Karamoja Livelihood Zone Descriptions

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Recent field visits by FAO, FEWS NET, and other partners suggested the possibility of a change of livelihood patterns and socio-economic conditions in the Karamoja region compared with the 2010 livelihood baselines. FEWS NET conducted a desk review to establish if livelihood patterns had changed and whether further work was required to update them. Though the initial review showed no clear evidence of any fundamental change in the patterns of livelihoods since 2010, the available information suggested a general drift of economy towards increased reliance on crops in traditional pastoral areas and an increase in livestock holdings in the agricultural zone, larger scale mechanised land-opening in some areas, increasing trade due to improved access to markets and emerging employment opportunities. The desk review recommended a regional workshop involving participants from all seven districts of Karamoja to verify the accuracy of all six livelihood zone boundaries in the region. This Livelihood Description product is the result of that workshop.

Livelihood Zone Description accompanies a zone map, briefly describing the main characteristics of the livelihood patterns in that zone. The maps and descriptions, which identify relevant variables by geography, are useful in informing the development of monitoring systems.