The Status of Camel Feed Resources, and Its Management in Ethiopia Somali Region

Camel production is the dominant livelihood option for pastoralist, and also very important livelihood option for agro-pastoralists in Somali region. This study was conducted in five administrative zones of Ethiopian Somali Regional State to assess the current status of camel feed resources, and its management practices. A key informant interview, focus group discussion (FGD), household survey (HH) with structured questionnaire, and field observation were employed as data collection tool. With purposive sampling design for this cross-sectional study, a total of 150 sample household heads were selected. The result indicated that there is variation in camel feed quality and rangeland conditions between the study districts. Despite of this, mismanagement of feed resources coupled with intrinsic camel feed resources shortage and quality deterioration at different seasons is putting the camel production vulnerable to changing climate throughout the region. Although it is not satisfactory to overcome the camel feed shortage in districts, traditional feed managements such as area enclosure (34%), camel migration during drought seasons (90%) browsing land resting (45.3%), and table salt provision to supplement the camel mineral deficiency are implemented but with different status between districts. However, the efforts made do not indicate as it ensures sustainability. Hence, awareness creation on rangeland management to integrate traditional with modern approaches, and capacity building on camel feed resource development, and conservation skills of the existing brows species in the rangelands of pastoral and agropastoral camel herders is highly required.