Economic Contribution of Range Land and Its Willingness to Pay For Rehabilitation In Pastoral and Agro-Pastoral Areas of South Omo Zone, Southern Ethiopia

Abstract

The study was initiated to assess the economic contribution of range land and its willingness to
pay for rehabilitation in pastoral and agro-pastoral areas of South Omo Zone, with the
objectives of identifying determinants of Willingness to pay for Rangeland rehabilitation in
Pastoral and agro pastoral area, to estimate the contribution of range lands in pastoral & agro
pastoral areas and to identify major constraints faced by pastoralists and agro pastoralists in
the study areas. Data were collected by employing focus group discussions, household survey
using a structured questionnaire, and key informant interviews. Economically range land
contribute as source of income from firewood(charcoal), honey production, medical plants, raw
materials for agriculture, housing materials, home furniture and more of the time for grazing.
The respondents show their willingness to pay in terms of labor days and money. From these the
average minimum labor days were recorded in Gurimamero, which is 24 labor days/household
and the average maximum labor days were recorded in Ocholoch, which is 184 labor
days/household. In terms of money the average minimum ETB were recorded in Sitnba kebele,
which is 13.90 ETB/household and the maximum were recorded in Gurimamero kebele which is
32.33 ETB/household. The major livestock production constraints in the study area were
drought, feed and water shortage, and animal health problems. There are no rangeland
improvement practices undertaken in the study area to improve the condition of the rangelands.
Mobility is one of the measures taken to solve a shortage of livestock feed and water in the study
area. But many of the pastoralists replied that they often face conflicts during migrations. The
pastoralists or agro-pastoralists indigenous knowledge about range-livestock management and
decision making about their environment should be incorporated while the government, nongovernmental organizations and research centers found in the area are planning about rangelivestock development projects for the study districts.