This paper outlines a proposed research plan for examining socio-economic change in the pastoral economy of the lowland region of Baringo Districta Kenya. Specially, it focuses on changes which are occurring because of (1) deterioration in the "terms of trade” with the agricultural sector (i.e., Tugen Hills) and (2) increasing demographic pressure. It is suggested that to understand socioeconomic change in a pastoral society a regional approach which includes neighboring agriculturalists must be adopted. This study should contribute to a better understanding of East African pastoralism through investigation of production strategies among pastoralists especially decisions concerning agricultural production and specialization in livestock in relation to both trade relations with agriculturalists and a changing land/people ratio. Moreover, by examining social organizational changes which are taking place because of transformations in the pastoral economy attention will be given to the manner in which the developmental cycle of the household economy interacts and sometimes constrains the pastoralist decision-maker's ability to pursue certain economic opportunities. It is hoped that the proposed research, with its focus on production alternatives to pastoralism will provide a valuable data base for the current Baringo Semi-Arid Area Development Project.
by
Jason R. Rohr;
Christopher B. Barrett;
David Civitello;
Meggan E. Craft;
Bryan Delius;
Guilio A. DeLeo;
Peter J. Hudson;
Nicolas Jouanard;
Karena H. Nguyen;
Richard S. Ostfeld;
Justin Remais;
Gilles Riveau;
Susanne H. Sokolow;
David Tilman
Infectious diseases are emerging globally at an unprecedented rate while global food demand is projected to increase sharply by 2100. Here, we synthesize the pathways by which projected agricultural expansion and intensification will influence human infectious diseases and how human infectious diseases might likewise affect food production and distribution. Feeding 11 billion people will require substantial increases in crop and animal production that will expand agricultural use of antibiotics, water, pesticides and fertilizer, and contact rates between humans and both wild and domestic animals, all with consequences for the emergence and spread of infectious agents. Indeed, our synthesis of the literature suggests that, since 1940, agricultural drivers were associated with >25% of all — and >50% of zoonotic — infectious diseases that emerged in humans, proportions that will likely increase as agriculture expands and intensifies. We identify agricultural and disease management and policy actions, and additional research, needed to address the public health challenge posed by feeding 11 billion people.
This brief addresses the rationale and priorities for investments in trade in livestock and other agricultural commodities such as market development and access, cross-border trade, and sanitary, phytosanitary and food safety standards, to build resilience in the drylands.
It should be noted at the outset that livestock trade functions reasonably well in the Intergovernmental Authority for Development (IGAD) countries. As shown by the impressive growth in the volume and value of trade in livestock and animal products in the region since 2001, markets are functioning reasonably well. A rough estimate is that trade in livestock and livestock products in the IGAD countries (Djibouti, Eritrea, Ethiopia, Kenya, Somalia, South Sudan, Sudan) equals USD 1 billion or more in foreign exchange in many years, and probably 5–6 times that amount in local currencies. Live animal and meat exports, especially from Ethiopia, Somalia/Somaliland and Sudan, have increased rapidly as has domestic trade centred on key urban markets such as Addis Ababa, Khartoum, Mombasa and Nairobi. Much of what we suggest in this brief describes actions that can be taken to ensure that producers in the lowlands of the Horn benefit from growing trade opportunities.
For two decades, Ethiopia has been one of the world’s leading recipients of food aid and the largest recipient in Africa. There are frequent claims that rural Ethiopia suffers from a food aid dependency syndrome that constrains productive investments and hinders sustainable development. Yet, is it true that rural households in Ethiopia are excessively dependent on food aid?
This research brief addresses food aid dependency in one of Ethiopia’s most chronically food insecure areas: South Wollo (including the neighboring Oromiya Zone), which has been referred to as the buckle in the country’s so-called “famine belt.” Using household and community data from a three-year study, this brief argues that, while large numbers of Ethiopians receive food aid, only a small percentage are highly dependent on it, even during the frequent droughts. Instead of food aid, households often rely on purchases, gifts, and other sources to meet consumption needs. Uncertainties surrounding the amounts and timing of food aid delivery have taught local farmers not to depend on it. Yet, official perceptions of food aid dependency can be used to justify socially and economically costly programs like resettlement, while discouraging investments in local livelihoods. The research findings caution that these perceptions might be mistaken
Using a predetermined set of criteria, including burden of anemia and neural tube defects (NTDs) and an enabling environment for large-scale fortification, this paper identifies 18 low-and middle-income countries with the highest and most immediate potential for large-scale wheat flour and/or rice fortification in terms of health impact and economic benefit. Adequately fortified staples, delivered at estimated coverage rates in these countries, have the potential to avert 72.1 million cases of anemia among non-pregnant women of reproductive age; 51,636 live births associated with folic acid-preventable NTDs (i.e., spina bifida, anencephaly); and 46,378 child deaths associated with NTDs annually. This equates to a 34% reduction in the number of cases of anemia and 38% reduction in the number of NTDs in the 18 countries identified. An estimated 5.4 million disabilityadjusted life years (DALYs) could be averted annually, and an economic value of 31.8 billion United States dollars (USD) generated from 1 year of fortification at scale in women and children beneficiaries. This paper presents a missed opportunity and warrants an urgent call to action for the countries identified to potentially avert a significant number of preventable birth defects, anemia, and under-five child mortality and move closer to achieving health equity by 2030 for the Sustainable Development Goals.