LiveLihoods in strongscarcitystrong – combined rainfed farming systems in.pdfVIP

2013 Vol. 67 No. 3 223–239 · · LiveLihoods in scarcity – combined rainfed farming systems in ishkamesh, a fghanistan Stefan Schütte With 4 figures, 1 table and 2 photos Received 18. December 2012 · Accepted 24. May 2013 summary: This paper deals with the multiple insecurities affecting combined rainfed farming systems in the Ishkamesh district of Takhar Province in Northern Afghanistan. It looks at how local natural resource management practices work out under conditions of recurrent and severe drought and how pasture access regimes and rainfed farming practices structure intergroup relations in an area that was affected by heavy fighting during Soviet occupation and civil war in Afghanistan. Based on findings from three periods of fieldwork in the area, Ishkamesh can be used to provide a better understanding of practices of rainfed agriculture and the construction of rural livelihoods at the Afghan periphery, which is influenced by high risk environmental conditions. Affected by scarcity of land, deficiency of water, restricted income opportunities and restricted access to education and health facilities, the threats to human security of local populations are identified and security strategies examined. Zusammenfassung: Afghanische Bauern sind in vielfältige landwirtschaftliche Produktionssysteme eingebunden, doch nur sehr wenige Haushalte können durch ihre landwirtschaftliche Tätigkeit wirtschaftliche Unabhängigkeit und Selbstver- sorgung erzielen. Dies gilt insbesondere für die peripheren Regenfeldbaugebiete in den Gebirgsregion