Cropping by Borana agropastoralists in Ethiopia

The study on “Challenges and contributions of crop production in agro-pastoral systems of Borana Plateau, Ethiopia” by Abera Tilahun et al, published in Pastoralism: Research, Policy and Practice 2017 7:2, investigated how Borana agropastoralists in southern Ethiopia are looking to crop production to reduce their vulnerability to uncertain climatic conditions and reduced access to grazing land and water.

A survey of 60 households showed that Borana agropastoralists were highly involved in crop cultivation as a supplementary source of livelihood but continued to hold strongly to traditional mobile herding regimes. A majority of the respondents (68%) thought that crop cultivation increased availability of grain and feed sources (straw), thereby improving their food security and minimising morbidity and mortality loss of animals during the dry season. However, livelihood activities were influenced by a number of internal and external factors, most importantly low rainfall, pests, and the lack of inputs and markets.

Posted on 27 November 2018 in Pastoralist Livelihoods & Nutrition