Ethiopia is home to numerous pastoralist communities, such as the Afar, Somali, and Borana. These communities are primarily engaged in livestock rearing, which serves as their main source of livelihood. The cultural practices and traditional knowledge they possess regarding animal husbandry, as well as in dealing with different weather patterns, are unparalleled, making them experts in sustainable land and resource management.
In Ethiopia, pastoralist communities have long faced numerous challenges in their quest for sustainable livelihoods. These communities, who rely heavily on livestock rearing, have struggled with challenges such as droughts or floods, land degradation and climate change as a result of increased resource exploitation, infrastructural development and other types of human activities, limited access to markets, and insufficient infrastructure.
However, there have been commendable efforts in recent years to address these challenges, transform the livelihoods of pastoralists, and ameliorate their well-being not counting in reinforcing Ethiopia’s biodiversity conservation and climate change resilience.
Recently, the Ministry of Irrigation and Lowlands (MILLS) in collaboration with the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) organized the East Africa Pastoralist Expo with the target to bring a holistic change in the livelihoods of pastoralist communities.
The expo, which was held from 26 January to 1 February 2024 at the Millennium Hall under the theme “Pastoralism: The East African Mosaic”, showcased the East African pastoralist community’s culture, traditions, and economic activities. Pastoralists from different East African countries including Kenya, South Sudan, Uganda, Djibouti and Somalia took part in the expo and presented their cultural displays. At the expo, over 1,200 pastoralists took place, of which more than 950 were from Ethiopia and over 250 from neighboring countries.
In a press briefing held days before the actual day, MILLS State Minister Endrias Geta (PhD) stated that the Ministry employs the grand event to promote the tourism and investment potentials of pastoralist areas and to identify development opportunities there. The platform is also instrumental to showcase technological and business innovations, create market linkage; share experience, hold policy discussions and other measures that help to boost regional ties, Endrias elaborated.
By the same token, the expo is helpful to pastoralists from IGAD member states to connect with Ethiopian counterparts and to work together in border areas and sustain the relations.
Ethiopia has been marking ‘Pastoralist’s Day’ at the national level since 1999 and this creates a direct link with the government and helps pastoralist communities to solve their problem and get recognition.
“Pastoralism is a predominant lifestyle, reflecting the rich and abundant heritage of the nation; and the government has demonstrated its dedication to implementing strategic reforms, notably through the Ethiopian Pastoral Development Policy and Strategy.”
The State Minister further noted that the expo is a crucial step towards regional integration and transcends national boundaries. “It connects the past, present, and future of pastoralism in one of the world’s most culturally rich and ecologically diverse regions.” What is more, it will create an opportunity to show the lifestyle of the pastoral communities and the social and economic contributions of the region, and help to establish a robust foundation for future collaborations, he remarked.
According to him, the development of pastoralist communities in Ethiopia is a multifaceted endeavor that requires addressing various challenges and building on their unique strengths. By investing in education, infrastructure, climate change adaptation, and market access, Ethiopia can empower these communities to thrive while preserving their invaluable contributions to the nation’s heritage.
Currently, various strategies and initiatives have been implemented to uplift these communities through harnessing the pastoralist communities’ areas potential for further growth.
It is clear increasing access to education and skills development is crucial for pastoralist communities to break the cycle of poverty and improve their livelihoods. Recognizing this, various initiatives have been implemented to enhance educational opportunities for pastoralist children and adults. These efforts include the establishment of mobile and alternative schools, the provision of scholarships, and the development of vocational training centers. By acquiring knowledge and skills, pastoralists can engage in a wider range of economic activities and access better employment opportunities.
In addition to this, sustainable management of natural resources is vital for the long-term well-being of pastoralist communities. In this regard, efforts have been made to promote sustainable land and water management practices, including the construction of water catchments, irrigation schemes, and soil conservation structures. Additionally, community-based natural resource management approaches, such as the establishment of grazing reserves and protected areas, have been implemented to ensure the sustainable use of natural resources. These efforts aim to enhance the productivity of pastoralists’ land and safeguard the environment for future generations.
Accordingly, to ensure the sustainability of efforts to transform the livelihoods of pastoralists, supportive policies and institutions are crucial. In Ethiopia, there has been a growing recognition of the immense social and economic contributions of the pastoralist communities and their unique livelihood systems. As a result, policies and strategies have been developed to address the specific needs and challenges of pastoralists. Additionally, various pastoralist development institutions have been established to coordinate and facilitate the implementation of programs and projects tailored to pastoralist communities. These policy and institutional frameworks provide the necessary support for sustained improvement in pastoralist livelihoods.
The closing session of the expo organized by the Ministry of Irrigation and Lowlands and the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD) was attended by Minister of Culture Kejela Merdassa, the Minister of Irrigation and Lowlands Aysha Mohammed and other high ranking government officials.
In sum, efforts to transform pastoralist communities’ livelihoods in Ethiopia have made significant strides in recent years. Through diversifying income sources, improved access to education and skills development, sustainable resource management, enhanced market access, and supportive policies and institutions, pastoralists are gaining more resilience and better opportunities for sustainable livelihoods. Even though there is still much work to be done, these efforts demonstrate a commitment to addressing the unique challenges faced by pastoralist communities and ensuring their well-being and prosperity in the future.
One key approach towards improving pastoralist livelihoods has been the diversification of income sources. Instead of solely relying on livestock, efforts have been made to introduce alternative income-generating activities. This includes promoting small-scale enterprises such as beekeeping, handicraft production, and agroforestry.
BY TEWODROS KASSA
THE ETHIOPIAN HERALD TUESDAY 6 FBERUARY 2024
