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

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.

本研究旨在探讨埃塞俄比亚南部博拉纳地区达赫斯区的博拉纳牧民生计转型的触发因素。研究采用参与式农村评估（Participatory Rural Appraisal, PRA）工具，如关键知情人访谈与焦点小组讨论，探究当地社区对生计转型原因及其对牧民福祉与整体生存影响的看法。研究通过目的抽样法开展关键知情人访谈与焦点小组讨论（FGDs）。研究结果显示，达赫斯区生计转型的首要驱动因素包括频繁干旱与环境退化、牧民定居政策，以及边界与放牧地（grazing lands）的冲突。此前，游牧生计体系是研究区域内最具可行性的策略，既能提供可持续的畜产品，同时也通过保护水资源与牧场资源、维护生态环境保障博拉纳牧民的福祉。然而，随着生计动态的变化，博拉纳的游牧体系经历了重大动荡，削弱了这些实践的实用性。因此，本研究认为，制定支持游牧生计的综合发展战略已迫在眉睫，以指导牧区所有相关利益相关者的行动。