize the district. Altitudinally, the district stretches between 1500 and 2000 m.a.s.l. The district is drained mainly by Melkabalo, Galamso, tiro Dungata, Hardim and Berbrti dungata rivers, together having a total length of about 113.14 km within the district. Habro classified into dega (18%), woinadega (57%) and kola (25%) agro climatic zones. Vertic Luvisols, Rendzinas, Lithosols and Eutric Regosols are the major soil types found in the district. There are no protected forests and wildlife conservation areas in the district. Only a few juniperus, podocarpus, olea tree and plantation forests are found here and there in the district.

 Population:-          The district had about 130,450 population, of which 114, 085 were rural (55,020 females) and 16, 362 were urban (I,133 females) populations. Young, economically active and old age populations accounted for 45.3%, 52.4% and 2.3% respectively. An average family size for rural area was 4.6 persons. The crude population density of the district is estimated at 180 persons per km2.

Agriculture:-          In the mentioned year, about 33.7%, 22.9%, 1.7% and 5.6% of the district’s total area were cultivated (10.3% was under perennial crops), pasture, forest and shrub and bush lands respectively, while the rest was accounted for barren, built-up and other areas. There were 24 Farmers’ Associations and one Service Cooperative with 2698 (98 females) and 2058 (50 females) member farmers respectively in the district. Average farmland holding size per farmer household was 1.2 ha. Sorghum, maize, teff, haricot bean, barley and wheat are the dominant crops in the district. The most commonly prevalent crop pests are stalk borer, aphids, armyworm, weevils and termites. Application of manure, fertilizers, crop rotation and short fallowing methods are exercised in the district to maintain soil fertility. About 2,145 quintals of fertilizers (Urea was 923 quintals) 107 quintals of improved seeds, and 166 liters and 165 kg pesticides have been utilized by about 11.6%, 6.9% and 7.8% of the total farmers respectively in the indicated year. There were 15,910 cattle, 3,885 sheep, 16,755 goats, 44 mules, 436 horses, 6,434 asses, 47, 729 poultry and 1,426 traditional beehives in the district. Anthrax, blackleg, pasteurelosis, lumpy, and internal and external parasites are the most widely prevalent livestock diseases. In the mentioned year, about 63925 (60450 cattle) and 11089 (8434 cattle) livestock were vaccinated and treated against different diseases respectively.

 Mining and Industry:- There were no hitherto identified locally available mineral deposits to mining activity in the district. As to industry, only 19 grain mills (2 public), 2 wood works, 2 metal works, 2 coffee hullings and one oil mill industries were found in the district in the year under consideration.

Trade and Tourism:- About 338 licensed business organizations (wholesalers, retailers and service renders) were found in the district. Coffee and chat are the major local cash crops. About 903 tons of coffee, and 11,067 hides and skins (number) were supplied to the central market in the indicated year. Currently, there was no income generating tourist attraction site in the district. But the district has fascinating natural landscapes, and historical and cultural sites for the development of tourist industry.

 Services:-             The district had about 43 km all weather and 172 km dry weather roads transport linkages with Chiro town (zonal capital) and districts’ capitals, 2 manual telephone stations and a regular post office. About 24% of the rural populations were depending on protected springs and hand dug shallow wells for their home consumption. In general, ponds, rivers and springs are the major sources of drinking water in order of their importance in the district. The district had hydro electric light service at 2 urban centers and two fuel stations at Gelamso town. Firewood, agri-wastes, kerosene and charcoal are the major sources of domestic energy supply in order of their usage. In the year under consideration, 24 elementary, 3 juniors and one senior high school with 10,750 registered students (2703 females) and 316 teaching staffs (84 females) were found in the district. In the academic year, dropped out students accounted for about 29.9% of the total enrolled students. Students’ participation rate in primary school was 41%. Similarly, there were a health center and 6 clinics with 3 nurses, 18 health assistants, a doctor and 2 technicians, and 2 Banks (one Development and one Commercial Bank) in the district. Furthermore, 3 veterinary clinics with 7 veterinary personnel were found in Habro.

Development Activities:- In the year under investigation, known governmental and non-governmental on going development projects were the constructions of a hospital, a clinic and 9 DA houses, and the development of 3 water wells.