Socio-ecological impacts of large-scale interventions in Omo-Turkana Basin

In their paper “Social-ecological change in the Omo-Turkana Basin: a synthesis of current developments”, published in Ambio (https://doi.org/10.1007/s13280-018-139-3) in January 2019, Jennifer Hodbod, Edward Stevenson et al synthesise current available knowledge on the impacts of the Gibe III dam and associated large-scale commercial farming in the Omo-Turkana Basin in southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya.

The authors use social-ecological systems and political ecology frameworks to assess the impacts of these interventions on hydrology and ecosystem services in the Basin, and the effects on local livelihoods, patterns of migration and conflict dynamics. They see a landscape-scale transformation occurring, in which commodities – rather than staple foods for local consumption – are becoming the main outputs of the region. Mitigation measures initiated by the Ethiopian Government – notably resettlement schemes – are not adequately buffering the affected communities from food insecurity after the interventions have disrupted the local livelihood systems. Labour migrants are benefitting, while the costs of development are borne primarily by the local agro-pastoralists in the region. The authors consider measures that might maximise benefits from the changes underway and mitigate their negative outcomes.

Posted on 11 January 2019 in Pastoralism & Extractives, Pastoralism & Natural Resources, Pastoralism, Policy & Power, Pastoralist Livelihoods & Nutrition