Land use and farming systems in the Horn of Africa

Biswas, Asit K.; Masakhalia, Y.F.O.; Odero-Ogwel, L.A.; Pallangyo, E.P.

doi:10.1016/0264-8377(87)90064-0

Cited by 13 publications

(9 citation statements)

References 1 publication

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“…Perhaps the most important link for farmers is the opportunity to invest in livestock (McCown et al 1976;Biswas et al 1987;Swinton 1988;Little 1987Little , 1983Hogg 1983). Perhaps the most important link for farmers is the opportunity to invest in livestock (McCown et al 1976;Biswas et al 1987;Swinton 1988;Little 1987Little , 1983Hogg 1983).…”

Section: Transhumant Pastoralism and Land Degradationmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…The livestock industry -a significant, and in many cases a dominant part of the national economy in a large number of African countries -can be severely damaged by herd loss and the impoverishment of pastoralists (Clark 1985;Bennett 1984;Campbell 1981;Biswas et al 1987;Toulmin 1985;Box 1971;Lewis 1975). This may become especially problematic considering that rangeland livestock production will be essential to many nations' ability to feed growing populations (Biswas et al 1987;Campbell 1981) off of a land resource where transhumant pastoralism may not only be the only sustainable use; but may be one of the few assets possessed and easily exploited by largely agrarian economies.…”

Section: Drought Famine and Nomadic Pastoralismmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…About 55% of the national population participates in nomadic pastoralism, while 80 % of the population is engaged in livestock raising of some kind (Conze and Labahn 1986;Handulle and Gay 1987). As the most important agricultural enterprise in the country, transhumant pastoralism will be the basis for food production for future populations (Bennett 1984;Lewis 1975;Box 1968Box 1971Biswas et al 1987;Conze and Labahn 1986). Irrigation however has played a large role in the increased production of cereal and export crops; and irrigation rehabilitation is a priority in Somalia (Biswas et al 1984).…”

Section: The Somalia Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…In recent decades considerable rangeland degradation has taken place under year-long grazing and improper land use (Biswas et al 1987;Box 1968Box , 1971. Along the Shabelle river, and especially near refugee camps (Fig 2a), natural resources are severely stressed by overgrazing and deforestation (Drechsel 1989).…”

Section: The Somalia Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Recent reports that widespread famine is once again advancing across Africa highlight the intertwined nature of climate, food production, land degradation, and social problems (FEWS 1991;Economist 1991aEconomist 1991bEconomist 1991cOzanne 1991;Kamm 1990;Perlez 1990a;Winter and Prendergast 1990;Ottaway 1990;Press 1990;Battersby 1990;Morna 1990;McCabe 1990;Biswas et al 1987;Agnew and Warren 1990;Harrison 1987;Mann 1990;Campbell 1981;Christiansson and Tobisson 1989;Hare et al 1977;Mabutt 1984;Scudder 1989).While agricultural harvests in Asia and Latin America have increased over the past 25 years, in Africa it has declined (Economist 1991b). The persistence of Africa's food production problems, and the severe recurrences of famine that take place in problem areas despite the millions of dollars spent on development has prompted a shift in the focus of many development programs from increased production to relief and rehabilitation (Hogg 1987;Hitchcock and Hussein 1987;Adams 1986;Coward 1985;Snow 1984;Dorgan and Wheat 1991).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Nomadic pastoralism and irrigated agriculture in Somalia

Unruh

1991

GeoJournal

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The persistent interplay of food production problems, land degradation, and social and climatic difficulties on the Horn of Africa result in recurring famines in spite of vast sums of money spent on agricultural development. As land resources -which undergird both social and production systems in Africa -become increasingly degraded, development efforts, especially in problematic areas, need to become part of comprehensive resource use programs that take into account the existing regional land use ecology. Designs which disrupt the ecology of established land uses can lead to extensive degradation because such uses are linked to wider areas; and the effects of such disruption can ultimately threaten the viability of the proposed schemes themselves.While African agriculture has traditionally met greater food needs by expanding the area under cultivation and irrigation, the increasing scarcity of new high quality arable land means that multiple use of "high potential" areas will become a priority. This paper describes a multiple land use in a "high potential" river basin of Somalia, in the context of the existing use patterns involved in irrigated agriculture and nomadic pastoralism. The spatial and temporal access and use of resources are analyzed, and recommendations made for improving the integration of these production systems.

