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Abstract

Livestock production situation and feed resources availability in pastoral and semi-

pastoral production system of Burao surrounding areas, Kabadhere in particular, weresurveyed (assessed) based on field visits/observations and interview of selected

households as well as group discussions with pastoralists. A semi-structuredquestionnaire was used for interviewing 30 randomly selected pastoralists. Informal

discussions were also held with a group of pastoralists in the area assessed as well as withthe development agents working in the localities. The collected data were analyzed using

descriptive statistics.

The survey showed that numerically goats are the most important species followed by

sheep, camels and sheep. The main feed resources of the area are natural pastures

(herbaceous vegetation composed mainly of forbs and browses such as shrubs, treeleaves(acacia) and pods), which show marked seasonal variation in availability and

quality based on variability of rainfall distribution. Productivity of animals in terms of

milk production, growth rate and reproductive performance is generally low. Cropproduction is not practiced as a means of economic diversification because of harshenvironment, unreliable rainfall and frequent drought. Thus, livestock (LS) production

remains to be the main means of livelihood. Hence, more emphasis should be given to

improving livestock productivity, local feed production/availability, relevant supportservices and management of the pasture/gracing lands. Efforts to reverse or at least halt

the advancement of land grapping/enclosures and exploitation by urbanites should be

encouraged and strengthened.

Introduction:

The feed resource base and disease challenge determine the animal production system ofthe area.

The arid and semi-arid lowlands are characterized by high spatial and temporal variabilityin rainfall distribution and pattern. Although there are general rainy and dry seasons, the

rains may start at different times in different years, increasing irregularity and distorting

the normal pattern. Chances for prolonged dry spells at the end of the dry season and the beginning of the rainy season are very high. In such conditions meaningful crop

production cannot be attained in rain-fed agriculture and extensive livestock production

appears to be a better means of exploiting the grazing and browse resources in the aridand semi-arid lands. The semi-arid rangelands of Togdher support the livestock that are

highly valuable to the nation as direct sources of consumption for the pastoral and semi-

pastoral population, as sources of cash income and foreign currency for the nation and for

provision of draught power for small-holders in the highlands. However, extended dryseason and drought very often result in critical decline in quantity and quality of feed and

shortage of water leading to decreased productivity and increased mortality of animals.

During severe drought the whole herd may be decimated.


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Materials and methods

General characteristics of the study area

This study was carried out in Kabadhere area of Burao district in Togdher, Somaliland.The area is characterized by semi-arid lands with many land enclosures. The semi-arid

lands are predominantly occupied by pastoral and semi-sedentary pastoral population

whose livelihood is mainly dependent on range livestock production. They mainly consistof small and least well off pastoral households.

The area receives bimodal rainfall distribution. The main rainy season (GU) extends from

March to May whereas the short rainy season (Deyr) lasts from October to Novemberfollowed by the long dry season (Xagaa). However, the actual length of the rainy season

is getting shorter and shorter through time and the area is prone to more frequent drought

for some years (4) now. Variable rainfall results in greater variability in forage

productivity. Seasonal distribution of rainfall is more important than the annual totalrainfall in influencing forage production from rangelands. Years of high rainfall produce

surplus forage, whereas below average years result in deficits. Livestock losses areexpected during years of below average rainfall when forage productivity declines. This

is the situation at present and past few years.

Survey methodology

The survey/assessment was carried out in 20-30 September 2009 and it was based on

field visits and interview of selected households and group discussions with the pastoralists (including different age groups). A semi-structured questionnaire was

prepared and used for interviewing randomly selected pastoralists using MLF pastoral

services, free watering scheme for both human and LS since 2005. A total of 30pastoralists were interviewed. During the assessment discussions were held with pertinent

experts and other local SH. In addition to the structured questionnaire, informal

discussions were held with a group of pastoralists in the area assessed and with MLFofficials/others. The collected data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. The

following were the main focal points in the assessment.

-Land enclosures and livestock production-Availability of feed resources for livestock production

-Traditional livestock feeding and management practices

-Productivity of livestock-Importance of livestock and feed production to the livelihood of the community

-Potential of the area for fodder/feed production

-Main means of livelihood and sources of cash income-Interactions between livestock and other production activities in the area, if any.

