AN ETHNOGRAPHIC EXPLANATION OF THE CHANGING LIVELIHOOD OF AGRO-PASTORAL COMMUNITIES IN SINDH, PAKISTAN

The question of the agro-pastoral economy is un-scrutinized within the academic discourse of Pakistan. These communities rely on herding and subsistence agriculture, the former playing a significant role in the socio-economic aspects of life. The late twentieth century marked an era of revolutionized technologies that touched the ground of developing countries, the best-known example is the green revolution. Before the green revolution, most parts of southern Sindh relied on rainwater to cultivate food crops with rudimentary technologies. The modes of production were comprised of livestock and pastoralism. The market-based economic intervention was only gaining roots. Presently, in the region specifically, rains per year have become scarcer, underground water resources such as tube wells are also disappearing. The paper questions that how the climate changes in the locale of study have resulted in a change in economic activities and the social lives of agro-pastoral communities. The present study is an attempt to document, and inform about the social change, to reach a wider level of audience and scientific community. This research is based on empirical evidence. The techniques are more similar to those used in anthropology or ethnology. Data collection and fieldwork are conducted in Southern Sindh known as Wahi Pandhi, which is located in the Dadu district of Sindh. The main economic activity of the area is agriculture and pastoralism. The geography and mode of livelihood in the region are found to be unique in terms of economic, socio-political, and cultural aspects. It not only gives us a vantage point to understand the livelihood of the agro-pastorals, but also puts us in a position to form a better policy for these communities. The present study will provide basic policy recommendations to help these communities which are marginalized by their way of subsistence and location in the country. Keywords: Agro-pastoral communities, ethnography, livelihoods, Sindh, Pakistan