AN ASSESSMENT OF THE RANGELAND DEGRADATION AND ITS IMPACT ON THE LIVELIHOOD OF RURAL PASTORALISTS: IN THE CASE OF YABELO WOREDA OF BORENA ZONE, OROMIA REGIONAL STATE, ETHIOPIA.

Abstract

Ethiopia is one of the most severely affected country in the Eastern Africa particularly in rangeland degradation which resulted in decline in productivity and qualities of pastoral range resources, loss of bio-diversity and suffering of the people and animals in chronic food shortage. The full implication of loss and degradation of rangeland resources as well as main causes must be recognized in order to conserve the range resources of the country. The main objective of this study was to assess the impacts of rangeland degradation on the livelihood of rural pastoralists in the Yabelo districts. The data for this study were collected using survey questionnaire, guided interview, observation, and focused group discussions. Two Kebeles were selected purposively where rangeland degradation is high and the problem of food insecurity is observed. Eighty five households were considered for analysis of data. Household size from each Kebeles was selected based on the Kebeles population proportion. The results of investigation showed that rangelands of study area is highly degraded .The area once three decades years ago were under a good rangeland resources are changed in to new condition. Increase in human and cattle population presser which increases a demand on the range resources use and lacks of alternative sources of resource use and land ownership, incensement in crop cultivation which is a newly emerging system in the area are the major causes for range resources degradation in the area. Moreover bush encroachment, lack of commitment at individual level and organizations in range resources management are some of the prevailing causes of rangeland degradation in the district. An impact of rangeland degradation which influences pastoral livelihood was clearly observed in the study area. Therefore, it is suggested that among other things diversifying the pastoral economy, implementing participatory rangeland management

technique, incorporation of local knowledge privatizing the land, mobilizing the pastoralists on resources management and conservation, creating sense of ownership and reduce the rate of population growth through family planning must receive policy attention to reduce degradation of rangelands and to secure pastoral livelihood.