Rangeland conservation and Restoration

The objective of this study is to identify and quantify the present status of carbon and nitrogen pool in Himalayan rangeland and to make recommendations for enhancing carbon and nitrogen storage for rangeland management. To meet the aforementioned objectives, the field study was conducted in 2011 -2013. The study showed that soil organic carbon was highest in legume seeding sub-plot in topsoil (28.53 ± 2.6) t/ha of heavily grazed area. Similarly, total nitrogen was highest in bottom soil (2.81 ± 0.16) t/ha in legume seeding sub-plot of an enclosed un-grazed area. Usually, heavily grazed and legume seeding sub-plots had more soil organic carbon and soil organic nitrogen concentration compared to others. The value of above ground biomass was an increasing trend with decreasing grazing intensity but for below-ground biomass, it was just the reverse. On the basis of the results of this study, the grazing intensity is positively correlated with above ground and below ground biomass and ...

Milking Cow Breed Type …………………………………………………………………….44 4.3.2. Feeding Resource and System of Feeding ……………………………………………………48 4.4. Respondents' View on Trend of cattle production and Constraints ………………………………51 4.5. Characterizing Butter Marketing and Constraints in the Study Area ……………………………..59 4.5.1. Characterizing Butter Marketing ……………………………………………………………..59 4.5.2. Product on Market and Market Related Constraints of the Product ………………………….60

Critiques of governance arrangements for natural resource management in Australia have expanded rapidly in recent years. Meanwhile, arguments have strengthened internationally that drylands share characteristics that justify a specific 'drylands syndrome' understanding of their management. These issues converge in the drylands of the Murray-Darling Basin (MDB). We explore in this paper the insights that this convergence offers for designing governance arrangements for the natural resources of the MDB. We argue that the characteristics of the MDB drylands justify transformation of these arrangements to those of adaptive governance; and more specifically that this model of governance should be founded on the related concepts of polycentricity and subsidiarity. We explain how three aspects of polycentric governance contribute to the robustness of social-ecological systems and identify the particular relevance of each to the MDB drylands. Even so, transformation to polycentric governance would face formidable obstacles from vested interests and mental models that have adapted to the status quo. Acknowledging the reality that hurdling such obstacles requires strategic preparation to exploit windows of opportunity, we propose several pragmatic steps to be followed in strategically preadapting the MDB drylands for this transformation. Although transforming to adaptive governance is not without risk, we argue that the risks of inaction for the MDB drylands are greater.

The study was conducted at Agricultural Research Centre with the objective of identifying the best-performing perennial grass species under supplemental irrigation and advising the promising cultivated fodder grass for smallholder livestock producers. Randomized Complete Block Design of six perennial grass species with three replications was employed. The six perennial grass species used were T1 (Brachiaria mutica_18659), T2 (Cynodon aethiopicus), T3 (Pennisetum sphacelatum), T4 (Brachiaria decumbense), T5 (Chloris gayana cv. Masaba), and T6 (Brachiaria mutica_6964). The result revealed that agronomic performance of cover, vigor, and height was varied (P<0.001) among perennial grass species. Furthermore, effects of cover (P<0.05), vigor (P<0.05) and height (P<0.001), and dry matter contents (P<0.05) of perennial species over years were found. The dry matter yields and contents of P. sphacelatum (22.85 ton ha-1 and 41.7%) followed by C. aethiopicus (12.53 ton ha-1 and 40.6%) of perennial grass species performed better (P<0.001) than others. The highest (P<0.001) dry matter yield (20.3 ton ha-1) was obtained during the second year of harvest than the first (12.65 ton ha-1) and third (11.36 ton ha-1) year harvests. Similarly, the highest (P<0.001) dry matter percent of the perennial grass species was also found during the second year harvest (50.1%) than the first (25.8%) and third (40.0%) year harvests. The lowest dry matter yield was recorded by C. gayana at the first year (8.5 ton ha-1) and third year (8 ton ha-1) harvests. Likewise, B. mutica_18659 provided the lowest dry matter yield (12.9 tons ha-1) during the second harvest period. Hence, smallholder farmers can preferably be advised to use P. sphacelatum and C. aethiopicus perennial grass fodder crops resources under supplemental irrigation.

This archive IDS Bulletin reflects on 50 years of research on pastoralism at IDS. Much has changed, but there are also important continuities. The ‘end of pastoralism’ was proclaimed widely in the 1970s, yet, as a successful, resilient livelihood adapted to some of the harshest environments on the planet, pastoralism has survived, and remains an important livelihood for many. Over the last 50 years, both pastoralism and development have changed massively. IDS work has attempted to bridge the gap between theory and practice, and to insert new understanding of pastoralism into development planning. This has involved building a coherent analysis of policies and institutions for pastoral development, and then helping to see the results of that analysis put into practice. The issue brings together 13 articles on pastoralism published in the IDS Bulletin between 1986 and 2017. The articles address six overlapping themes: pastoral livelihoods; institutions and common property resource mana...

