Newly evolving pastoral and post-pastoral rangelands of Eastern Africa

Over the past two decades, the rangelands of Eastern Africa have experienced sweeping changes associated with growing human populations, shifting land use, expanding livestock marketing and trade, and greater investment by domestic and global capital. These trends have coincided with several large shocks that were turning points for how rangeland inhabitants make a living. As livelihoods in the region’s rangelands transform in seemingly paradoxical directions, away from customary pastoralist production systems, greater insight is required of how these transformations might affect poverty and vulnerability. This article reviews the state of what is known regarding directions of livelihood change in the rangelands of Eastern Africa, drawing on case studies of structural change in five settings in the region. It considers the implications of long-term change, as well as the emergence of very different livelihood mixes in pastoral rangelands, for efforts to reduce poverty and vulnerability in these places.

Changing Pattern of Farm and Non-Farm Livelihood among the Bodos: A Study in Bodoland Territorial Areas of Assam, India

The objective of this paper is to examine the pattern and intensity of inter-generational and intra-generational changes in livelihood, taking the case of the Bodos, the largest scheduled tribe of Assam, India. The data for the study has been collected from 1161 randomly selected Bodo households in Bodoland Territorial Area Districts of Assam. The intensity of inter-generational and intra-generational livelihood changes has been measured through a rate developed for the purpose. Further, the association between the livelihood attributes has also been tested. The study finds that the intensity of intra-generational livelihood change is less than that of the inter-generational change. Livelihood change is more prominent from the farm to the non-farm sector. Though livelihood changes have taken place between the generations, the sectoral selection of livelihood by the present generation is closely associated with the livelihood of the preceding generation. Steps for infrastructure development to unfold farm and non-farm sources of income are required. Agro-based industrial units should be promoted, and required skill development initiatives should be taken so those poor households can diversify their livelihood portfolios.

The livelihood adaptability of households under the impact of climate change in the Mekong Delta

PurposeThis paper aims to provide a deep understanding of rural household livelihoods in the Mekong Delta and to explore how they can cope with climate stressors at the ground level.Design/methodology/approachThe paper employs the sustainable livelihood framework at a household and also an individual scale. The general data obtained from a survey of 2,100 households provide an overview of their livelihoods. Qualitative and quantitative methods were adopted, as case studies, to comprehensively assess 100 households in one commune affected by annual floods and an additional 100 households in another commune affected by sea level rises. Livelihood profile analysis is beneficial to identify specific livelihood change patterns that have taken place in these specific cases.FindingsThere are four types of livelihood adaptation to climate stressors: (1) change of structure of agricultural systems, (2) change of employment locations, (3) resettlement with strong impact on livelihoods and (4) out-migration. The household livelihood resources and the local economic structures have significant roles in driving adaptive solutions.Research limitations/implicationsThis paper provides detailed profiles of the livelihood change considered as passive adaptation of smallholders in the Mekong Delta.Originality/valueIt contributes to the knowledge of rural households in multiple aspects with regard to how they cope with climate change via reflection on their livelihoods.