Pastoral society occupies a quarter of the world land area which is predominantly arid and semi-arid and supports tens of millions of pastoral households in which 60% are found in Africa. Pastoralism is an economic activity and land use system with its own distinct characteristics and it is a way of life for people who derive most of their income or sustenance from keeping domestic livestock reared in conditions where most of the feed is natural rather than cultivated or closely managed. In pastoral systems, livestock production is the mainstay of people’s livelihood.
Ethiopia, a nation known by its agricultural based economy, is also acknowledged by its pastoral society. The vast area of Southern Oromia, Afar, Somali and Gambella states are characterized by their pastoral life. Previously, this sect of community was not given proper attention and simply recognized as nomads. However, in recent times, government has been working with devotion to transform the walk of life of pastoralist community.
Among these is celebration of pastoralists’ day every year. This year, the 17th Oromia State Pastoralists’ Day was celebrated in Yabelo, city of Borena Zone in 19 -21 January, 2019 under the motto of “Superior beneficiary of the pastoralist for national unity.”Amid the zones of Oromia, seven of them are dwelled by pastoralists that enclose 42 woredas.
The celebration was begun by conducting field trip that enables observe the overall activities of the pastoralists. Activities that show pastoralists’ effort in Dire, Meo, Dibuluk and Yabello woredas were visited during the trip. Grass bank in Dire, water well for animals in Meo, livestock’s medical care and other service provision centers were part of the field visit.
Amid the beneficiaries of Lebu dam constructed in Yabelo woreda is Lucho Gebabo. As to her, on top of realizing their family needs, they began earning additional income by producing vegetables like carrot, cabbages, corn and the like employing the dam water. She received a certificate of good performance on the occasion becoming a pioneer for the kebele’s pastoralists. Adding, she said that though the irrigation work is unfamiliar for their local area, she decided to work with commitment aspiring to escalate her income.
Gerbich Dida, Chairman of Dida Jarsa kebele, Dire woreda, on his part explained that pastoralists of the area are united in association to formulate a grass bank aiming to handling the scarcity of animals’ food at occurrence of drought induced by climate change. But, as to him, they have shortage of cutting and winding machine and couldn’t undergo cutting this year’s needed amount of grass yet and also the previously cut grass is being depreciated by sun and rain because of absence of container.
Regardless of these shortcomings, the existence of grass bank, herding animals capable of resisting disease and drought and endowing meat and milk, has greatly contributed for their income boostand economic growth. As a result, in addition to building residential house, they started saving in bank, he noted.
He also requested concerned bodies help them in searching solutions for the market problem that offers upper hand to the business group than the owners though they get rid of traditional herding system and become fruitful.
Chairman of Melbenna kebele, Meo woreda,Techa Halekie on his part said recognizing the effort of government exerted in providing best quality animals seed that improved the existing Borena cattle and contributed for their productivity as well;if meat and leather processing factories are available in the surrounding, their beneficiary will prettily increase.
Dengie Boru, Administrator of Borena Zone, on his part said that herding cattle means base of their life, their identity, their dignity, their food and clothing which is inherited from their fore fathers and their culture is unthinkable without livestock as it is highly tied with their life.
Livestock insurance facility which enables the pastoralists safeguard their animals proactively from disaster occurred because of drought and natural imbalance is available by Oromia Insurance Company, enlightened Melkachew Temesgen, head of Micro Insurance Department. The company, with the experience of 15 years, has played its role in satisfying the claims of pastoralists in Borena Zone in the past seven years while ensuring their economic beneficiary, he noted.
The main objective of the Insurance Company is providing compensation in advance to serve the pastoralists prepare grass, water, medicine and other necessities for their animals based on satellite aided forecast that drought is expected to occur. In spite of the provision of the service, as to Melkachew, it is hard to say that all pastoralists are aware of the benefit of insurance. So that, the company is committed to work firmly for the future in creating awareness regarding the service, he said.
Liben Ariero, Commissioner of Development Coordination Commission for the pastoralist area of the state, said on his part that studies focusing on benefitting the pastoralists with infrastructure and boost their productivity are underway and also, educational and health services need to be improved.
Oromia State vice-administrator, Teyba Hassen has conveyed a message concerning the celebration. Government has paid due attention for the sector than ever and favorable conditions are created to the pastoralists aiming to benefiting themselves and grow the nation’s economy in turn, she underscored.“As political issues of our people are being addressed,” she stressed, “Hard work is required to ensure their economic beneficiary too.”
Teyba has inaugurated Lebu dam which is constructed in Dido Yabelo kebele with the capacity of reserving 1.5 million cubic meter of water and 85 km gravel road that links Dibuluk and Dillo towns.
On the occasion, research papers that reveal beneficiary of the pastoralists were presented; encouraging awards were offered anddiscussions were conducted.
The Ethiopian Herald February 19/2019
BY BACHA ZEWDIE