Nutrients are a substance that promotes growth, provides energy, and maintains life. Any deficient nutrients will limit crop growth. Soil samples were collected from Rare-site inside forest patch in Haramaya University. Five sampling areas were identified inside the forest and the samples were collected at a soil depth of 0 to 20 cm by auger in systematic Zigzag sampling technique. The pH value of sample soil was 7.55, which was modestly alkaline. It was suitable for most of the plants to be grown, but slightly modifying the pH level may require when soil is used for agricultural crop production because salinity affects the upper parts of soil around the crops root. An estimated EC

The study sought to determine whether pastoralists have resorted to sale of livestock as a form of insurance against commercialization of cattle rustling in which well structured and managed cartels have organised more intense and frequent cattle raids on pastoralist, and how their decisions have affected their herd size. The study was conducted among the pastoral Baringo community of Kenya. A sample size of 110 households was selected using multi-stage sampling procedures and interviewed using a questionnaire. Binary Probit Model and Ordinary Least Squares were used in the analysis. Results indicated that cattle rustling, particularly in its predatory state significantly contributes to spontaneous sale of livestock even under very low prices that in themselves could be described as raiding. The results further indicated that the number of livestock lost through cattle rustling dominated livestock sale and hence reduced herd size and the numbers of livestock available for sale. The ...

Résumé Research Application Summary Food poverty among pastoral communities in dryland Kenya Yazan Elhadi1, Nyariki, D.1 & Wasonga, V.1 1Drylands Resource Management, University of Nairobi, P. O. Box 30198, Nairobi, Kenya Corresponding author: [email protected] The dryland area of Kenya has the highest poverty incidence compared to other areas in the country; this is why poverty reduction has been a key government policy goal especially in these areas. These regions are predominantly inhabited by pastoralists and agro-pastoralist communities. The combination of food poverty and lack of alternative livelihood made them vulnerable to extreme climatic condition and change. This study was carried out in larger Baringo District to examine food poverty and the coping mechanisms employed by agro-pastoralists and semi-nomadic pastoralist in dryland Kenya. Results reveal that there is a high poverty incidence and severity among the two communities. At the peak of the food shortage, agro-...

Résumé Research Application Summary Poverty remains rampant in the dry districts of Kenya so that it has now become an important item on Kenya’s development agenda. The dry districts of Kenya receive low amounts of rainfall, which is also erratic. These regions are predominantly occupied by pastoralists and agro-pastoralist communities. Seasonal climatic variability effects these groups differently and therefore impacts on their livelihoods differently. We report in this study the relationship between seasonal climatic variability and poverty in pastoralist and agro-pastoralist communities of Baringo district, Kenya. There was more poverty in the dry than wet seasons. In addition, the number of livelihood sources, distance to market, ownership of livestock enclosure were positively related to per capita daily income. Cultivators were better off than non-cultivators, while education level and access to extension sources positively influenced household income. We recommend a diversifi...

In the lowlands of arid and semiarid rangelands woody plants plays an important role in soil fertility maintenance, providing food, medicine, cosmetics, fodder, fuel wood and pesticides. A better understanding of the interaction of woody plants on their immediate environment is needed to guide optimum management of native vegetation in the production landscapes. However, the impact of woody plant species on soil properties remains poorly understood. This study evaluates the impact of two dominant woody plant species ( A. senegal and B. aegyptica ) on soil physico-chemical properties along grazing gradients in rangelands of eastern Ethiopia. Six trees of each species were selected from light, moderate and heavy grazing sites.  Soil sample data at two depths (0-15 and 16-30 cm) were collected from under and open areas of A. senegal and B. aegyptica from each grazing sites, and analysed for nutrient contents. The nutrient status of soil under both woody species was significantly higher...

تتسب التغيرات المناخية في تهديدات للعديد من حقوق الانسان. فالكوارث الطبيعية من فيضانات وعواصف وأعاصير وجفاف، والموجات الحارة وتغير نمط هطول الأمطار والجفاف، مع تكرارها وتنامي شدتها، تعرض حياة المواطنين لخطر الوفاة، أو الإصابة بأمراض الحرارة وضربات الشمس و الإجهاد الحراري وحروق الشمس، كما تزيد من انتشار الأمراض المنقولة بواسطة الناقلات مثل البعوض، وأمراض سوء التغذية. ارتفاع مستوى سطح البحر نتيجة التغير المناخي يهدد المجتمعات الساحلية والجزرية ومناطق السهول المنخفضة بالغرق، مما يضع سكان تلك المجتمعات تحت وطأة الفقر وفقدان المأوي والهجرة والنزوح القسريين. تتسبب التغيرات المناخية في توزيع غير متوازن للمياه، ونقص في كميات المياة اللازمة للري والاستهلاك البشري في انحاء متفرقة من العالم، مما يؤدي إلى زيادة تكاليف الإنتاج الزراعي ونقص المعروض من السلع الغذائية وارتفاع اسعارها وصعوبة الوصول إليها، وإلى فقدان الوظائف في قطاع الزراعة، وانخفاض الدخل وزيادة معدلات الفقر، وخاصة للفئات الهشة والمهمشة. وهي جميعها أمور تؤثر على العديد من الحقوق الانسانية كالحق في الحياة، والمأوي، والصحة، والغذاء، والحقوق الاقتصادية والاجتماعية للمواطنيين، وحقوق الحماية والأمان، والعدالة والمساواة، والنوع الاجتماعي، والتنمية الاقتصادية.

