Sahel Nomads. Image credit btcycle.com

ZIMSEC O Level Geography Notes:Agriculture:Farming types in Africa: Subsistence farming: Nomadism: A Case Study: Sedentarisation of nomads in the Sahel

Sedenterisation of Nomads in the Sahel

  • In this scheme, an area to settle the nomads is selected by UN officials.
  • A deep well is sunk at the centre, to provide water throughout the year.
  • Twenty or more homesteads are pegged at radius of 1 km from the well and homes are built here.
  • Fields are separated away from the well for each homestead.
  • In summer, when rains are naturally falling, the settlers graze their livestock away from the well since pastures will be available.
  • During this time, it is prohibited to graze within 1 km radius around the well.
  • When it is winter time, the animals can now be grazed toward the central well.
  • Pastures can be irrigated and crop stalks used as supplementary feed.
  • Each farmer will only be allowed a maximum of 15 heads of livestock.
  • In this way, it is felt the nomadism will stop, the animal numbers controlled, animals vaccinated and the living standards raised.
  • Permanent homes are built and the farmers indulge in both crop production and animal husbandry, a sustainable type of mixed farming.

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