Livelihood Patterns of Nomadic Households in Drought Conditions (Case Study: Nomadic Households of Sistan and Balochistan Province)

Document Type : Research Article

Authors

1 Assistant Professor, Member of Agricultural Research Center and Education of Baloochestan; Agricultural Research Education and Extension Organization; Tehran, Iran

2 Associate Professor of Sociology, University of Sistan and Balushestan; Zahedan, Iran

3 Assistant Professor in Anthropology, University of Tehran; Tehran, Iran

Abstract

Introduction: The nomadic livelihood patterns are directly related to the conditions of their living environment, and so the main issue of the present article was how the situation of these patterns is in drought conditions between the Sistan and Balochistan Nomadic tribes.
Method: The present study was conducted with a combined methodological approach. Therefore, we have used qualitative techniques such as observation, conversation and documentary studies, as well as quantitative techniques such as survey.
Finding: According to the findings of this study, it is now possible to name at least six major livelihood patterns in this region and among its tribes: 1) Livelihood pattern of ranch; 2) Livelihood pattern of farming; 3) Livelihood pattern based on local industries and by-products sales; 4) livelihood pattern of labor-based; 5) Livelihood pattern based on service activities; 6) livelihood pattern based on receiving government support. The results of the study show that the current livestock and agriculture among the semi-inhabitants of the region is practically a marginal and declining activity. Local industries, mainly produced by nomadic women, are often responsive to their own needs, but they are forced to sell a part of it to help the family, which of course has no significant income; the production of other by-products, such as the mat, which is directly dependent on environmental facilities, is also scarce. Subsequent droughts have brought nomads into activities that are not commensurate with their cultural identity and personality, and they do so in spite of their inner desire and satisfaction; these include laboring and other services such as grocery shopping, and so on. In addition, the nomads now find it very difficult to survive without government support, and they see every help from the support agencies as the savior of their lives.
Results & Conclusion: In general, it seems that the nomadic communities of Sistan and Balochistan have become more and more distant from the old living patterns -which was also the basis for their differentiation and identification- and have been forced to accept patterns that are incompatible with their social structure and cultural context. Of course, it is clear that the current situation is due to several underlying factors and cannot be reduced to a single natural factor. On the other hand, we know that this society is full of capacity, and paying attention to them can play an important role in the development of the whole country and, of course, in improving their own situation. Therefore, it is necessary to understand the dimensions of the problem, and to take advantage of the active participation of the nomads, as soon as possible, carried out a series of compensatory measures, more than before.