التصدي لتحديات التغير المناخي يعتبر أساسياً لضمان حقوق الإنسان وتحقيق التنمية المستدامة. تتمثل أهم الاستجابات الدولية للتعامل مع التغير المناخي بما يحمي حقوق الانسان في: التعاون الدولي المبني على تفعيل الاتفاقيات الدولية الخاصة بخفض الانبعاثات، والالتزام بالتمويل الدولي المقرر للدول النامية من أجل العمل المناخي، وتعزيز دور تكنولوجيا المعلومات والابتكار وتطبيقات التكنولوجيا الخضراء، والمشاركة المجتمعية.

حماية حقوق لاجئي المناخ، وحقوق النساء، وتعزيز مشاركتهن في استراتيجيات التكيف والتخفيف، وحماية حقوق الإنسان المرتبطة بالمياه والأمن الغذائي، تمثل أهم تدابير وسياسات الحماية الدولية من تأثيرات التغيرات المناخية على حقوق الانسان. بينما تمثل أهم تدابير وسياسات التكيف والتخفيف في: تحفيز التحول إلى الاقتصاد الأخضر، والاستثمار في مصادر الطاقة النظيفة، وتكثيف استخدام التكنولوجيا للتكيف مع تغيرات المناخ، وتطوير مدن مستدامة لتقليل الانبعاثات الكربونية، وإعادة تطوير المناطق الصناعية القديمة لتحقيق استدامة بيئية واجتماعية، وتعزيز التوعية.

Little information is available about the vegetation impact on soil, comparing the effects of different woody plant species on topsoil properties in subalpine degraded grasslands. Therefore, we studied the effects of three native woody plants with different structural canopies (evergreen needle-leaved vs. deciduous broad-leaved and cushion vs. free canopy) on the nutrient topsoil properties. We selected 20 sites as 20 replications in which all four woody species were found closed to each other in each site. Then soil samples were collected under the canopy of each woody species in June 2019 and transported to the laboratory for physico-chemical analyses. The results showed that generally, woody species differed in their effects on physico-chemical topsoil properties. So that, the needle-leaved evergreen Juniperus sabina exerted the most influence on soil properties compared to Berberis integerrima and Onobrychis cornuta (p < 0.05). Topsoil total organic carbon content was significantly highest under J. sabina and B. integerrima (3.30% and 3.07% respectively), while lowest under O. cornuta and herbaceous vegetation (2.61% and 2.23%, respectively). In addition, soil total nitrogen content was significantly highest under J. sabina and B. integerrima (0.18% and 0.17%, respectively), while lowest under O. cornuta and herbaceous vegetation (0.16% and 0.15%, respectively). The results of this study indicated that in sub-alpine grasslands, the presence and maintaining of woody species is important due to its positive role on substratum soil, considering in the rangeland improvement projects.

The use of enclosures has globally gained popularity as an effective strategy to enhance soil carbon sequestration, but empirical evidence is lacking particularly in arid and semi-arid rangelands of Africa. This study addressed the effectiveness of long-term (15-37 years old) enclosures in enhancing soil carbon sequestration in a semi-arid rangeland of Southern Ethiopia. We tested for differences in soil properties and vegetation characteristics between enclosures and adjacent open-grazed areas, while accounting for effects of age of enclosures and soil depths. Three enclosures age categories (< 20, 20-30 and > 30 years) each paired with adjacent opengrazed areas were selected. We collected soil samples at three soil depths (0-5 cm, 5-15 cm and 15-30 cm), and vegetation attributes from 90 plots within 9 enclosures and adjacent open grazing sites. The results showed that soil properties did not differ significantly (P > 0.05) between the two management systems across the three soil depths. However, relatively higher soil organic carbon content and stock was recorded in the enclosures than open-grazed lands. We recorded an overall mean of soil organic carbon stock of 39.6 ± 3.5 Mg ha − 1 in enclosures of < 20 years old, 40.8 ± 3.4 Mg ha − 1 in enclosures of 20-30 years old and 51.0 ± 4.4 Mg ha − 1 in enclosures of > 30 years old. The soil organic carbon stock for the adjacent open-grazed areas ranged from 34.4 ± 2.5 to 47.9 ± 5.1 Mg ha − 1. The age of enclosures did not show any significant effect on soil organic carbon stocks. However, enclosure management had a significant (P ≤ 0.05) effect on vegetation attributes. We concluded that enclosure had a significant role in terms of soil carbon sequestration and adaptation to climate change.

