The Ethiopian economy, largely reliant on the pastoralist system, is significantly impacted by its use in semi-arid regions, ensuring livelihoods and export markets. The study aims to assess the strengths, weaknesses, and overall impact of these initiatives on pastoral communities. Moreover, it explores the resilience factors exhibited by these communities, identifying cultural practices, adaptive strategies, and community-driven approaches contributing to their ability to withstand challenges. Additionally, the research endeavors to uncover transformative pathways within these initiatives, seeking innovative strategies that can enhance sustainability, socio-economic growth, and environmental conservation among pastoral communities in Ethiopia. Emphasizing the significance of informal user rights in rangelands, the review highlights mobility flexibility, diverse livelihood options, and market access as pivotal factors supporting pastoral adaptability. It suggests that initiatives integrating indigenous ecological knowledge with modern technologies, skills training, and participatory land use planning hold promise. The review underscores the importance of legal recognition of customary tenure to empower communities to address challenges through traditional institutions. Urgent reforms centered on participatory decision-making, tailored services, and collaborative efforts across stakeholders are deemed essential. Formalizing pastoral resource governance and cooperation are considered initial steps toward unlocking pastoralism’s potential via rights-based approaches that honor mobility and local knowledge. The review concludes with core recommendations, focusing on formalizing user rights, integrating mobility into planning, supporting diversification, providing strategic services, and fostering multi-stakeholder collaboration to bolster pastoral resilience in Ethiopia’s variable climate, safeguarding their livelihoods and heritage amid an uncertain future.
Cite this paper
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