Pastoralist adaptation practices under non-governmental development interventions in Southern Ethiopia
Chuan Liao A C and Ding Fei B
+ Author Affiliations
- Author Affiliations
A University of Michigan, Natural Resources and Environment, Ann Arbor, Michigan 48109, USA.
B University of Minnesota Twin Cities, Geography, Environment, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
C Corresponding author. Email: lchuan@umich.edu
The Rangeland Journal 39(2) 189-200 https://doi.org/10.1071/RJ16015
Submitted: 29 February 2016 Accepted: 10 March 2017 Published: 6 April 2017
Abstract
Non-governmental organisations (NGOs) have been playing important roles in facilitating pastoralist adaptation; however, focussed studies have yet to examine whether and how NGO interventions generate viable opportunities for adaptation and development in pastoral communities. This paper analyses how Boran pastoralists cope with various socio-environmental risks under NGO interventions in southern Ethiopia. We find that pastoralist adaptation practices under NGO development interventions enhanced diversification, communal pooling, storage, and market access, but compromised mobility. Changes in pastoralists’ pursuit of livelihoods facilitated alternative adaptation, but such changes risked exacerbating rangeland degradation, reinforcing dependence on external aid, and weakening indigenous institutions. We thus conclude by arguing for more conscious interventions that can mitigate risks without negatively influencing the wellbeing of human subjects and ecosystems.
Additional keywords: adaptation, Ethiopia, intervention, NGO, pastoralists.
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