Combating land degradation in the semi‐arid rangeland of sub‐Saharan Africa is essential to ensure the long‐term productivity of these environments. In the Lake Baringo basin in Kenya, communities and individual farmers restored indigenous vegetation inside enclosures in an effort to combat severe land degradation and address their livelihood problems. This study quantified the benefits of rangeland rehabilitation using yearly communal enclosures&#39; utilisation data compiled by Rehabilitation of Arid Environments (RAE) Trust over a 6‐year period (2005–2010). Results showed that communal enclosures provide a source of income through the sale of fattened livestock, harvested grass seeds, hay, honey and charcoal, among other products. Regression analysis showed an increasing total enclosure income with time. The enclosures also provide grasses for thatching, livestock feed and dry season grazing. Indirect products like milk, blood and meat are essential for household nutrition and fo...

Restoration of palatable grasses on degraded rangelands dominated by unpalatable grasses in central Argentina is limited by low availability of seeds and safe sites for seedling establishment. The objective of our study was to determine how mechanical disturbance of unpalatable grasses (Stipa spp.) in combination with seeding of a palatable grass (Poa ligularis) influenced species composition in a degraded rangeland excluded from livestock grazing. In April 2001 10 blocks were uniformly distributed on a previously burned site dominated by unpalatable grasses, and treatments applied in 8 m  8 m experimental plots. Treatments were 'disked and seeded' and control (no disking, no seeding). Perennial plant cover and end-of-season standing crop, at species or species group level, were assessed in December 2002/2003 and in December 2004/2006, respectively. P. ligularis out-competed both tillers of unpalatable grasses that survived mechanical disturbance and seedlings of unpalatable grasses established after mechanical disturbance. The cover and end-of-season standing crop of unpalatable grasses was higher in the control than in the 'disked and seeded' treatment, whereas the cover and end-ofseason standing crop of P. ligularis was higher in the latter than in the former treatment. Our results suggest that a rapid transition from a state dominated by unpalatable grasses to a state dominated by palatable grasses can be achieved by mechanical disturbance of unpalatable grasses in combination with seeding of palatable grasses in semiarid rangelands of central Argentina.

Until recently, most contemporary ecologists have ignored or diminished anecdotal historical accounts and anthropologists' reports about aboriginal fire in the Great Basin. Literature review shows that Indians practiced regular use of fire for many purposes, including the obvious reasons of increasing the availability of desired plants, maintaining habitats for animals used as food, and driving game during hunts. Historical accounts of prehistoric anthropogenic firing, inferences from fire-scar data, and data regarding annual production capability of representative sagebrush (Artemisia spp.)-perennial grass ecological sites indicate that prehistoric conditions were neither fuel-nor ignition-limited. According to many sources, this ''active management'' by Indians was widespread, significant, and more common than lightning-caused fires, resulting in mosaic vegetation patterns that subsequently moderated the behavior of ''natural fires.'' This interaction between Indian-burning and lightning fires may have strongly influenced the pre-Euro-American settlement vegetation of the Great Basin. At the very least, the landscape was a patchwork of areas altered by aboriginal people and areas shaped primarily by bio-physical processes. Based on this prehistoric precedent, current historically unprecedented conditions (fuel load and exotic weed invasion threats), and predicted climate change, contemporary active management of sagebrush-perennial grass communities is paramount. Restoration measures should be scientifically based and tailored to achieve ecological resilience and functionality in specific sites. Prescribed fire is not always ecologically appropriate or judicious, especially in Wyoming big sagebrush (A. tridentata spp. wyomingensis) communities, so managers should consider using other alternatives where an intentional low severity distubance is deemed necessary. Properly planned active management would disrupt fuel continuity for lighthning fires, ensure ecological process and successional integrity, and benefit multiple uses on a landscape scale.

Local knowledge, which refers to a social activity that has been set up primarily as a result of local initiative, or techniques that are endogenously generated, enforced and maintained has not been mainstreamed in rangeland development programmes in the region. This paradigm unfortunately overlooks the fact that local knowledge and experiences form the basis for locallevel decision making in natural resource management. Recently there has been increasing interest and understanding of traditional knowledge systems in the fields of ethno-veterinary medicine but not so in natural resource management. Consequently, the ecological integrity of the rangelands is deteriorated because of increasing population growth, cultivation, overstocking, felling of trees, and other unsustainable resource utilization methods. In recognition of the role of traditional knowledge in natural resource management and sustainable development, case studies were conducted to document the traditional methods us...

The dryland area of Kenya has the highest poverty incidence compared to other areas in the country; this is why poverty reduction has been a key government policy goal especially in these areas. These regions are predominantly inhabited by pastoralists and agro-pastoralist communities. The combination of food poverty and lack of alternative livelihood made them vulnerable to extreme climatic condition and change. This study was carried out in larger Baringo District to examine food poverty and the coping mechanisms employed by agro-pastoralists and semi-nomadic pastoralist in dryland Kenya. Results reveal that there is a high poverty incidence and severity among the two communities. At the peak of the food shortage, agro-pastoralists sell their assets and reduce the number of meals (90.8% and 82.3%) respectively. Compared to their counterparts during the same period, they mostly buy food on credit (71%) and ask for help from friends and relatives (60.9%). This study recommends more investment in livestock economics and supporting livelihood diversification.

