Resource Use and Livelihood Changes in Rural and Semi-Urban Areas: Evidence from Eritrea Debesai Menghistab Ghebreselassie, Reddy C. Lakshmi Kantha Lecturer, Hamelmalo Agricultural College, Keren, Eritrea Online published on 11 June, 2014. Abstract This study investigates resource use and livelihoods changes in Akurdet town and two villages namely Haredente and Ato-Berhan in Eritrea. A combination of focused group discussion and a quantitative survey was used to analyze the resource base that make up the livelihoods. A sample size of 201 and 38 households were taken from the town and the villages respectively for the quantitative analysis. A livelihood framework, including: the vulnerability context, resource assets, structures and processes, adaptive strategies and coping mechanisms and livelihood outcomes were developed as an analytical tool. The major resources the people depend on for their livelihoods are natural resources: such as forests, land, and water. Natural resources degradation was also observed as a result of repetitive use of the resources for lack of alternatives. In the two villages, the traditionally developed adaptive strategies to cope up with vulnerabilities were not sufficient at the time of investigation. Hence, more livelihood diversifications were necessitated. Therefore, a gradual shift of economic activities and livelihoods from more dependent on natural resources, to money income activities, mainly on-farm and off-farm daily labor was observed. Policy makers are thus required to consider the issue of change of livelihoods and design a development program accordingly. Top Keywords Livelihood Change, Natural Resource, Adaptive Strategies, On-farm, Off-farm. Top |