The Impact of Climate Change on Somali Pastoral Communities

Abstract

This study explores the impact of climate change on Somali pastoral communities, and on how agro-pastoralists perceive climate change and available adaptation strategies was gathered from Somali-pastoral communities in the rural districts of Sool and Sanaag in Somalia, a country in the east of Africa and the horn of Africa that extends from just south of the equator northward to the Gulf of Aden and occupies an important geopolitical position between Sub-Saharan Africa and countries of Arabia and southeastern Asia. The research was carried out in northern Somalia, which is currently the self-proclaimed and unrecognized republic of Somaliland, particularly in the eastern regions of Togdheer. The study employed a qualitative research design to investigate the effects of climate change on Somali pastoral communities, how it affects their ways of life, whether positively or negatively, and the available adaptation measures. The findings reveal that destocking, diversifying livestock feeds, modifying animal breeds, and relocating animals to new locations are all important adaptation techniques for livestock producers. Expanding the herd and introducing new breeds are two options for achieving desired adaptability. One of the most significant barriers to adaptation is a lack of financing or money, followed by a lack of land and inputs. Farmers' adaptation is hampered by a lack of markets, especially for purchasing additional animals or different breeds or species.