What futures for dropouts from pastoralism?

According to a study of pastoral dropouts commissioned by USAID and Care-Ethiopia, addressing poverty in pastoral areas revolves around two key elements. Firstly, pastoral production should be improved and supported, not replaced, in the case of those people with the skills and interest to continue this form of livelihood so well adapted to the drylands. Secondly, attention should be given to those residents of pastoral areas who are not actively involved in pastoralism or who are leaving the system, often quite painfully. They should be helped in identifying and undertaking alternative economic activities that support, complement or at least do not undermine pastoral production. The study was made to shed some light on the profiles and possibilities of people who have dropped out of pastoralism in Borana Zone of Oromia Region in Ethiopia. It highlights the importance of human and institutional capacity building, so that those people who leave the pastoralist system are better prepared for alternative livelihoods.

Posted on 17 July 2012 in Pastoralism & Services, Pastoralist Livelihoods & Nutrition