Outcomes of a Pastoral Sustainability Conference: The Borana People Must Better Manage Rangelands and Diversify Livelihoods for a Brighter Future

Authors

Solomon Desta, Utah State University
D. Layne Coppock, Utah State UniversityFollow
Tesfaye Alemu, OARI
Seyoum Tezera, MARIL PLC
Bedasa Eba
Jaldesa Doyo
Dereje Teshome
Demisachew Tadele, OARI

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

7-2015

Abstract

The Borana Plateau is an important region for Ethiopia— but it is challenged by very serious problems. Both the human and livestock populations are growing while poverty is increasing for the majority of pastoralists. The rangeland also shows signs of extreme degradation including gullying, bush encroachment, and high rates of pond siltation. This brief summarizes points made at a pastoralist conference held for 71 participants during December, 2014, in Yabelo town in the Borana Zone. The purpose of the conference was to chart a way forward for the Boran society to better address problems. The conference included speakers from the pastoral community, policy-making realm, private sector, and research organizations. It was concluded that the pastoralists must begin to better manage grazing, rehabilitate the land, and diversify livelihoods. Both the traditional leadership and the government must work together in this process, but it is the people themselves who have the power to make these changes.

Comments

The Oromifa version of the publication can be found here: http://digitalcommons.usu.edu/envs_facpub/1446/

Recommended Citation

Tezera, S., B. Eba, J. Doyo, D. Teshome, D. Tadele, T. Alemu, S. Desta, and D.L. Coppock. 2015. Outcomes of a Pastoral Sustainabilty Conference: The Borana Must Better Manage Rangelands and Diversify Livelihoods for a Brighter Future. Research Brief-20-2015, Feed the Future—Adapting Livestock Systems to Climate Change, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO, USA.