Land, sugar and pastoralism in Ethiopia: Comparing the impact of the Omo-Kuraz sugar projects on local livelihoods and food (in) security in the lower Omo Valley

Large-scale sugar plantation projects in Ethiopia's Lower Valley of the Omo, such as the Omo-Kuraz scheme, have significantly disrupted local agro-pastoralist livelihoods and land use systems without fulfilling economic or community needs. Despite starting in 2011 with state backing, these projects have remained contentious, failing to align with either governmental goals or pastoralist requirements. The study highlights that shifting development perspectives to prioritize local knowledge and practices could foster cooperation and sustainable adaptation. Using qualitative methods like focus group discussions and key informant interviews, researchers found that the projects imposed pressure on land management while neglecting the needs of pastoral communities.

Gebeyehu, A. K., & Abbink, J. (2022). Land, sugar and pastoralism in Ethiopia: Comparing the impact of the Omo-Kuraz sugar projects on local livelihoods and food (in) security in the lower Omo Valley. Pastoralism, 12(1). https://doi.org/10.1186/s13570-022-00242-8