This document summarizes a land suitability evaluation for livestock production in the Somali region of Ethiopia. Five parameters were analyzed: vegetation cover, slope, rainfall, temperature, and water availability. Based on matching the land characteristics to the requirements of different livestock, the study found that most areas were suitable for camels and goats. However, about 70% and 60% of rangelands were marginally to not suitable for cattle and sheep production. The major limitations were shortage and variability of rainfall, high temperatures, and open shrubland vegetation. The study recommends separate grazing areas for each livestock type to improve productivity.

1. Land suitability evaluation for livestock production in Somali
region, Ethiopia
by
Mahamed Omer ( M.Sc)
Abdi Abdullahi ( M.Sc)
Soil and Water Research Directorate
Integrated Watershed Management program
August, 2023

2. 1. Background information and justification
Livestock production is essential for household food security as the pastoralists uses their products
directly and to exchange them with other household commodities (Hesse and MacGregor, 2006).
Land varies in its characteristics everywhere. This variation actually affects its use, as for each type
of land there are uses that are more or less physically and economically appropriate as regards
productivity and return on invested capital.
Inappropriate land use leads to inefficient exploitation of natural resource, destruction of the land
resource, poverty and other social problems.
The suitability of a given land is based on its natural ability or the biological productivity for and it’s
applied a specific purpose. Analyzing suitability is mainly based on the land qualities satisfying the
requirements of the land-use (FAO, 2007).
Thus, the common way determining land quality from land characteristics is mainly by assessing
and grouping the land types in to different classes according to their values (Atesmachew et al.,
2005).

3.  Part of the solution to the land-use problem is land evaluation in support of
rational land use planning and appropriate and sustainable use of natural
resources.
 Therefore, the most important criterion for sustainable livestock production is
the selection of appropriate land areas, which enhances resilience of the
environment meet biophysical, environmental and socio-economic restrictions.

4. 1.2 Objectives
To evaluate and map suitable land areas for livestock production under
extensive pastoral system in Somali region by using GIS and remote
sensing techniques.
To identify the ecological limitations for sustainable livestock production
and suggest possible interventions for addressing the problems.

5. 2. Methodology

6. In the present study, four environmental and one infrastructural parameters
were considered viz: land-use/land cover, topography, rainfall, temperature
regime, and available water sources. Such data was collected as shown in table
1.
Data type Data source
vegetation cover Landsat image (USGS) https://earthexplorer.usgs.gov/
Topography (Slope) SRTM DEM (USGS) https://earthexplorer.usgs.gov/
Ground control points Field survey by using Garmin GPS
Climate (precipitation and
temperature)
30 years of data record from EMSA
Available water sources SRS, Bureau of Planning
Livestock requirements FAO (1996, 2007) guideline
Table 1. Data sources and methods of collection
2.2 Data sources and methods of collection

7. 2.3 Land use requirements
Land use requirements Factor rating
Land quality Land
Characteristics
Unit Highly
suitable
Moderately
suitable
Marginally
suitable
Not suitable
Moisture
availability
Amount of
rainfall
Mm 700 – 900 450-700 300 - 450 < 300
Temperature
regime
Thermal zone
0C
19.1 – 25 25.1 – 27.5 &
13-19
27.6-30 >30 & <13
Topography Slope/ land
form
% 0-10 10-20 20.1 – 35 > 35
Land use and
Vegetation
cover
Open
Grassland,
Wooded
Grassland
Bushland,
Cropland
Open
shrubland
Bare soil and
exposed rock
surface
Water
availability
Distance Km < 4 4 – 6 6 – 10 > 10
Table 2. Land use requirements of local cattle production under extensive pastoral system ( low input level)
( FAO, 1996 & 2007)

