Abstract
The Nyangatom, in South Omo, Ethiopia, are group of agro-pastoralists whose access to land is affected by dam construction and large-scale sugarcane development projects. Informed selection of appropriate measures requires a spatially explicit representation of prevailing and changing supply-demand relationships for livestock herds among the Nyangatom. This study aims to address this caveat and identifies seasonal and location-specific ‘hot spots’ in Nyangatom where fodder demand exceeds supply. Assessments of fodder production are based on primary data collected through focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and field observations. Overall, annual fodder availability was estimated at 508,967 tons against the requirement of 584,204.6 tons, resulting in a deficit of 12.9% annually after out-migration. Under the implementation of the Omo-V sugarcane project and climate change, the fodder supply is expected to be reduced further to -219,977 tons annually. The critical dry matter hot spot was found in the western and central parts of Nyangatom near to the Kibish River, which shows the highest livestock density. In contrast, better fodder supply was estimated around the south-western and north-eastern parts. Change in policy, the frequency of droughts, conflict, and the dam-induced decline of the Omo River floods were accounted for the changes. Thus, there are strong signals to the local community and government to collaborate to reduce the potential constraints that affect sustainable rangeland management and food security; and need to account for the interests of the agro-pastoralists.
Presenters
Adane Kebede GebeyehuPhD Candidate, Social and Cultural Anthropology, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Netherlands
Details
Presentation Type
Paper Presentation in a Themed Session
Theme
KEYWORDS
AGRO-PASTORALISM, LIVESTOCK HERDING, FODDER SUPPLY-DEMAND, LIVESTOCK MOBILITY, DRY MATTER, AGRICULTRAL