Keywords


  • Abdellahi, A. and et al (2016), “Systematic Concept of Drought among Farmers of Esfahan Province”, Journal of Community Development, No. 15: 271-294.
  • Afrakhteh, H. (2005), “Drought and Livelihood Development of Taftan Semi-nomadic People”, Journal of Geographical Sciences, No.: 107-126.
  • Arzac, E. R. and Wilkinson, M. (1979), “A Quarterly Econometric Model of United States Livestock and Feed Grain Markets and Some of its Policy Implications”, American Journal of Agricultural Economics, No. 61: 297-308.
  • Ashraf, M. and Kumar Routray, J. (2013), “Perception and Understanding of Drought and Coping Strategies of Farming Households in North-west Balochistan”, International Journal of Disaster Risk Reduction, No. 2: 49-60.
  • Bagheri, M.; Zibaei, M. and Esmaili, A. K. (2012), “Long Tterm Evaluation of Livestock Management Strategies in Drought Conditions; Case Study of Nomads in Fars Province”, Journal of Agricultural Economics Research, No. 15: 113-142.
  • Bastian, C. T. and et al (2006), “Cattle Ranchers Diverse in Their Drought Management Strategies”, Western Economics Forum No. 5 2: 1-8.
  • Beykmohammadi, H.; Noori, H. and Bazrafshan, J. (2005), “Effects of Drought on Rural Economy of Sistan and Strategies to Deal with it (1998-2004)”, Journal of Geography and Development, No. 5: 72-53.
  • Bodaghjamali, J.; Javanmard, S. and Shirmohammady, R. (2003), “Monitoring and Zoning of Drought Condition in Khorasan Province Using Standardized Precipitation Index”, Geographical Research, No. 4: 4-21.
  • Carande, V. G., Barlett, E. T. and Gutierrez, P. H. (1995), “Optimization of Rangeland Management Strategies under Rainfall and Price Risks”, Journal of range management, No. 1: 68-72.
  • Chalabi, M. and Abdollahi, M. (1993), “Tribal System; the Nature and Characteristics of Iranian Nomadic Community”, Journal of Social Sciences, No. 3 & 4: 238-247.
  • Combs, S. (2000), Drought Resource Information Packet, Report of Drought, USA: Texas Department of Agriculture.
  • Crom, R. J. (1981), The Cattle Cycle-Looking to the „80‟s. ESS Staff Report No.AGESS 810105, USDA, Economics and Statistical Service.
  • Ebrahimzadeh, I. (2009), “Analysis of the Effects of Recent Droughts and Water Shortages on Hamoun Lake on Sistan's Economic Functions”, Iran Water Resources Research, No. 2: 71-76.
  • Kenny, A. (2008), “Assessment of the Social Impacts of Drought”, Journal of American Water Resources Association, No. 3: 678- 686.  
  • Kordavani, P. (2001), Drought and Ways to Deal with it in Iran, Tehran: University of Tehran.
  • Kottak, C. F. (2007), Anthropology: The Exploration of Human Diversity, Trans to Persian by M. Salasi, Tehran: Elmi va Farhangi.
  • Mirzaei, N. and Zibaei, M. (2013), “Evaluation of  the Government Drought Management Policies in the Support of Nomadic Communities of Fars Province”, Journal of Economics and Agriculture Development, No. 2: 84-94.
  • Mohammadi, A. (2003), “Drought and Increasing Urbanization in Iran”, Journal of Technical Education and Training, No. 13,14: 38-41.
  • Mohammadi Yeganeh, B.; Rezaei, H. and Cheraghi, M. (2012), “Analysis and Explaining the Effects of Drought on the Rural Economy the Period 1996-2006; Case Study: Township Abarkouh”, Journal of Regional Planning, No. 6: 57-68.
  • Mohsen­pour, R. and Zibaei, M. (2008), “Investigating the Cconsequences of Drought from the Perspective of Farmers”, Journal of Water Management, No. 2: 45-60.
  • Moshiri, S. M (2006), The Geography of Nomadism, Tehran: Samt.
  • Nagler, A, and et al (2007), Multiple impacts-multiple Strategies: How Wyoming Cattle Producers are Surviving in Prolonged Drought, University of Wyoming Cooperative Extension Publication.
  • Nikkholgh, A. A. and Noori, A. (2006), The Sociology of Iranian Nomads, Tehran: Chapakhsh.
  • Parsch, L. D., Popp, M. P. and Loewer, O. J. (1997), “Stocking Rate Risk for Pasture-fed Steers under Weather Uncertainty”, Journal of Range Management, No 50: 541-549.
  • Rezaie, H. and Mohamadi Yeganeh, B. (2013), “An Analysis of Drought and Its Impact on Agricultural Economy and Rural Migration; Case Study: Abarkouh County in 1996-2005”, Journal of Research and Rural Planning, No. 4: 153-177.
  • Riyahi, V. and Pashazadeh, A. (2014), “Economic and Social impacts of Drought on Rural areas in Germi; Case study: Rural district of Azadlu”, Journal of Studies of Human Settlements Planning, No. 25: 17-37.
  • Rucker, R.; Burt, O. R. and LaFrance, J. T. (1984), “An Econometric Model of Cattle Inventories”, American Journal of Agricultural Economics, No 66: 131-144.
  • Saleh, D. and Mokhtari, M. (2007), “Economic and Social effects of Drought on Rural Households in Sistan”, Iranian Journal of Agricultural Extension and Education Sciences, No. 1: 99-114.
  • Shirvanian, A. and Soufi, M. (2014), “A Review on Poverty of Nomad Households in Drought Period and Identification of Its Determinants in Fars Province of Iran”, Journal of Village and Development, No. 4: 93-110.
  • Torabi, S. and Karamouz, M. (2002), “Drought Analysis and Forecasting: Application on Zayandehrud Catchment area”, Journal of Industrial Engineering and Production Management, No. 2: 57-37.
  • Walker, M. and Thers, A. (1996), “Drought as a Natural Hazard”, Drought: A Global Assessment, No 5: 3–18.