In most pastoral areas of Ethiopia, rangelands have traditionally been managed by customary institutions, especially in Borana but with the start of various pressures, this management system is increasingly undermined and the interventions ended up with little success story but more of in favor of environmental degradations. Looking into indigenous rangeland management practices of pastoral community is a useful way to develop sustainable rangeland productivity. Rangeland plays an essential role in the livelihood activities of Ethiopian pastoralists as well as Ethiopian economy. Numerous researches have been done on rangeland management practices, but little study has been done with respect to the determinants of indigenous rangeland management in specific social, economic and ecological context. In this case, the aim of the study was to assess the determinants of the indigenous rangeland management practices of pastoral communities and assess perception of pastoral households towards the attributing causes of rangeland degradation in Borana. The study employed descriptive and inferential statistical methods to analyze the data. The findings indicated that the indigenous practice accurately reflects the productivity of the rangeland since the Borana area is unpredictable environment and victim for severe drought every year. The results of binary logit regression showed that a unit increase in age of the household head, the odds ratio in favor of practicing in traditional rangelands management increase by 1.096. Holding other variables constant, a unit increase in cultivated farm size would decrease the odds ratio in favor of practicing traditional management by a factor of 0.618. In Borana area, grazing land and water resources are jointly handled. Hence, privately owned grazing land and water points disturb patterns of mobility in a way grazing land use becomes inefficient as grazing concentrates close to the water points, leading to degradation of the rangelands. Access to communal water point was also found to be significant influence on respondents' traditional rangeland management practice at 10% significance level (p < 0.1). On the other hand, the result of odd-ratio indicates that, access to communal water point will increase the probability of rangeland management practice by 0.22 percent. The study recommends bases for ecologically sound and culturally appropriate indigenous rangeland management practices.

Vernacular radio stations such as Kass FM play a major role in promoting food security in the rural areas. Through the radio station the illiterate and the semi-literate community members are informed and educated on new farming techniques that would ensure that they are food secure. The information learnt from Kass FM as enabled the Kalenjin community to have access and availability of food that would provide them with the required dietary needs to be productive and healthy. This study purposed to establish the influence of Kass FM in the promotion of food security among the Tugen in Perkerra Sub-location; Marigat division of Baringo County. The study was guided by three objectives which focused on the effectiveness of Kass FM in empowering the community towards food security, establishing the extent to which the dialects used were understood by the Tugen community and finally to find out the new skills that the community has implemented from the knowledge learnt. The two theories that were used are Information Processing Theory and Diffusion of Innovation Theory. Information processing theory propagates that individuals are more receptive to information that either address a need or that are familiar to them. The diffusion of Innovation theory explains the various processes that new innovations undergo in social system so as to be adopted. The study embraced descriptive survey design with a consideration to both the qualitative and quantitative approaches. A sample of 182 was considered for the study. Data was collected using interview guides. The data was analysed using SPSS and presented by use of graphs, charts and tables. Key findings from the study were; Kass FM positively contributed to promoting food security in Perkerra Sub-location by informing the community about national and regional issues. This was by capitalizing on information provided regarding emerging markets that the community could sell their products as well as price comparison from various markets. Secondly, a blend of various dialects were used to communicate on Kass FM thus enhancing understanding from the Tugen community except for the Aror sub-dialect. The community had learnt and implemented new skills from Kass FM which include drought resistant crops to plant, market intelligence and water harvesting and irrigation. This study recommends that Kass FM appoints and work with a dedicated brand ambassador to address issues of food security across the Kalenjin community. Secondly, Kass FM to have a show hosted by an Aror speaking presenter or co-presenter so as to ensure inclusivity of the Aror community. x

Titles in the Occasional Paper Series aim to disseminate information on Agroforestry research and practices and stimulate feedback from the scientific community. Other publication series from the World Agroforestry Centre include: Agroforestry Perspectives, Technical Manuals and Working Papers.

This study is dedicated to my wife SaphinaJerubet and my daughter Chelsea Jelagat Without whose prayers, support and relentless encouragement during my class and research work, I would not have come this far. I also wish to acknowledge my lecturers and classmate for willingly lending a hand and guiding me to put my work in order. I also thank all my lecturers for teaching me and encouraging me during my studies. Special thanks go to the School of Continuing and Distance Education of the University of Nairobi for giving me an opportunity to further my studies. Finally, thanks to my classmates whose cooperation and support encouraged me to complete my work. v TABLE OF CONTENTS DECLARATION .

We examine the dynamics of gender relations in terms of changes in gender roles and access to resources under recurrent drought conditions in Borana, Southern Ethiopia, using data from household surveys, focus group discussions, key informant interviews, and field observations. Results show that in traditional Borana society, roles are structured on the basis of gender and age groups with women responsible for activities in and around their dwellings whereas men are responsible for livestock management. However, changes in pastoral production due to recurrent droughts seem to be transforming the gender roles so that women's workload, areas of decision-making, and income-earning opportunities have increased.

