The Amhara Region has 105 woredas. According to figures of the Central Statistical Agency (CSA) document published in 2005, the region has an estimated total population of 19,120,005, consisting of 9,555,000 males and 9,565,000 females. About 16,925,000 or 88.5% of the population are rural inhabitants, while 2,195,000 or 11.5% are urban. The annual population growth rate is 2.7%. With an estimated area of 159,173.66 km2, the region has an estimated density of 120 persons/km2. The Amhara region is the second most densely populated region in Ethiopia. Some 18-20% of the region’s population is critically food insecure.

The following shows the population of different livestock species and the per capita distribution of the species in the Amhara region.

Livestock population in the Amhara region

Source: Central Statistical Agency, 2005

* Calculated from human and livestock population figures

ESGPIP’s target woredas

The ESGPIP operated in five of the 105 woredas in the Amhara region namely Ebenat, Guba Lafto, Kobo, Kalu and east Belesa.

Ebenat

Ebenat is part of the Debub Gondar Zone. Ebenat borders with Farta in the south, on the west by Kemekem, on the northwest by the Semien Gondar Zone, on the northeast by the Wag Hemra Zone, and on the east by Lay Gayint.

The Ebenat woreda has an estimated total population of 223,650, of whom 109,946 are male and 113,704 are female; 16,740 or 7.48% of its population are urban dwellers, which is less than the Zonal average of 8.3% (CSA, 2005). With an estimated area of 2,268.44 Km2, Ebenat has an estimated population density of 99 persons per Km2.

East Belessa

Belessa is part of the Semien Gondar Zone. Belessa is bordered on the south by the Debub Gondar Zone, on the west by Gondar Zuria, on the northwest by Wegera, on the northeast by Jan Amora, and on the east by the Wag Hemra Zone.

Belessa woreda has an estimated total population of 191,000, of whom 93,207 are male and 97,761 are female; 10,121 or 5.30% of its population are urban dwellers. This is less than the average of 14.1% for the Zone (CSA, 2005). With an estimated area of 2,560.63 Km2, Belessa has an estimated population density of 75 persons per Km2. This is greater than the Zone average of 60.

Guba Lafto

Guba Lafto is part of the Semien Wollo Zone, Guba Lafto is bordered on the south by the Debub Wollo Zone, on the west by Dawuntna Delanta, on the northwest by Meket, on the north by Gidan, on the northeast by Kobo, on the east by the Afar Region, and on the southeast by Habru.

According to the Central Statistical Agency (2005), the woreda has an estimated total population of 187,400, of whom 94,491 are male and 92,907 are female. With an estimated area of 1,021.46 Km2, Guba Lafto has an estimated population density of 184 people per Km2, which is greater than the Zonal average of 106.

Kalu

Kalu is part of the Debub Wollo Zone bordering Dessie Zuria on the west, Were Babu in the north, and the Oromia Zone on the south and east (CSA, 2005). Altitude in the woreda ranges from 800 m.a.s.l. (meters above sea level) in the lowlands bordering the Afar region to 1,750 m.a.s.l. at the foot of the mountains north of Kombolcha. The climate varies from dry sub-humid to semi-arid.

Kalu woreda has an estimated total population of 233,600, (117,566 males and 115,988 females); 17,229 or 7.38% of the population are urban dwellers. This is less than the Zone average of 12.4%. The estimated area of the woreda is 1,152.59 Km2. The population density of the woreda with 203 people per Km2 is greater than the Zonal average of 174.

Kobo

Kobo is part of the Semien Wollo Zone, Kobo is bordered on the south by Guba Lafto, on the west by Gidan, and on the north and east by the Afar Region.

The landscape of this woreda is characterized by a broad fertile plain which is separated from the lowlands of the Afar Region by a mountain range; the altitude of Kobo ranges from 900 to 2400 m.a.s.l.
The kobo woreda has an estimated total population of 247,700 (123,600 males and 124,100 females); 49,915 or 20.15% of the population are urban dwellers (Zonal average of 8.9%). With an estimated area of 1,940.31 Km2, Kobo has an estimated population density of 128 people per Km2 (greater than the Zone average of 106).