Effects of Family Size and Wealth on Size of Land Cultivated by Borana Pastoralists in Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

Traditionally, Borana pastoralists relied solely on cattle for their livelihood. Today, however, concomitant with declining livestock, most Borana are cultivating land as a supplement to livestock production. We tested our hypothesis that labour availability and wealth would affect the area of land cultivated by examining four kebeles (smallest administrative unit; ward) with different characteristics in Liben district, southern Ethiopia. Overall, 92 % of the households, ranging from 82 % in Qorati to 100 % in Siminto, were cultivating land. The area of land cultivated was related significantly and positively to wealth only in Siminto and to the number of wives only in Hadhessa. We concluded that the different responses among kebeles were due to variations in local conditions and, consequently, the prediction of generalities over a wide geographical range should be made with caution.