8. Land use requirements Factor rating
Land quality Land
Characteristi
cs
Unit Highly
suitable
Moderately
suitable
Marginally
suitable
Not suitable
Moisture
availability
Amount of
rainfall
Mm 700 – 900 450-700 300 - 450 < 300
Temperature
regime
Thermal zone
0C
19.1 – 25 25.1 – 27.5 &
13-19
27.6-30 >30 & <13
Topography Slope/ land
form
% < 16 16 – 30 30 – 40 > 40
Land use and
Vegetation
cover
Open
Grassland
Wooded
Grassland
Bushland,
Cropland
Open
shrubland
Bare soil and
exposed rock
surface
Water
availability
Distance Km < 4 4 – 6 6 – 10 > 10
Table 3. Land use requirements of local sheep production under extensive pastoral system ( low
input level)
( FAO, 1996 & 2007)

9. Land use requirements Factor rating
Land quality Land
Characteristics
Unit Highly
suitable
Moderately
suitable
Marginally
suitable
Not suitable
Moisture
availability
Amount of
rainfall
Mm 500 – 700 400-500 250 - 400 & >
700
< 250
Temperature
regime
Thermal zone
0C
19.1 – 25 25.1 – 27.5 &
13-19
27.6-30 >30 & <13
Topography Slope/ land form % < 16 16-35 35-45 >45
Land use and
Vegetation
cover
Shrubland,
Wooded
Grassland
Bushland,
open
Grassland
Cropland Bare soil and
exposed rock
surface
Water
availability
Distance Km < 4 4 – 6 6 – 10 > 10
Table 4. land use requirements of local goat production under extensive pastoral system ( low input
level)
( FAO, 1996 & 2007)

10. Table 5. land use requirements of camel production under extensive pastoral system ( low level of
management)
Land use requirements Factor rating
Land quality Land
Characteristics
Unit Highly
suitable
Moderately
suitable
Marginally
suitable
Not suitable
Moisture
availability
Amount of
rainfall
Mm 450 – 700 350- 450 200 - 350 & >
900
< 200
Temperature
regime
Thermal zone
0C
20.1 - 27.5 27.6 - 35 >35
17- 20
< 17
Topography Slope/ land form % < 8 8 – 16 16 – 30 > 30
Land use and
Vegetation
cover
Shrubland,
Wooded
Grassland
Bushland,
open
Grassland
Cropland Bare soil and
exposed rock
surface
Water
availability
Distance Km < 10 10 – 15 15 – 25 > 25

11. Figure 1. Methodological flowchart for suitability analysis in ArcGIS
environment

12. 3. Results and Discussions
3.1 Partial suitability analysis
This study applied five selected parameters viz:
I. Rangeland vegetation cover
II. land form/Slope
III. Annual rainfall amount
IV. Temperature regime
V. Water source availability
• Thus the suitability of these parameters for livestock production was
specifically analysed in order to show the limiting factors for sustained
livestock production.

13. 3.1.1 Rangeland vegetation cover suitability analysis
A. Present vegetation cover suitability for cattle and sheep B. Proposed vegetation cover suitability for cattle
and sheep

14. A. Present Vegetation cover suitability for camel and goat B. Proposed vegetation cover suitability for camel and goat
3.1.1 Rangeland vegetation cover suitability analysis

15. 3.1.2. Slope suitability analysis
 Majority of the
study area was
shown to be
gently sloped
flatland of < 16%
and small hilly
terrain, which is
highly suitable for
livestock
production
a
d
c
b
slope suitability for goat (a), sheep (b), cattle (c ), and camel (d).

16. 3.1.3 Temperature regime suitability analysis
According to FAO
(2007), all tropical
livestock except
the camel have
almost similar
range of
temperature
requirements.
a b
Temperature suitability for camel (a) and cattle, sheep, and goat (b ).

17. 3.1.4 Annual Rainfall suitability
a b
Annual rainfall suitability for cattle (a) sheep (b ).
 The results showed that majority of arid and semi-arid lowland areas were not suitable for
cattle and sheep production.