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Section: Transhumant Pastoralism and Land Degradationmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Drought Famine and Nomadic Pastoralismmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Somalia Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: The Somalia Studymentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Nomadic pastoralism and irrigated agriculture in Somalia

Unruh

1991

GeoJournal

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Pastoralist Resource Use and Access in Somalia: A Changing Context of Development, Environmental Stress and Conflict

Unruh¹

1995

Disaster and Development in the Horn of Africa

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Unruh JD (1995) Pastoralist resource use and access in Somalia: a changing context of development, environmental stress, and conflict. In: Sorenson J (ed.) Disaster and Development on the Horn of Africa. Macmillan, London Pastoral Systems Most nomads keep a mix of livestock species2 to maximize benefits and minimize risks. This takes advantage of variations among species with respect to drought tolerance and the utilization of different types of vegetation, and supplies nomads with milk, meat, transport, investment, and income (Samatar 1989a:6). Camels comprise approximately half of the biomass of most transhumant herds for all regions. The other half varies from north to south, mainly sheep and goats in the north and center, and cattle in the south. The proportion of drought resistant stock (camels and goats) traditionally increased in response to drier climatic conditions (Samatar 1989a:28). Mobility and flexibility are required to make good use of meager range resources, thus units of production are small and widely dispersed (Samatar 1989b:28). The logic of the pastoral economy is to minimize risk in order to secure preservation of the family (Samatar 1989a:6; Samatar 1989b:28). As an adaptation to ecosystems in which forage and water are critical parameters, transhumant herding largely depends on dry season forage within reach of dry season watering points (Scudder 1989:6; Johnson 1969:5; Breman et al 1979:227). When forage is depleted or access to it and adjoining water supplies are interrupted, the result can be land degradation, livestock die-offs, conflict, and rapid sales as pastoralists seek to realign resource access arrangements, utilize already marginal land, and cope with reductions in herd viability. Nomadic cooperation, bound by lineage and alliance, traditionally related primarily to confrontation and hostility under ecological conditions in the acute competition for scarce resources (Lewis 1961:240). Dependence by several lineage-segments on common pasture and water creates tension, especially in the dry season, when pressure on land resources is greater and disputes increase (Lewis 1961:243). The lineage system and personal relationships between pastoralists facilitates a degree of insurance against stock loss by the possibility of borrowing animals from fellow stock-owners with a shared lineage or with whom exchange relationships exist. This occurs through the exercise of rights and obligations involved in such relationships, and carries with it an assurance of reciprocity (Poulsen 1990:146; Samatar 1989a:40; Ornas 1990:119). Membership in such groups, especially lineage groups, implies obligation to assist and be assisted in times of crisis (Ornas 1990:119). In Somalia six major clan-families and their subgroups (clans) retain access to most land (Figure 1) (Samatar 1993:72; Cassanelli 1982:16). Clan territories are not distinct. Instead they constitute general areas and home wells associated with particular groups (Gunn 1990:114). Land traditionally is not alienated from the clan. If a past...

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Rainfed mechanized farming and deforestation in central Sudan

Elnagheeb

Bromley

1992

Environmental and Resource Economics

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Sudan is threatened by a serious deforestation problem. Total forested area decreased by about 20 percent over the last two decades, largely as a result of the expansion of rainfed mechanized farming (RMF). To safeguard against the problems of deforestation, the government's Mechanized Farming Corporation requires each farmer to leave at least ten percent of the total farm area under shelterbelts. Few farmers pay attention to this clause. This paper addresses the problem of RMF expansion and analyzes the effects of different factors on the preservation of shelterbelts. Results indicate that the following factors influence the decision to preserve shelterbelts: farmer's belief in the value of shelterbelts, the production of gum arabic, farm size, farmer's wealth, years a farm has been cultivated, and type of farm. Copyright Kluwer Academic Publishers 1992Deforestation, rainfed mechanized farming, shelterbelts, Sudan, logit model, probit model, random utility model,

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Land use and farming systems in the Horn of Africa

Cited by 13 publications

References 1 publication

Nomadic pastoralism and irrigated agriculture in Somalia

Nomadic pastoralism and irrigated agriculture in Somalia

Pastoralist Resource Use and Access in Somalia: A Changing Context of Development, Environmental Stress and Conflict

Rainfed mechanized farming and deforestation in central Sudan

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