OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALTERNATIVE LIVELIHOODS IN KARAMOJA

Transcription

1 OPPORTUNITIES FOR ALTERNATIVE LIVELIHOODS IN KARAMOJA Ondoga, J. J 1. August Jackson J. Ondoga is a private consultant, and Household Economy specialist

2 Disclaimer: This report was written by Jackson J. Ondoga (Private Consultant) The content and presentation of material in this report is the sole responsibility of the Consultant and does not imply the expression of any opinion whatsoever on the part of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations or of the European Commission. Opportunities for Alternative Livelihoods in Karamoja i

3 TABLE OF CONTENTS TABLE OF CONTENTS... ii KEY ABBREVIATIONS... iii 1.0 BACKGROUND/EXECUTIVE SUMMARY INTRODUCTION OBJECTIVES OF THE RESEARCH NATURE OF THE RESEARCH/METHODOLOGY FINDINGS... 3 CONCLUSION List of Tables Table 1: Acacia Senegal... 5 Table 2: Acacia seyal... 6 Opportunities for Alternative Livelihoods in Karamoja ii

4 KEY ABBREVIATIONS FAO - FOOD AND AGRICULTURE ORGANIZATION HEA - HOUSEHOLD ECONOMIC ANALYSIS FEG FOOD ECONOMIC GROUP HPI HUMAN POVERTY INDEX FGD FOCUS GROUP DISCUSSION IDI IN DEPTH INTERVIEW KPS KARAMOJA PRIVATE SECTOR TOT TRAINERS OF TRAINERS Opportunities for Alternative Livelihoods in Karamoja iii

5 1.0 BACKGROUND/EXECUTIVE SUMMARY Karamoja region suffers cyclic drought every two in three years which when occurs leads to severe food insecurity due to crop failure and high loss of livestock. House Hold Economy Analysis conducted by FAO in May 2010 identified crops and livestock as the only major sources of livelihoods in the region. In the past three consecutive years there has been no crop harvest, low conception for livestock, poor health and high deaths of livestock which leads to low livestock prices because of the prolonged dry spells in the region. As a result poverty in the region continues to increase every year. To remedy this scenario alternative sources of livelihood should be identified in order to diversify the sources of food and cash income that are viable for the region. FAO through Samaritan s Purse undertook a rapid survey of eight field days in July The objectives were to identify opportunities for alternative livelihoods and areas of small business for possible scale-up activities to compliment HEA s findings. Focus Group Discussions were carried out with community leaders, house hold members, and various group members in all the districts in the region. In- depth discussions were conducted for the government and NGO officials. Sources of information in this report were got from these respondents. The region has minerals such as gold, marble, and limestone that exist around Mount Moroto. The communities in the area are already involved in mining of these minerals but in small quantities. Karamoja Private Sector has made attempts to mobilize and train the communities in mining. Marble and limestone is being bought by Tororo cement Factory while gold is bought by local traders and those from Kenya. The communities only need technical support and financial support from government or organizations to scale up the activity. The region is again blessed with natural trees and plants such as Gum Arabic, Aloe sap, tamarine, Amarelle and palm sap that can be used in conventioneer, pharmaceutical, printer, wine and juice industries. There are already 2002 members registered by Karamoja Private Sector with 40 primary branches all over the region and 70 TOTs trained to help the registered members on technical issues. Samples of all these products have been sent for certification abroad to UK, USA, France and Uganda. All results have already met the international and national standards. As a result there is high demand for the products from international buyers from Europe and USA and in Uganda. The only problem is that the international buyers are not ready to come to the region because of insecurity. That therefore means government or local/international organizations operating in the region should buy these products from the local community and export them abroad. Income generating activities such as bee keeping, poultry and rabbit keeping; brick laying, sale of produce and house hold items, milk processing and sale of processed milk; and grinding mill operation are other alternative sources of livelihoods that can generate cash income to the youth and women in very rural areas. 2.0 INTRODUCTION Karamoja region is semi arid area which suffers from cyclic drought which when occur leads to situations of severe food insecurity. HEA survey conducted in May 2010 by FAO and FEG identified livestock and crops as the only major livelihoods with natural resource exploitation as minor. With the frequent prolonged dry spells that now occur two to three years, poverty is increasing and this is attributed to reliance on a single economic activity in all the three zones, persistent poor harvest, cattle rustling and insecurity; animal death; lack of water; poor farming practices; ill health and disability; lack of skills and unemployment; limited sources of income. As such Karamoja region has the highest Human Poverty Indices (HPI) of above 53% compared to the national average which is 37.5%. It is against this background that FAO through Samaritan s Purse commissioned this study to identify opportunities for alternative sources of livelihood in order to diversify sources of food and cash income that are viable for the common Opportunities for Alternative Livelihoods in Karamoja 1

