Change From Pastoralism To Irrigated Farming

The climate in Fantida in Ethiopia has always been harsh, and its people have traditionally led a semi-nomadic pastoralist lifestyle, herding cattle and camels, to maximise the area's limited natural resources. Today, because of climate change, there is hardly enough fodder and water for the animals, so the pastoralists are trying to irrigate their land to make it suitable for cultivation.

Fantida village lies on the banks of the Awash River, and has a population of just over 600. FARM-Africa helped the villagers build a narrow water canal from the river and provided hand pumps, allowing the immediate land area to be irrigated.

Rising Temperature Brings Diseases: Haisemma Dellihu has taken a leading role in the village's transition from pastoralism to agropastoralism. He is 38 years old, has two wives and 11 children, aged between 14 days and 23 years. According to Haisemma, the area has experienced serious climate change over the last 30 to 40 years: "In the time of our fathers, conditions for rearing animals were good. The dry seasons were not so hot and there was only a limited amount of disease. Rain came in three seasons: sugum, deda and karma. There was plenty of fodder and water for the animals in the wider area.

"Now, because the temperatures have risen so much, disease is a problem and we only get a little rain during the karma season. Before climate change brought such dry and hot weather, we had meat and we utilised various products from the animals. Now we do not even have enough milk.

"Fodder - acacia and grass - was not growing well so we had to reduce the number of cattle. Then we needed to shift from large animals like cattle and camels to smaller animals like sheep and goats. We used to have large numbers of cattle and camels, but now we only have a small number of sheep and goats, due to less grass. When even the sheep and goats started to contract diseases, we started looking for other options like growing crops."

Becoming Farmers: For the last two-and-a-half years, the community of Fantida has been working with FARM-Africa to learn and improve their agricultural methods: "We did not have any farming experience, so we needed technical and practical training," says Haisemma. "We have learned how to hoe, plough and sow. This area used to be covered by acacia, but now we are trying to clear it, plough the land and plant maize, tomatoes, onions and peppers. Irrigation has made it possible to produce crops and fodder for the animals which, in turn, generates additional income for bringing up our children."

Shift to Farming Improves Status of Women: One of the consequences of the shift from pastoralism to farming is the increased involvement of women in food production. This, together with workshops organised by FARM-Africa to promote gender equality and discourage female circumcision, has resulted in a higher status for women in Fantida. Haisemma seems pleased with this change: "Previously women had a very heavy workload. They collected firewood, cooked, kept goats, and cared for children and the elderly. Now they are participating more in meetings and development activities. There is also a bit of a change at the home level. Men have started to assist women at home and women are becoming more involved in farming."

A Farming Future: The farming experience in Fantida has been a positive one and they are hoping to expand this work. However, expansion depends on external support, as Haisemma explains: "Before the canal, we did not have any alternative ways of survival. During a drought, we moved the animals from one place to another, trying to find water and fodder for them. Now we have a large arable area, but we don't have enough seedlings and water to cultivate such a large area. We need more water pumps, seedlings, and vegetable and crop seeds. If we receive help with this, we can come up with a new strategy for life."

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