Livelihood Transformation among the Borana Pastoralists of Dhas District, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

This study intends to examine the triggers of livelihoods transformation among the Borana pastoralists of Dhas district in Borana zone, southern Ethiopia. The Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) tools, such as key informant interviews and focused group discussions, were used to explore the perceptions of local communities on the causes of livelihood transformation and its impact on the well-being of pastoralists and their overall survival. Purposive sampling was used to administer key informant interviews and FGDs. The findings of this study indicate that the foremost causes of livelihoods transformation in Dhas district include frequent drought and environmental degradation, pastoralists’ sedentarisation policies and conflict over boundary and grazing lands. Previously, pastoralism livelihood system was the most viable strategy in the study area providing sustainable livestock products, while, at the same time, protecting water and rangeland resources and safeguarding environment warrant the Borana pastoralist’s well-being. However, with the changing livelihood dynamics, the Borana’s pastoral system underwent major upheavals, enfeebling the pragmatism of these practices. Therefore, this study concludes that a comprehensive development strategy for supporting pastoral livelihood becomes the need of the hour to guide the efforts of all relevant stakeholders operating in pastoral areas.