6 man in Karamoja. In addition, the study was to supplement the HEA profiles by proposing concrete technical options and implementation processes to better define urgent transitional and medium term interventions. Alongside an improvement in other factors especially governance, the alternative sources of livelihood so identified are expected to have a multiplicity of positive impacts on the Karimojong. 3.0 OBJECTIVES OF THE RESEARCH 1. To identify alternative sources of livelihood for Karamoja region 2. To identify areas of small scale business for possible scale up- activities 4.0 NATURE OF THE RESEARCH/METHODOLOGY The study focused on small business oriented groups of particular economic enterprises. It was preliminary in nature and it focused on value chains, profitability, and the feasibility of scale up of initiatives currently working on small scale. The study was done using qualitative techniques because it was rapid and explorative in nature. These techniques also allowed for gaining a deeper understanding of the attitudes, perceptions and beliefs so as to develop short to medium term interventions. The techniques employed were: a) Focus group discussions (FGDs) b) In depth interviews (IDIs) Focus Group Discussions (FGDs) FGDs are an effective method of exploring and comparing views and attitudes. Group discussions encourage a spontaneous and free flowing exchange of opinion among the participants and are suitable for researching areas such as perceptions, beliefs and attitudes towards the subject. Also given the demographic composition of Karamoja, with many illiterate/semi-literate livestock keepers and farmers, FGDs were preferred. The discussions were recorded in note books by the consultant with the help of experienced interpreters. In-depth interviews (IDIs) Just like in the case of FGDs, the IDIs were conducted in English and or translated into a language that respondents were most at ease with. This focused on fairly literate and knowledgeable respondents who were deemed to be able to give an in-depth analysis of the situation on ground. Target respondents A] Existing local businessmen/women B] Farmers i.e. livestock keepers, honey producers. C] Community leaders D] Local residents [youth and women] E] District leaders F] Private sector AREAS COVERED DISTRICT SUBCOUNTY PARISH RESPONDENTS Opportunities for Alternative Livelihoods in Karamoja 2

7 Moroto Rupa Rupa Gold, marble and limestone miners. Moroto Nadunget Nadundet Gum Arabic group, community leaders and households. Moroto District head Moroto municipal District leaders and Karamoja Private Sector quarters Amudat Amudat Katabok Aloe sap group, community leaders and house holds Amudat Loro Loro Brick laying groups, women groups, grinding mill groups, households, community leaders and sub county officials Nakapiripirit Fruit processing groups Kaabong Kamunio All Grinding mill group, honey producers, vegetable grower groups, households, community leaders and sub county officials Abim Town council Town council Members of group. 5.0 FINDINGS 1) Gum Arabic and Aloe Industry Karamoja region is blessed with natural resources such as gum Arabic and Aloe sap which thrive in the dry climatic conditions of the region. Gum Arabic can be used in soft drinks industries for making soda. Aloe can be used for making soap, tea leaves and in pharmaceutical and printing industries. State of Gum Arabic and Aloe industry in Karamoja region The resources are already mapped by Karamoja Private Sector (KPS) and the information on the location, quality and quantity is available with KPS. Attempts are already being made by KPS to build the capacity of the local communities in production, handling and processing of Gum Arabic and Aloe. There are forty branches with 2002 members who have registered. Seventy Trainers of trainers (TOTs) have already been trained in harvesting, handling and processing of these products by KPS. Samples of Gum Arabic and Aloe have already been sent for certification to France, UK and USA and results have met the international standards. KPS has already got market and links with international companies such as CNI of France, Heady Group of Ireland and in national companies in printing industries. Aloe which is currently being processed in small scale has high market in Kenya. A resource center to house all these products has been allocated to KPS by Moroto local government and the central government. Opportunities for Alternative Livelihoods in Karamoja 3

