r - part - usaid

communities have between 300 and 600 households and between 2000
and 4080 peaple,
3-1.4. Agriculture and Livestock
The dominant system of prcduction in the Bay Region is
agro-pastoralism and nearly all. of the regicnqs papu-atfon
derives its livelihood from a mixture of agricuLturaz and
pastoral activities. While there are nomadic groups who derive
their livelihood from the sale of aninals and animal products,
few agriculturalist derive their livelihood exclusively from
crop production or related activities. Most families own some
livestock, although one study (Wyoraing 1984) reported that 20
percent of the households sampled had none. Livestock
statistics are difficult to collect, however, because af the
fluid nature a5 the system and because people are reluctant to
reveal accurate numbers an their livest~ck holdings. The number
of livestock in the Bay Region based on estimates made from
aerial sunteys (Watson and Nimno 1982) are: 320,000 camels,
370,000 cattle and, 390,000 goats and sheep.
The region is also characterized by movements of nomads
through it, some of whom are related to the permanent resident
and others who arc considered "guest nomadsfq.
Table 2.3.2 presents an economic classification of
households Ear Bay Region residents according to the primary
productive activity (Univ. of Wyoming, 1984). The figures
should be viewed with caution, however, since it "masks the fact
that househalds of two or three types are aften grouped together
in larger extended management units (Boston University, 1983,
V.5) 1
--- L11-------------------------3-.--1...--*C-"--"---O---W-w--------
-C-l--l--------------CIII------*--------o---------------------~--I-
Table 2.3.2. Economic Classification of Households*
Primary Economic Activity Percentage
*LII-----L----L------------------------------------------------
on-agricultural (wage earners 2nd urban residents) 20%
Settled farmers and part-time pastoralists 45%
Pure nomads (most of whom are residents af the regior, 35%
-------------------_Il----l-----ll--------------------------------------
*The figures ificlude the urban population of the Bay Region,
-ll---I-lt-13--I-I-----------"-------------------------*-------
The major crops grown in the region include. several
varieties af sorghum, cowpeas, maize and mung beans. Rainfed
agriculture is practiced throughout the region although
irrigated fields are found in a few villages. Irrigated fields
are used primarily to produce grains but are are also used to
cultivate sesame, watermelons, tomatoes, lemons, bananas,
pumpkins, popaya and sugar cane (Wyoming 1984: Vo1.2:27-34).