Study of the Main Constraints of Pastoral Communities Development in Elbaja area White ­­ Nile State

Abstract

This study was conducted at El baja area, which is located west Eldueim locality in White Nile State. It aimed to investigate main constraints of pastorals communities’ development in White Nile State. The methods of data collection depend on the socio-economic survey for pastoral communities. The questionnaire was designed to collect information, in addition to check-list for local authorities and officials in the area. Three villages were selected to represent Elbaja area, these are Donki Elhart, El Homara, Allaota , and a total of 60 respondents (10% of the total number of herders in each village) were randomly selected and interviewed. The study found that pastoral groups in Elbaja area suffer from a scarcity in sources of water, where they mainly depend on Donki Elhart, as a source of drinking water for humans and animals, in addition to other sources such as hafir and wells. Also the study showed existence of a high percentage of illiteracy among pastoralists due to the insufficient number of schools in the area in addition to the fact that parents don’t send their children to schools and prefer to assist them in grazing process. Moreover, results indicated that there was a clear absence for role of range administration in providing the necessary services such as extension and veterinary services, seed broadcasting, open fire lines, in-order to conserve and protect the natural rangeland. Thus the present. Study also expressed that there were conflicts between pastoralists in utilizing natural rangeland as a result of narrow and block routes, due to expansion of agricultural activates in the area. Furthermore, results showed that a great concern should be given to water source especially Donki Elhart, because it represents the main source of water for human and animals as well as to develop other water sources like wells and Hafirs .Finally, the study recommended that priority attention should be given for education of pastoral children through increased number of schools and adoption of mobile education system in case of nomadic herders. Also the government is responsible about the establishment of the main infrastructures such as veterinary and extension services agencies, in-addition it has to determinate rangelands boundaries and landownership to reduce the conflicts between the pastoral and other use