8 RESOURCE DISTRIBITION IN KARAMOJA REGION Opportunities for Alternative Livelihoods in Karamoja 4

9 Table 1: Acacia Senegal DISTRICT Density Class Mean Density (ha) Area (ha) Population (stems) Estimated Yield (MT) Kotido Low , ,135, Medium , ,701, High 1, , ,995,707 2, Subtotal 247, ,833,011 3, Moroto Low , ,317, Medium , ,528, High 1, , ,352, Subtotal 110, ,199, Nakapiripirit Low , , Medium , ,531, High Subtotal 15, ,959, TOTAL 373, ,991,038 4, Opportunities for Alternative Livelihoods in Karamoja 5

10 Table 2: Acacia seyal DISTRICT Density Class Mean Density (ha) Area (ha) Population (stems) Estimated Yield (MT) Kotido Low , ,046, Medium , ,553, High 1, , ,980, Subtotal 129, ,581,023 1, Moroto Low , ,957, Medium , ,326, High 1, , Subtotal 131, ,328,818 1, Nakapiripirit Low , , Medium , ,375, High 1, , Subtotal 14, ,684, Total 274, ,594,209 2, Constraint/ problems International buyers are not ready to come to the region to buy because of insecurity. That therefore means local organizations should export the products to Mombasa. Areas where there is plenty of Gum Arabic are now being occupied by the warriors especially in Napak district. These have refused to surrender their guns which make it difficult for the communities to access the Gum Arabic. Local cooperative societies do not have funds to purchase, store and package the products. Most communities lack knowledge and skills in proper handling, processing, and transportation and storage practices. There is lack of means of transport since collection centers are far away from the settlement areas. There is no partnership amongst the local and international organizations operating in the region. Communities lack tools and protective wear. Areas of interventions Strengthening of local organizations that are engaged in Gum Arabic activities Linking of the region to national and international markets. Training of local communities in proper practices. Provision of necessary tools and protective wear to the community. Provision of processing plants for Gum Arabic and Aloe in the region. Opportunities for Alternative Livelihoods in Karamoja 6

11 Recommendations International organizations should be in partnership with local organizations. Local cooperative societies involved should be funded by the international organizations which are currently promoting the two plants. KPS and other local organizations should continue linking the communities to external markets There should be studies carried out on Aloe sap growing in the region. The capacities of the local governments (Environment officers, production staff and marketing officers) should be developed through trainings. 2) Wild fruit industry The region is blessed with wild trees which grow in the forests. The fruits can be used for beverages or taken fresh. Tamarine and Marula are fruits that are now being made into juices and wines. Attempts have already been made by KPS to train women groups in Nakapiripit, Abim, and Moroto districts. The four groups are already processing tamarine into juices and wine which is marketed locally and nationally. The products have already been tested for certification and the results have met national standards. If the groups were elevated, this industry will provide jobs for over 1000 people as fruit collectors are currently getting Shs 2000 per basin for Amarula and Shs 4000 per basin for tamarine. It will also employ 300 people as processors. The price of processed products ranges from Shs 7,000 to Shs 10,000 per liter. Challenges /problems Lack of capital to produce on a large scale Difficulties in getting the packaging materials. Lack of processing machines and storage facilities. Inadequate knowledge and skills in the industry. Lack of land in some areas to establish the industries. Provision of Capital to the termarine and Amarula groups in terms of soft loans so that they can be able to improve on their production levels Provision of processing and packaging machines so that they improve on the quality of the produce to internationally acceptable standards. Training of more women groups in fruit growing, handling and processing. Training should also be in basic marketing skills Linking of the groups to local and international markets so that they can get better prices. Construction of storage facilities. Sensitize locals on protection of these endangered species. Drill bore holes to supply water during processing Recommendations More fruit processing groups should be identified to engage in this business. 3) Honey and wax industry (IGA) The honey from Karamoja is taken to be of high quality because it is obtained from Acacias and Aloe flowers which have medicinal characteristics. Traditionally the people in this region are wild honey gatherers. The IK, Pokot and Tepeth Opportunities for Alternative Livelihoods in Karamoja 7