The study assessed the economic analysis of cattle fattening among beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries of Bank of Agriculture micro credit in some selected Local Government Areas of Sokoto State. Data were collected with the aid of structured questionnaire administered to 300 cattle fatteners. Simple random technique was used to select 150 micro credit beneficiaries and 150 non-beneficiaries. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics and farm budgeting model. The results revealed that 94.7% of beneficiaries and 98% of non-beneficiaries were male with the mean age of 46 and 44 years for beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries respectively. Almost all of the respondents (92% of beneficiaries and 97.3% nonbeneficiaries) are married with 68.6% of beneficiaries and 70% non-beneficiaries having family size ranging from 6 to 10. More so, 41.3% and 48.3% of beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries respectively admitted that farming and Cattle fattening is their major occupation. In term of years of fattening experience, only 18% of beneficiaries and 28.7% non-beneficiaries had more than 10 years of experience. Similarly, results of the farm budget analysis revealed that, an average net income of N37,863.42 and N20,680.51 per cattle fattened were realized by beneficiaries and non-beneficiaries respectively. It is therefore concluded that micro-credit of Bank of Agriculture has positive impact on beneficiaries as they realized more income than non-beneficiaries in the study areas. It is recommended that the bank should decentralize approval powers to branches in order to make loan easier for the cattle fatteners.

A study on effects of bush encroachment control techniques on rangeland productivity and tick population dynamics was conducted in Arero district of Borana zone, southern Ethiopia, for three consecutive years. The study targeted two main and dominant encroaching bush species in Borana rangeland, Acacia drepanolobium and Acacia mellifera, and their effects on some vegetation attributes and tick population dynamics. A hectare of rangeland encroached by these two acacia species was replicated/divided into three plots, and each plot was subdivided into five sub-plots to receive five treatments: cutting at 0.5 m above ground and pouring kerosene on stumps (T1), cutting at 0.5 m above ground and debarking the stumps down into the soil surface (T2), cutting at 0.5 m above ground alone (T3), cutting at 0.5 m above ground and dissecting the stumps (T4) and control (T5). Data on basal and litter covers, soil erosion and compaction, dead and re-sprouted encroaching tree/shrub species and nymphand adult-stage tick populations were collected before and after treatment applications. The applied treatments significantly influenced (p < 0.05) basal cover, nymph-and adult-stage tick population and the two encroaching tree species. The results of this study showed that T3 and T2 were good in controlling A. drepanolobium in that order. T4 and T2 had a significant effect in controlling A. mellifera in their order. Controlling bush encroachment had also a positive effect in eradicating the tick population. The most dominant grass and non-grass species observed after the control actions were Cenchrus ciliaris, Chrysopogon aucheri, Abutilon hirtum, Pennisetum mezianum, Dyschoriste hildebrandtii, Zaleya pentandra and Eragrostis papposa. Therefore, controlling encroaching tree/shrub species had created a conducive grazing area with palatable herbaceous species for the livestock and unequivocally reduced tick population which play a role in reducing cattle milk production through closing off teats. The management of bush encroachment, if sustained, will contribute in stabilizing rangelands and help minimize the negative effects of feed and food crises in the future.

ABSRACT Acacia senegal is a multipurpose drought-tolerant tree or shrub legume, and is commonly used in agroforestry systems in sub-Saharan Africa for gum arabic production and soil fertility improvement. Despite its relatively wide distribution in Nigeria, there has not been exhaustive evaluation on the effects of the tree/shrub on soil physicochemical properties under its canopy forsustainable utilization of the tree. Accordingly, three sitesin the semi-arid regionof Nigeria representing three plantation ages of 7, 27and 37 years old were selected for assessment. Soil samples were collected under tree canopies and were compared with the soils from the open canopies. Results indicated that there were significant differences in soil physicochemical properties among the three ages (P<0.05 and P< 0.01). Generally, soil nutrients under the canopies were higher than in the open canopiesirrespective of the age mainly due to effects of litter accumulation. The tree/shrubhas beneficial effects on soil nutrient status in their natural ecosystems and would most likely improve crop productivity in agroforestry systems such as alley cropping. The resultant improvement in soil nutrients status can increase herbage production in agricultural rangelands thus enhancing animal production in the study area. The tree/shrub growing under different soil types may have an effect on their gum Arabic production and quality.

Background of the Study Agriculture has many important roles in the Ethiopian economy. Ethiopia has divers agro-ecological zones suitable for livestock production. By becoming more responsible for environment and strengthening relationships with rural areas. Agriculture has assumed social roles besides its economic ones the livestock sector faces domestic resources constraints (limited feed supply) and heavily pressure from cheaper livestock important the performance of the livestock sector in sub-Saharan Africa over most of the last two decades has been far from impressive. The production and consumption gap for the major food a commodity has widened across the continent. More than 90 percent of these goats are located in Asia and Africa, with only 1.8 percent in Europe. Where decrease and a pain are the countries with the most leads. Over the past 50 years, the goats' populations have multiplied by 2.4 times, while other livestock species have maintained or decreased their population. About 1 billion goats (1996 120 851) FAOSTAT, 2013). Goat have been the most rapidly expanding livestock subsector for more than 20 years. The world goat's population has increased by about 66 percent over the past 20 years. Compared with 14 percent growth for cod the (FAOSTAT, 2013). However most of this growth has accrued in low income countries (which account for about 80 percent of the world's goats) and most of the goat milk or meat produced for own consumption farms, with ovary small share traded probably loss than percent (Dubeut et al, 2004). Goat population is immense in Ethiopians estimated at 22.6 million heads (ESA, 2016). It is found widely distributed across the different agro-ecological zones of the country (EARO, 2000). Google are found by small holder farmers as an integral part of livestock sub-setter (Tekely and Kasali, 1992) and contribute to both substance and east income generation (EARO, 2000). Goat production plays a vital role in the live hood of small-scale farmers from livestock and an important component of agricultural activities in southern Africa and developing countries. It is the most important agricultural activity in most of the countries in south. Goat production kept for various uses including drought power, milk, meat and

