Pathways of livelihood transformation among Borana of southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Whether pastoral communities should sustain through pure pastoral way of life or diversify their sources of livelihoods by growing some crops and engaging in non-pastoral activities has become a contested issue. This article discusses how the livelihood system of the Borana people shifts from pure pastoralism to agro pastoralism as well as to non-pastoral activities in response to various natural disasters and human factors. The paper is drawn on an exploratory qualitative study conducted at the two selected sites in Yabello Woreda of the Borana Zone. Data was generated by conducting Key Informants Interviews, Focus Group Discussions, Individual Case Studies and Direct Observations.The Borana’s livestock resource has declined and hence impoverishment expanded over years. Milk yield per cow per day has fallen, and the breeding time of cows increased. Some pastoralists have decided to settle down and engage in crop production and non-pastoral activities. They have diversified their sources of income by integrating livestock rearing with crop production and non-farm activities, which require sedentrization either in rural or urban settings. Their main food stuff has shifted from livestock products - milk and milk products dominant to grain – Badala (maize) dominant. Relying on Badala Tumma as sole food stuff has adversely affected their balanced diet. It is suggested that the Borana people should seriously think about diversifying sources of their food stuffs. The crop production and non-farm livelihood activities among the Borana deserve concrete back up related to institutional capacity development, technical and knowledge, financial and infrastructural development.

Keywords: Borana, livelihood transformation, pastoralism, agro-pastoralism, food security, Badala Tumma