Causes of Food Insecurity Among Pastoral Communities in Harshin Woreda, Somali Region, Ethiopia

Abstract

Background: Food insecurity is a persistent problem in Ethiopia and the pastoralists in drylands is significantly exposed. Harshin Woreda is a repeatedly draught prone Woreda in the Somali region due to poor infrastructure, institutions and so on. Objective: to assess causes of food insecurity of pastoral households in Harshin woreda on related factors as livestock-related constraints, income related factors and pastoral conflict. Methods: The study followed an explanatory sequence design mixing quantitative and qualitative approach. 276 sampled households (beneficiaries of WFP) were randomly selected and collected information using questionnaires; and key informant interview (8) and one FGD were used. Descriptive statistic and thematic analysis were employed. Result: Out of food insecure households 65.9% (276*0.659 = 182) were recorded. The major causes of food insecurity identified were drought effects (72.1%), low pasture productivity (59.4%), livestock diseases (55.1%), market access problems (65.6%), and pastoral conflict (74.3%) (key). lack of other income sources for other activities (59.4%) and absence of rural credit facility (73.6%).The major causes of pastoral conflict were competition over grazing lands (70.3%) and water points (16.3%), which consequently resulted in livestock losses and a reduction in asset ownership (key). Conclusion: Food insecurity of pastoralists in Harshin Woreda is primarily related to both biophysical, economic, and socio-political factors. These include drought, feed unavailability, livestock disease, market system failure and pastoral conflict over grazing lands and water resources. Though aid agencies deliver emergency support in many situations, it is usually reactive. Pastoralists have traditional skills in management, yet capital, knowledge, and credit constraints limit their activity to pastoral livelihoods and diversification is limited.