索馬利蘭畜牧業可持續性經營模式之研究

Abstract

This thesis is premised on the argument that it is high time to reorient pastoralism to secure the livelihoods of those who are engaged in the sector, whose livelihoods are mired in severe climate-induced vulnerability. Nonetheless, the study takes a neutral tone reviewing the literature of those who insist that preserving pastoralism is crucial and those with contrasting views. The corpus of literature on the subject comprises tenaciously contrasting views on whether pastoralism is the epitome of rangeland management systems or whether it is a destructive method of production impairing ecosystems. While each side of the debate has its own merits, it is astonishingly apparent that less emphasis is given on the human element of pastoralism. This necessitates the need to recalibrate the discussion on the subject of pastoralism both in Somaliland and worldwide. The need for an overhaul of pastoralism with the primary goal of improving the welfare and human capital of those who are involved in the industry calls for a discussion. This thesis contends that pastoralism in its current form have too many shortcomings to deliver elevated productivity, better access to basic amenities (i.e. education and health) and increased income levels. For this reason, it is inevitable to thoroughly examine the system with the objective of preserving its beneficial elements while discarding its inefficient aspects. This thesis asserts that climate change and environmental degradation are the major factors exerting the greatest negative pressures on pastoral communities ruining their livelihoods. Therefore, an intervention in pastoral systems to build their resilience is of paramount importance, particularly in fragile environments. This study posits that re-structuring the sector into a market-oriented industry underpinned by profit maximization tenets arranged into cooperatives will greatly diminish its vulnerability to external shocks while providing secure livelihoods to pastoral communities. The study elaborates this by presenting a conceptual framework highlighting the interplay of different factors impacting pastoralism and how they can be circumvented through commercialization of pastoral productions.

This thesis is premised on the argument that it is high time to reorient pastoralism to secure the livelihoods of those who are engaged in the sector, whose livelihoods are mired in severe climate-induced vulnerability. Nonetheless, the study takes a neutral tone reviewing the literature of those who insist that preserving pastoralism is crucial and those with contrasting views. The corpus of literature on the subject comprises tenaciously contrasting views on whether pastoralism is the epitome of rangeland management systems or whether it is a destructive method of production impairing ecosystems. While each side of the debate has its own merits, it is astonishingly apparent that less emphasis is given on the human element of pastoralism. This necessitates the need to recalibrate the discussion on the subject of pastoralism both in Somaliland and worldwide. The need for an overhaul of pastoralism with the primary goal of improving the welfare and human capital of those who are involved in the industry calls for a discussion. This thesis contends that pastoralism in its current form have too many shortcomings to deliver elevated productivity, better access to basic amenities (i.e. education and health) and increased income levels. For this reason, it is inevitable to thoroughly examine the system with the objective of preserving its beneficial elements while discarding its inefficient aspects. This thesis asserts that climate change and environmental degradation are the major factors exerting the greatest negative pressures on pastoral communities ruining their livelihoods. Therefore, an intervention in pastoral systems to build their resilience is of paramount importance, particularly in fragile environments. This study posits that re-structuring the sector into a market-oriented industry underpinned by profit maximization tenets arranged into cooperatives will greatly diminish its vulnerability to external shocks while providing secure livelihoods to pastoral communities. The study elaborates this by presenting a conceptual framework highlighting the interplay of different factors impacting pastoralism and how they can be circumvented through commercialization of pastoral productions.