Ethiopian Pastoralists make an immense contribution to the national economy despite living in some of the most inhospitable and drought-prone parts of the country. Fundamental misconceptions about the pastoral production system in Ethiopia have led to a general perception among policy makers that pastoral lands are underused and therefore should be developed. Such misperceptions have subjected pastoral communities to political and economic marginalization. These economic misunderstandings have an important impact on the environmental goods and services that pastoralism provides, since they lead to low and misdirected investment, poor service provision and promotion of less sustainable alternatives to pastoralism. This paper will argue that pastoralism contributes significantly to the GDP of Ethiopian economies.
This review on the total economic value of pastoralism has two broad objectives: reviewing the economic significance of pastoralism and the direct and indirect economic contribution of pastoralism to the Ethiopian economy.
The future of pastoralism is the subject of national and global discussions. The concerns are receiving attention from the scientific community to generate knowledge and share experiences and best practices that may offer solutions for the survival of pastoralism and the millions of people who depend on it.
Table of Contents
Part I Introduction
1.1. Objectives
1.2. Statement of the problem
1.3. Significance of the Study
1.4. Approach and Methods
PART II: TOTAL ECONOMIC VALUES OF PASTORALISM IN ETHIOPIA
2.1. The Economic Valuation Definitions and Concepts
2.2. The livestock economy and Economic significance of Pastoralism
2.3. Total Economic Values of Pastoralism in Ethiopia
Part III. Concluding and Recommendations
3.1. Conclusions
3.2. Recommendations
Research Objectives and Focus Areas
This paper aims to review the Total Economic Value (TEV) of pastoralism within the Ethiopian economy, providing a comprehensive overview of both direct and indirect economic contributions to address fundamental misunderstandings regarding the sector's viability and importance.
- Economic significance of pastoralism in Ethiopia
- Direct economic contributions (livestock products, sales, meat, milk)
- Indirect economic contributions (draft power, tourism, manure, services)
- Methodological frameworks for valuing pastoral production systems
- Policy implications for drylands and pastoral development
Excerpt from the Book
2.1.1. Definition of Pastoralism
Pastoralism is a subsistence (economic) pattern in which people make their living by tending herds of large animals. It is most often an adaptation to semi-arid open country in which farming cannot be easily sustained (Kandagor DR., 2005).
Pastoral development is the development of a livelihood system where households make more than half of their income from livestock-related activities using some degree of mobility to access commonly managed pastures. Such livelihood systems are not necessarily based entirely on livestock – they may include some agriculture, hunting or selling charcoal for example – but livestock are the principle source of income (Kratli and Swift, 2014).
Other definitions relate to the natural resource base in the production system. According to (Dietz, 1987) pastoralism is a livestock-based or a pasture-based economy, in which livestock directly or indirectly provides more than half of the food needs of households.
Summary of Chapters
Part I Introduction: This chapter introduces pastoralism as a key production system and livelihood strategy in Ethiopia, highlighting its significant contribution to the national economy and the existing misconceptions about its productivity.
PART II: TOTAL ECONOMIC VALUES OF PASTORALISM IN ETHIOPIA: This section provides the core valuation analysis, covering economic concepts, the significance of the livestock economy, and a detailed assessment of both direct and indirect economic values derived from pastoral activities.
Part III. Concluding and Recommendations: The final chapter summarizes the findings regarding the high economic value of pastoralism and suggests policy interventions to better integrate and support this vital sector within the national economy.
Keywords
Pastoralism, Total Economic Valuation, Ethiopia, Livestock Economy, Direct Use Value, Indirect Use Value, Pastoral Development, Agricultural GDP, Food Security, Subsistence Economy, Rangeland Services, Economic Significance
Frequently Asked Questions
What is the primary focus of this paper?
The paper examines the Total Economic Value (TEV) of pastoralism in Ethiopia to demonstrate that it is a viable and highly significant economic sector, rather than just a low-productivity subsistence activity.
What are the central themes discussed in the work?
The core themes include the definition and scope of pastoralism, the economic contribution of livestock production to the national GDP, the role of unofficial trade, and the valuation of indirect services like draft power and tourism.
What is the primary research goal?
The goal is to review the economic significance of pastoralism and quantify its direct and indirect contributions to provide a sound basis for advocacy and informed policy-making.
Which methodology is employed for this research?
The paper relies on the Total Economic Value (TEV) framework and utilizes secondary data from previous studies, national reports, and existing documentation to estimate the value of pastoralism.
What topics are covered in the main body?
The main body covers the conceptual framework of economic valuation, the livestock economy's role in Ethiopia, the official and unofficial export sectors, and the estimation of indirect values such as draft power and manure.
Which keywords best characterize this work?
Key terms include Pastoralism, Total Economic Valuation, Ethiopia, Livestock Economy, and Economic Significance.
How is milk production accounted for in the pastoral sector?
The study notes that a large portion of milk produced is consumed within pastoral households, meaning official statistics often significantly underestimate its true economic value because it does not pass through commercial markets.
Why is there an emphasis on cross-border livestock trade?
The paper highlights cross-border trade because it represents a substantial portion of economic activity that is frequently missing from official export data, leading to an inaccurate picture of pastoralism's contribution to national export earnings.
- Quote paper
- Soboka Gebisa (Author), 2015, Assessing the total economic value of pastoralism in Ethiopia, Munich, GRIN Verlag, https://www.grin.com/document/467916
