IMPACT OF ENVIRONMENTAL DEGRADATION ON AGRO PASTORAL LIVELIHOOD STRATEGIES: A CASE STUDY FROM BENA TSEMAY COMMUNITY, SOUTH OMO ZONE, ETHIOPIA

Abstract

Livelihood strategies are at the centre of development. However, identification of the numerous factors that determine the abilities of rural household’s choice of livelihood strategies in Ethiopia has received little attention and there was no more study undertaken. The purpose of this study was to impact of environmental degradation on agro pastoral livelihood strategies of Bena Tsemay communities of South Omo Zone SNNPR, Ethiopia. To achieve the objectives ,representatives data were collected from 150 sample household heads from three sample kebeles, which were selected using purposively sampling by considering agro-ecological conditions moreover, three FGD each group composed 8-12 from different individuals and from different socio-economic status and age groups were also included in the study. Key informant interview also made with DAs in the Woreda. The study revealed that the main source of income in the study area are livestock (1-35.5TLU) and rain fed subsistent agriculture (0-4500 ET birr), which adversely affected by unpredictable rainfall (67.1-193.3(mm) drought and high temperature (27.2-29.7°c). To adapt this climate variability agro-pastoralist are using adaptation strategies along with drought and inconsistent rainfall variability. Moreover, the study also identified women, children, elderly, the poor and landless were the most vulnerable to the livelihood (livestock and crop cultivation) and climate variability effects (drought and in consistent rainfall). A research also suggest that increasing of agro-pastoral with integrated adult educationbuilding capacity, introduction of improved breeds of livestock and quality and quantity of forage products and livestock confined to stall how to use modern livestock rearing and disseminate agricultural technologies and inputs to the community, restoring the degraded environment, diversifying source of income .Will contribute for sustainable livelihood strategy.