Traditional area enclosures are widely used by pastoralists in East Africa. However, the response of basic soil properties to the establishment of traditional enclosure management remains poorly understood. The aim of this study was to investigate the impacts of area enclosure on soil organic carbon and total nitrogen stock in the Bordade rangelands, eastern Ethiopia. The soil samples were collected from twelve area enclosures and openly grazed areas at a depth of 0 to 15 and 15 to 30 cm. The samples were analyzed for soil organic carbon, total nitrogen and bulk density. Establishment of area enclosure had significantly more 27.5% soil organic carbon and 27.5% total nitrogen stock compared with the area outside area enclosure. Soil organic carbon and total nitrogen stock were significantly higher in the top 0 to 15 cm soil layer compared with 15 to 30 cm subsoil. Overall, the study showed that establishment of rangeland enclosures and the short-term resting period followed by dry season grazing at light stocking rate has the potential to improve soil organic carbon and total nitrogen stock, which is an option for realizing positive vegetation changes that support the local pastoral economy in the semiarid rangelands of eastern Ethiopia.

An estimated 690 million people worldwide are hungry denying them the fundamental human right on food. Agriculture, which ought to play a crucial role of sustaining household food security is climate sensitive, hence suffer from the effect of climate change and variability.The fundamental elements of food security which include availability, access, utilization and stability have become untenable. This paper examined the indigenous agricultural diversification strategies and their implication on household food security in Baringo County, Kenya. Descriptive survey design was used in the study. A sample of 140 households and 12 Agricultural Extension staff were selected using purposive, proportionate and simple random sampling techniques. Questionnaire, Focus group discussion guide and observation checklist were used to collect data. The findings indicated that a wide range of diversification strategies including knowledge and skill based, enterprise based, diet based, food sources, f...

Developing-country rangelands are vast and diverse. They are home to millions who are often poor, politically marginalized, and dependent on livestock for survival. Here we summarize our experiences from six case-study sites in sub-Saharan Africa, central Asia, and Latin America generally covering the past 25 years. We examine issues pertaining to population, natural resource management, climate, land use, livestock marketing, social conflict, and pastoral livelihoods. The six study sites differ with respect to human and livestock population dynamics and This chapter is dedicated to the memory of an exemplary international rangeland scientist, Thomas L. Thurow (1955-2016).

Drought has significant impacts in climate sensitive sectors in ASAL areas of Kenya. Despite the existence of drought early recovery strategies, Turkana central suffers from extreme drought conditions with negative implications on livelihood security. The study presents the effects of drought on livelihood options with great emphasis on the early recovery strategies such as crop farming under irrigation, livelihood diversification, sending children to school, social protection programs, livestock keeping/migration and social support network. The analysis undertaken in this study was to identify the effectiveness of the drought early recovery strategies used by the communities in Turkana central sub County to augment shortfalls occasioned by drought episodes. During the study, drought early recovery strategies were analyzed to determine whether they were able to withstand, cope and recover from the effects of drought.

This study carried out a local vulnerability assessment or measure to climate change in Baringo County. According to Posey (2009) most adaptive responses are made at the local level by resource managers, municipal planners, and individuals at the household level (household heads). As posted by Fazey et al. (2010) and Yoo et al. (2011) there has been relatively little attention given to how assessments can be conducted in ways that help build capacity for local communities to understand and find their own solutions to their problems. The study sought to address this empirical lacuna by conducting a household vulnerability assessment at the local community level with the focus n establishing household vulnerability among resident of Baringo County Kenya. The evaluation of vulnerability considered the following characteristics the scale of vulnerability. These characteristics conveyed information on diverse natural environments and heterogeneous socioeconomic structure at multiple scales which lacks in aggregate vulnerability indices. This was in line with Boyce (2003) who states that inequality aggravates environmental degradation, including climate change. The scale analysis of vulnerability took into account the bio-physical environmental difference of locations and the socioeconomic contextual differences at the local level. Heterogeneity of locations even within a country or specific region is often responsible for differential response (i.e. coping capability) to that hazard (Adger, (1999); Carina & Keskitalo, (2008) and Engle & Lemos, (2010). Therefore, this study established the scale of vulnerability by looking at the heterogeneity of socioeconomic contexts such as institutions, population, social network and culture, for this may affect the "local" vulnerability to climate change. The vulnerability assessment also involved tools and processes used to assess the vulnerability of a community and its natural resources to climate change. The approach as suggested by (

Coping and adaptation to the impacts of climate change such as drought is increasingly necessary. Due to the expanding global impacts of climate change coping and adaptation agenda among various agencies, it is of primary importance to understand the coping and adaptation strategies in order to generate the most appropriate and effective interventions. The study established drought coping and adaptation strategies employed by households in Baringo County and this was based on Pressure and Release (PAR) model which grounds the framework for understanding vulnerability to disasters and adaptation. The 224 household heads were selected by simple random sampling out of which 204 completed the questionnaire. The study adopted description research design. Data was analyzed by both descriptive and qualitative statistics where the SPSS package version 22 was used in the analysis where the chi – square and percentages were obtained. The study established that households had various drought c...

