Camel Feed Characterization of Ethiopian Somali Region Rangelands through Traditional Knowledge

Abstract

The study was conducted in five administrative zones of the Ethiopian Somali Regional State, with the objectives of characterizing the major camel browse and grazed plant species and their seasonal availability in pastoral and agro-pastoral areas. A semi-structured questionnaire, group discussions, field observations, and key informant interviews were used as the primary data collection tools, while different secondary data sources were also used. A total of 150 household heads were selected purposively for formal interview. The results showed that most (90.7%) of the respondents were male and 85.3% of the sampled households were illiterate. It was revealed that browsing trees and shrubs were the major camel feed resources in pastoral and agro-pastoral areas. Although the quality and quantity of camel feed vary in dry (66%) and wet (88%) seasons; trees and shrubs were the major feed resources at all seasons, while the herbaceous species cover only 34% in both pastoral and agro-pastoral areas. The identified camel feed species in the study districts comprise 38 tree species, 20 herbaceous species, 12 shrub, 7 bush, and 17 grass species. The study revealed that there is a need to raise awareness among the pastoralist and agro-pastoral communities on the importance of browse plant species management and sustainable utilization.