Abstract
The Balochistan province of Pakistan has been drought prone for more than two decades. A series of mild to severe drought spells since 1997 have impacted the livelihood of farming families in lower highland regions in the north-west of the province. This study aimed to assess the overall situation of drought in the lower highlands of Balochistan and its socioeconomic impacts on the livelihood of small holder farmers. The study is descriptive in nature. A total of 332 small scale farmers were interviewed in Nushki and Pishin districts of the province through structured questionnaire. The results reveal that a high proportion of small holder farming families in the selected districts is highly vulnerable to drought spells due to increased dependency on water related economic activities such as agriculture and livestock. The adaptive capacity of farming families is poor thus increasing the severity of risk factors. Consecutive spells of drought highly affected the employment rate, income patterns, savings, food, education and housing resulting in high dependency on loans to meet basic needs of life. The study comes up with policy and practice oriented suggestions for potential stakeholders.
Mohammad Yousuf. (2020) Persistent drought spells since 1997 and its socio-economic impacts on small holder farmers in lower highlands of Balochistan, Pakistan, Balochistan Review, Volume 1, Issue 1.
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