12 tribes depend greatly on sale of honey as a major source of income. NAADs program has groups trained in bee keeping but the group members have not got adequate knowledge and skills in bee keeping. OXFAM is supporting groups in IK by providing modern bee hives to the community but the training aspect is still inadequate. From traditional hives households are able to obtain 200 litres of crude honey in a year. A liter of crude honey costs about 4,000 shillings and in a year a house hold with 10 hives can earn 800,000 shillings. With the readily available market for the crude honey if only the quality of honey in the region is improved through proper handling, processing and packaging, IK, Tapeth and Pokot and the Nakwae community in Abim district will increase on their cash income which will improve their livelihoods greatly. Constraints and problems Lack of knowledge and skills in bee keeping. Traditional bee hives are used. Lack of capital to start. Lack of protective wear. Rudimentary methods are being used making honey unpalatable for local and national markets. Bee pirates and black ants. Low colonization Training of members in bee keeping, honey harvesting, handling, processing, storage and marketing. Support communities in establishing apiary farms. Provide improved hives, harvesting equipments and protective wear and packaging materials to the groups. Establish a honey processing plant in the region. Construct stores for keeping honey. Linking of the groups to the markets. Recommendation The IK community and sub counties in Amudat should be the first target as they are already involved in the activity. 4) Mining industry(iga) Gold, Marble and limestone are the main minerals found in the region. Communities in Rupa Sub County are already involved in open cast mining of Gold on individual basis. Marble and limestone mining is also an ongoing activity in Rupa and Kothiro sub counties in Moroto district. The markets for these mines are available locally, nationally and internationally in Kenya. KPS has already trained and linked the marble and limestone miners to Tororo cement factory which is buying limestone at Shs 30,000 to 60,000 per lorry depending on the capacity of the truck. A gold miner is able to get between Shs 5,000 to 15,000 per day depending on one s luck. Constraints/problems The communities are exploited by the factory and buyers of Gold by paying less money compared to the general market prices. Local organizations/ companies do not have funds to process marble and limestone locally. The communities have little or no knowledge and skill to mine these minerals which is leading to injuries of many miners. Opportunities for Alternative Livelihoods in Karamoja 8

13 Mining is done manually thus making the whole exercise tedious. Mined gold is confiscated by unknowns all times(insecurity) Locations of available minerals are known but the maps of colonial times is out dated. Lack of water for gold mining during dry season. Provide machinery for separating, purifying and packaging of gold. Train the community in gold mining and excavation and processing of limestone. Provide necessary tools such as diggers, crushers and construct processing kilns in the community. Provision of water for gold mining (water harvesting by constructing valley dams). Organize the community to form groups that can make them bargain well with the buyers. Link such groups formed to buyers or companies locally or nationally. Recommendations The region should be re-surveyed and re-mapped to know locations for more minerals and quantity of the known ones left. The international organizations should support the local organizations which are already involved with the community in mining. The region should be linked to national and international markets. 5) Cash crops Crops such as upland rice, sunflower, sorghum and cotton can grow well in the wetter and semi arid belt of Karamoja region for both food and income generation. There is readily available market for these crops locally and internationally (sorghum is needed by Nile breweries, sunflower by Mukwano company and cotton by cotton industries). However currently nobody is talking about promoting these crops to earn cash. Constraints /problems Local governments, local organizations and international organizations operating in the region are not putting emphasis on these cash crops. Communities are not sensitized on the importance of growing these crops. Market information about cash crops is lacking. Support local initiatives. Support farmers with early maturing and high yielding seeds of the mentioned crops. Provide farmers with ox-ploughs and oxen or tractors to open large land for commercial purpose. Organize farmers into groups for each crop. Recommendations Farmers already growing these crops should be targeted. Farmers should be asked to form groups. 6) Small scale business [buying and selling of produce and household items] Most of the places are far away from the towns or trading centers. To purchase food items and other necessary house hold items such as salt, soap and matches, women travel long distances. There is also lack of public transport in most places even if one had money to pay for the transport. Most of the women spend more time of the day travelling, leaving the home responsibilities to the children. Having such small scale businesses will allow food items such as cereals and other necessary household items at close proximity. There are already groups in Kamioni sub county [IK] in Opportunities for Alternative Livelihoods in Karamoja 9