Introduction: Rangeland ecosystems provide multiple ecosystem services, including feed resources for wild and domestic herbivores in semi-arid areas. However, under the ever increasing environmental changes, the impact of rainfall variability on the productivity and vegetation dynamics of rangelands are the great challenges that pastoral community are facing today. As a result, the potentials of most rangelands in semi-arid ecosystems affect the livestockproduction. Therefore, we studied the interconnections between the long-term rainfall variation and the rangeland Water Requirement and Satisfaction Index (WRSI) in Mieso, Jigjiga, and Shinile districts under pastoral conditions of Ethiopia. Methods: The base period rainfall data (1984-2015) was obtained from the National Meteorological Agency of Ethiopia, whereas the future rainfall trend was predicted using MarkSim software (Representative Concentration Pathways 4.5 GHG concentration trajectory). Mann-Kendall's statistical tests, coefficient of variation, LEAP software (version 2.61), and Minitab Software (version 15) were used to assess the relationship between rangeland WRSI and long-term rainfall variability. Results: The result indicated that mean annual rainfall anomaly had strong positive correlation with rangeland WRSI in Mieso (P < 0.05), Jigjiga (P < 0.001), and Shinile (P < 0.001) pastoral areas. Similarly, short and long rainy seasons had positive association (P < 0.001) with rangeland WRSI, especially in Jigjiga and Shinile pastoral districts. The base period rainfall as well as the predicted annual rainfall showed variability in amount and distribution in all studied districts in pastoral areas of Ethiopia. Conclusions: The mean annual rainfall anomaly is correlated with the rangeland WRSI. Moreover, the future rainfall trend analysis indicated that variability of rainfall would be expected in between the years 2020-2049, 2040-2069, and 2070-2099. Thus, the future rainfall variability would limit future rangeland WRSI under pastoral conditions of Ethiopia. Based on our study, we suggested establishment and implementation of early warning systems to reduce the likely impact of rainfall variability on future rangeland potential in dry lands under the pastoral production systems in eastern Ethiopia.

This study was conducted to assess rangeland resource utilization and management practices, specifically to assess the effect of drought and conflicts over rangeland resource, expansion of unwanted plants species, in Afdem district located in sitti zone, Somali regional state of Ethiopia. In this study, Pastoralist rangeland resource utilization practices were assessed using structured questionnaire (50 households), visual observation and group discussions, The data obtained through the questionnaire from assessment of rangeland resource utilization and management practice were analyzed by using SPSS version 16 by using description statistics like frequency, percentage then presented in the form of tables. Nearly, majority of the respondents were lack of education (illiterate) and pastoralism was the most dominant production system in the study area. The natural grazing land was more important and only source of livestock feed and there is no privately owned land and also most of the respondents preferred communal ownership of the grazing land for the period of time that is to come. The most common rangeland and livestock management practice strategies adopted by the pastoralists included seasonal migration, herd splitting, range classification and soft grazing as mentioned by the majority of the respondents. So strengthening of the pastoralists' indigenous knowledge through giving attention and recognition, as well as organizing awareness creation programs on proper rangeland management and improvement measures which suitable to the area must be undertaken. In the district, expansion of rain fed crop production might be full of risks, because of the uncertain of the rainfall as well as the nature of the community.

Weather extremes negatively affect socioeconomic developments in arid and semi-arid areas (ASALs) and increase vulnerability of residents to food and water insecurity. Thus, communities adapt to such extremes of weather using Traditional Ecological Knowledge (TEK) and/or Modern Technologies. Modern farming technologies and land resource developments in ASALs have in past ignored TEK, and in most cases led to undesired outcomes. It's against this backdrop that this study was conceived to assess TEK among the Turkana people, its application and contribution to food and water security. The research adopted a cross-sectional social survey in collecting data from Central Turkana Sub-County residents. The study revealed that the Turkana people possess vast knowledge related to their environment; that this TEK plays a significant role in food production, preservation and in natural resource management. For instance, in 82% of the respondents use TEK in enhancing livestock production through the selection of livestock species that are suitable and drought tolerant; over 70% of them use TEK in reducing risk associated with livestock losses due to prolonged droughts. Further, TEK influenced the development and conservation of the water resources (r = 0.631; p < 0.01) including siting boreholes and wells. There was a strong correlation (r = 0.755; p < 0.01) between TEK and food security. TEK should be incorporated into the decision-making processes involving development projects within the ASALs.