18. 3.1.4 Annual Rainfall suitability
Annual rainfall suitability for goat (a) and camel (b ).
 The results showed that majority of the study area was found to be moderately to highly suitable
for goat and camel production.
 Besides hot-arid lowlands areas that receive low amount of rainfall < 200 mm/year in the south to
easter part of the region were slightly suitable for goat and camel production.
a b

19. 3.1.5 Available water sources suitability analysis
According to data received from
BPED, the available water
sources in the region are
moderately to highly suitable
for camel production, so that
this species can access water
from a distance below 15 km
Available water sources suitability for camel production

20. 3.1.5 Available water sources suitability analysis
Available water sources suitability for cattle, sheep, and goat productions

21. 3.2 Overall suitability analysis
The partial suitability classes for each of the selected
livestock species was overlaid together to generate the
final overall suitability class.

22. livestock species Overall Suitability
Cattle S1 S2 S3 N Total
Area in ha 99720 960601.6 1660019 1028291 3748632
% 2.7 25.6 44.3 27.4 100
Camel
Area in ha 575016 1927698 776976.8 468702.4 3748632
% 15.3 51.4 22.7 10.5 100
Goat
Area in ha 390259.2 1839976 1149251 369724.8 3748632
% 10.4 49.1 30.7 9.9 100
Sheep
Area in ha 216054.4 1488899 1348614 694473.6 3748632
% 5.8 39.7 35.9 18.5 100
Table 6. Land Suitability Evaluation Result for Livestock and their Share of area distribution (ha & %)
S1 = highly suitable, S2 = moderately suitable, S3 = slightly suitable, and N = Not suitable

23. Overall suitability for camel production
 The result also showed that, 15.3%,
51.4%, 22.7%, and 10.5% of the study
area were highly, moderately, slightly, and
Not suitable for camel production.
 Hence only 10.5% of the study was not
suitable for camel production.
 The major limiting factor is less
vegetation cover at cropland plains in
Fafan Zone, and bare soil and exposed rock
surface in Sitti Zone.
 The other limiting factors are very low
rainfall < 200 mm/year and high
temperature > 36 0 c in south eastern part
of the region .

24. Overall suitability for goat production The result also revealed that largest
portion of the study area was was found
to be highly, moderately, and slightly
suitable for local goat production by
49.1%, 10.4%, and 30.7%, Where,
small portion of it was constituted as
not suitable by 9.9%.
 The major limiting factor is less
vegetation cover at cropland plains in
Fafan Zone, and bare soil and exposed
rock surface in Sitti Zone.
 The other limiting factors are very
low rainfall < 200 mm/year and high
temperature > 30 0 c in south eastern
and northern part of the region .

25. Overall suitability for sheep production
The result declared that 5.8%,
39.7%, 35.9%, and 18.5% of the
study area were highly, moderately,
slightly, and not suitable for local
sheep production.
The major limitations for the
sustained production of this species
was shortage of pasture due to
shortage of rainfall, bush
encroachment, and exposed nature
of the soil surface.
In addition, high temperature > 30
0c in south eastern and northern
part of the region

26. Overall suitability for cattle production
The study showed that 2.7%,
25.6%, and 44.3% of the study area
were highly, moderately, slightly
suitable for cattle production,
where 27.4% of it became Not
suitable.
 the limitations of low annual
amount, undulating landform, and
high temperature regime, which is
not favourable for the optimum
production of the species.

27. 4. Conclusion and recommendations
 The study identified the biophysical land characteristic of the study area and matched
the land use requirements of four livestock species .
 Majority of the study area was suitable for browser stocks like camel and goat
compared to the cattle and sheep.
 About 70% and 60% of the rangelands were marginally to not suitable for cattle and
sheep productions under free grazing condition respectively.
 The major limitations against sustained livestock production were shortage and
erratic nature of rainfall, high temperature, and open shrubland dominated
rangelands of the study area
 Based on the identified qualities and limitations of land resources, majority of Somali
region, particularly hot arid, semi-arid, and sub-moist lowland areas have huge
potential rangeland for sustained camel and goat production under extensive pastoral
system.

28.  Hence, it is recommended that there should be separate rangelands for
each livestock type to improve productivity.
 In generally, this study can provide insights for policy and decision
makers to formulate environmental and rangeland policies to identify
land characteristics and separate the rangeland for each livestock
category.