Collective Actions in Agro-pastoral Communities of Shabelley Woreda, Somali Region.

Abstract

Collective action is organized when greater benefits are expected through joining a group than acting individually. Collective action
enables to achieve goals that individuals could not meet in isolation. This study is conducted to identify type’s collective actions
practiced by agro-pastoral communities and to explore management of collective actions in Shabelley woreda. The selection of Shebelly woreda and agro-pastoralists who took part in the focus group discussions was done purposively. From shabelley Wereda six Kebeles were selected randomly. Data were collected through focus group discussions and data were analysed through narration. Five types of collective actions were identified. These include construction and management of ponds and water wells, collective herding, labor sharing groups (guus), milk collection and marketing groups, and mag-paying groups (a collective responsibility for paying blood
compensation). Each of the collective actions consists of joint decisions, designing management rules and setting rules of conduct of
group members. Whenever, agro-pastoral communities establish informal organization in a group, they establish institutions and the
institutions are enforced by elders. The government need to support collective actions and their institutions, since the collective actions
has a great role in development and conflict resolution.