-Livestock and social support services in the area

-Future prospects of pastoral LS production and way of life


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Results and discussion

Livestock production

Table 1 shows the livestock holding of the interviewed households. Numerically Goats

are the most important species followed by sheep and camels.

Table 1. Livestock holding (number of heads of animals per

household) as per the interviews (N=30 HH) and persons per HH

Livestock species Mean Range

Goats 225.42 40-230

Sheep 38.77 0-40

Camels 6.06 0-10

Donkeys 1.42 0-4//////////////////////////// ////////////////////////////// ///////////////////////////////////

Persons per HH 5.7 4-10

Source: University of Burao (UB) and CLASS

Since secondary LS data is not available, it is difficult to say if the same

pattern of type/numerical importance of LS is true for 100s of other pastoral

HH rearing LS around Burao.

Table shows the livestock population of pastoral HH survey participants

Table 2 Livestock population, animal heads per person+head/person/HH of

survey participants (N=30)

Livestock

species

Animal

popln.

Animal heads/person Animal

heads/person/HH

Goats 3494 20.1 0.66

Sheep 601 3.45 0.12

Camels 94 0.54 0.018Donkeys 22 0.12 0.009


All other survey findings and discussions:


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The main priority needs, issues and concerns of survey participants (pastoral HH) are as

follows.

-Lack of natural pastures/feed in the surrounding area/s due to many factors.

-Compounded by land grapping or enclosures which is causing multiple problems such asi) restricting migration routes and LS movement ii) disputes relating to trespass, LS

bounding by land owners and so on.

-Complete lack of authority and development social and LS services and support in theregion/area.

-Apart from Maandeeqs free water scheme, not a single HH (participants) had received

assistance from any other SH in the past few years.

-Coupled with persistent rain failures which reduced LS productivity, mating andproduction for few years now. Most participants dont expect a lot from this Deyr Rains

as well based on recent patterns and their experience.

-Expense food and fodder are the norm at present.

-Both people and LS were physically very weak and extremely vulnerable to diseases dueto lack of nutrition. Maandeeq collected three sheep which were abandoned by

pastoralists near the farm because of this.-In brief, the future is very bleak for local LS producers in the region, for both pastoral

and others. Hence, the real need for urgent formal support and assistance/interventions.

Finally, CLASS would like to thank all survey participants and Maandeeq Livestock farm

(MLF) which facilitated and allowed the survey to take place. CLASS would also like to

thank all local SH who contributed and took part in this survet/assessment, particularly

MLF staff and Burao Universitys VET faculty/officials.

Survey Data of Pastoral HH At/Near MLF In Kabadhere, Burao.

Households

(HH)

No. of

goats

owned

No. of

sheep

owned

No. of

Camels

owned

No. of

donkeys

owned

Totals

Per

HH

Persons

per HH

1 40 20 2 0 61 4

2 110 13 10 1 134 7

3 150 0 5 2 157 8

4 203 0 4 3 210 8

5 80 28 8 0 116 5

6 90 11 3 2 106 5

7 60 34 5 1 100 6

8 77 29 6 0 112 7


5/5

9 180 21 4 1 206 6

10 130 30 0 2 162 5

11 176 0 0 1 177 7

12 135 18 0 2 155 5

13 89 40 0 1 130 414 65 29 3 0 97 4

15 154 20 6 0 180 8

16 140 15 4 0 159 6

17 134 33 5 0 172 7

18 109 21 3 0 133 5

19 200 0 7 0 207 10

20 85 37 0 0 122 5

21 65 40 0 1 106 4

22 45 40 2 0 87 4

23 230 12 0 1 243 6

24 140 8 3 0 151 5

25 60 34 1 1 96 5

26 80 23 2 0 105 4

27 97 10 0 0 107 6

28 90 0 4 0 94 7

29 160 11 3 2 176 6

30 120 24 4 1 149 5

Totals= 3494 601 94 22 4211 174

Mean 225.42 38.77 6.06 1.42 5.7(6)Range 40-230 0-40 0-10 0-4 4-10


Documents

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