14 Kaabong and Loro Sub County in Amudat districts where groups are buying food and selling to the community at cheaper prices Constraints /problems Lack of capital for such groups to start such businesses. There is fear that items can be looted on the way since insecurity still exists in the region. Poor road net work and lack of public transport in most of the areas will make the groups realize less net profit. Lack of stores and buildings for shops. Support such groups with soft loans to start the business. Ensure security along the trading roots and entire region is improved. Train such group members in business skills. Link such groups to sellers from whom they can buy these commodities. Improve on the roads in the region. Construct stores and shops Recommendations Areas targeted should be those far away from trading centers or towns. Intervention should target those groups who are already doing the business. Intervention should target mostly women who are caring for the children and house hold. Intervention should be restricted to sale of food items, cereals, cooking oil and basic household items such as salt, soap, etc. 7) Livestock Although restocking of animals in agro-pastoral and agricultural areas is seen as causing insecurity, the communities in pastoral areas believe stocking the area with camels and high breed traditional goats will improve their livelihood. There is plenty of browse in the zone from which these animals can survive during dry season and good security as they are near to their tribes mates from Kenya. Camels have few death cases compared to cattle and produce more milk for a longer period. Also camels can survive well in adverse dry spell. Goats can produce twice in one and half years and even if they die replacement will be faster than cattle. Already some members of the community have been trained by Api- cow, a local organization to administer drugs and manage their livestock as this was reported in Amudat district in Loro Sub County. Constraints/problems Lack of capital to buy camels which cost about 1,500,000 shillings. Animal diseases especially for goats and lack of capital to purchase the animal drugs. Lack of water during prolonged dry spell for the animals. Provide the needed animal drugs and vaccines for the animals on regular basis. Support the community by supplying the camels and traditional goats. Construct valley dams or put wind mills in the areas of intervention. Train the community in proper animal husbandry practices and handling of animal drugs. Establish animal drug shops that can be run by the community who are trained to handle the drugs. Opportunities for Alternative Livelihoods in Karamoja 10

15 Recommendations Intervention should only be done in pastoral areas where there is plenty of browse and fewer cases of goat diseases in the sub counties of Katabok, Loro in Amudat district and Katikikale in Moroto district for the goats. Stocking should be given to organized groups of the same interest. 8) Milk processing industry (IGA) Milk is the major source of food in the region especially in the pastoral areas. The milk is either taken fresh or churned into cultured milk, or ghee and butter which are processed in a traditional way thus leading to poor quality and waste. Many households in the region would wish to sell milk but because of distant markets and lack of proper milk preservation and processing practices, only those near the trading centers can sell milk and even then with low prices of about Shs 200 per liter in most places. Thus introducing local and appropriate technologies to improve milk preservation and processing into various products would add value and increase house hold incomes. Already, women groups in Loro sub county are processing milk into yoghurt which they sell in Amudat town at Shs 500 to 600/= per liter. Constraints/problems Lack of capital to start. Lack of preservation and processing equipments. Lack of skills in milk handling, preservation, processing, packaging, storage and marketing. Lack of storage facilities. Training of interested group members in milk processing Supporting the group with soft loans to start the business. Support the groups with necessary preservation and processing machines. Construct storage facilities. Link the groups to markets. Provide logistics preferably donkeys or bicycles to the groups. Recommendations Pastoral areas should be the first to target as the amount of milk produced is high in this zone and access to markets is poor. Only organized groups should be the beneficiaries. 9) Brick laying ( IGA) With the creation of new districts in the region, faster development is taking place. The newly created district headquarters and trading centers require infrastructure which needs a lot of bricks, stones, aggregate sand and labor. That therefore means that there will continue to be available markets for these items which will generate income for the group members. A group of women and youth in Loro sub-county are already engaged in the business of brick laying. In January this year, the group sold 10,000 bricks at Shs80 each. Constraints /problems Lack of capital to start the business on a medium scale. Lack of necessary skills and tools. Lack of first Aid skills and equipment. Trainings in brick laying and mansion work. Opportunities for Alternative Livelihoods in Karamoja 11

