Ethiopian Economic Association, Ninth International Conference on the

EthiopianEconomy

July 21-23rd, 2011, Addis Ababa

Pastoral Innovation in Somali Region-Town Camels and Milk Villages

The Case of Gode Town

By: Abdi Abdullahi Hussein, Seid M. Ali and Abdiruhman E.

Tahir.

Why pastoral innovation?

“ we are responding to natural changes from rain fall pattern to the unfavorable plant species, from social life starting at family to political governance of federalism, and to the borderless movement of technologies, commercial goods and people, and global markets presenting both opportunities and challenges at our door steps”. Pastoralist elder

1. Trends influencing pastoralist innovation in Somali Region, Ethiopia

The growth of small towns Returning population Decentralization of power and resources Services (health, education, water, transport)

Expanding livestock markets Commercialization of livestock products-milk

trading routes Irrigated farming and livestock fodder

production Camels commercial and food value-a new factor

in pastoral livelihood and Ethiopian Economy

Camel milk trade routes

12

3

4

2. Camels in Town-Gode Case

Initiation of the innovation-one person start the initiative

Hundreds of dairy camels in and around Gode

Camel husbandry in the new systemPrivate herdFeed on natural and grown pasture on

irrigation farms. (Special feed-camels soup)Less labour intensive

Camels in town...cont’d

Production and economic benefits458,760 lactating camels produce 608,315,760

liters equals 345,736,680 birrAverage family monthly income 1200 birr

Linkage between the new and traditional production systemStrong bondage between the two systems-

extended family relation maintainedBenefits of new system-lower work loads,

better accesses to markets and easy accesses to social services

3. Major challenges Competing land uses near expanding towns

Compound ignorance ( Not knowing I don’t know) on camels and Pastoral economic benefits

Lack of recognition as town residents who depend on camels

Lack of support and incentive Young generation knowledge gap Long term decreasing in camels milk demand

4. Winners and losers from the innovation

Town residents, petty traders, innovative dairy camels owners, women and poor pastoralists

Women controls income from milkThe younger generation and poor

pastoralist on the loser side Lack of skill for the younger generationMilk as commercial commodity-from shared

commodity to sold commodity

5. The way forward Documentation of innovations Recognition and support of town pastoralistsExtension service to pastoral systemScaling up of fodder production

Zczc Capitalise on surplus milk from pastoral areas-

milk taxiesLand allocation in growing towns for camel

diaries Introduction of technologies

THANK YOU