16 Provision of necessary tools to the groups. Provision of First Aid kits to the groups. Recommendations Groups that are already doing the activity and are near to the developing towns and trading centers should be the ones to benefit first. 10) Grinding mill (IGA) Sorghum and maize are the staple foods consumed in the region. During bumper harvests the women travel long distances to the trading centers to grind the cereals. Even when there is no harvest, most of the household cash is spent on purchase of these cereals which still require grinding. Providing grinding mills at parish level to women groups will help reduce time spent in travelling. Oxfam is supporting a group in Kamion sub-county in Kaabong district. The group has a grinding mill which they charge 100/= per kilogram to grind compared to 200/= per kilogram in Kalapata trading center. The group from the savings made, is now buying cereals in bulk and selling to the community cheaply. As of now the group has over 2 million in their bank account. Constraints /problems Insecurity which can cause machines to be stolen. Lack of capital to start. Support women groups in far rural places by providing mobile grinding mills to help reduce money spent on grinding or stationary grinding mills to generate income for the group members. Provide capital to groups to start. Recommendations Areas which are far away from towns and trading centers should be the ones to be targeted. At Manyaata level the mobile grinding mills should be promoted while at sub county level stationary grinding mils are preferred. 11) Poultry keeping and Vegetable growing (IGA) This applies to the IK community in Kaabong district. Much of their culture and community life revolves around farming, gathering of wild foods and hunting. In the past they used to keep some animals but because of constant insecurity caused by the neighbors like Karimojong in Uganda, Turkana in Kenya and Topoza in Sudan, IK community no longer keep livestock due to fear of being raided. They now leave on the hills of Timu, Kamion and Lokwakaramoe which are far away from main markets. They now cultivate in the forests by felling trees. This has resulted into degradation of the environment around. They have a few economic distinctions between themselves that makes it difficult to obtain accurate information about their economic differentiation. Apart from sale of honey and natural resource products such as firewood, charcoal and crafts, there are no other income options for this group. Introducing poultry and rabbit farming in area will generate cash income and provide animal protein in their diet which currently is lacking and may cause serious nutritional problems. This is because the volatile neighbors are not interested in the birds and smaller ruminants. Also the climate on the hills and the soil type favor growing of vegetables such as tomatoes, chilli, cabbages, Irish potatoes, onions, carrots etc. The waters running down during rain seasons can easily be harvested by constructing valley dams to irrigate the vegetable fields during dry seasons. Oxfam currently is supporting a Group in Kamion which is growing vegetables which they sell in Kalapata trading center and Kaabong town at good price. The same enterprises can also take place on Mount Moroto where the Tepeth who speak similar language like the IK live. They share similar risks and environment. Constraints/problems Opportunities for Alternative Livelihoods in Karamoja 12

17 Lack of knowledge of keeping poultry and rabbits Insecurity. Lack of water during dry seasons Lack seeds and animal breeds. Vegetable pests and diseases. Poultry and rabbit diseases. Lack of capital to start. Establishment of poultry and rabbit farms. Establishment of police posts or military detaches in IK areas to protect the community. Provision of vegetable seeds and animal breeds. Provision of soft loans to the groups to start these small farms. Construct valley dams in areas where vegetables can be irrigated during dry seasons. Provision of transport to transport their produce to markets. Train group members in proper crop and animal husbandry practices and marketing. Link the groups to buyers. Recommendations The above mentioned enterprises and honey production should be promoted since these two tribes are disadvantaged because of small population and lack of defense and cannot easily access markets and other social services. CONCLUSION From the above findings on the state of Gum Arabic, Aloe/wild fruit industry, honey/wax industry, mining, brick laying, milk processing and livestock, alongside cash crops; it is evident that the region is already engaged in very many projects. If people were mobilized more, linked to right market for their products with involvement of the local organizations/associations for instance the KPS plus help with start up capital in form of soft loans, for value addition for their products their is no doubt that if these recommendations were implemented very well, not only will it provide the people of this region with alternative sources of livelihoods but will enhance their food security which for along time has been a big challenge for the region, because this will increase household income levels hence the purchasing power for food items, medical e.t.c meaning that even if they had poor harvest they can still buy food crops from outside the region without necessarily selling their cattle at a give away price. Opportunities for Alternative Livelihoods in Karamoja 13