Question

Difficulty: MediumInferential Comprehension and Deduction

Read the passage below carefully:

In the semi-arid expanse of Turkana County, Kenya, pastoralist communities have long contended with recurring droughts that decimate livestock herds. Traditionally, economic security and social prestige were measured exclusively by the size of one's herd, forcing herders into perilous seasonal migrations in search of water and forage. Recently, an agricultural cooperative introduced solar-powered borehole irrigation systems, enabling community members to cultivate drought-resistant fodder crops alongside leafy vegetables. Although several traditional elders initially resisted crop farming, viewing it as a betrayal of ancestral pastoral customs, the initiative's impact became undeniable during the recent prolonged dry spell. Families utilizing the irrigated plots successfully produced sufficient feed to sustain their primary livestock at home, eliminating the need for hazardous migration. Furthermore, by selling surplus fodder to non-participating herders, these households secured steady secondary income. Rather than eroding pastoral identity, this strategic integration of fodder cultivation has strengthened herd resilience and fostered broader local economic stability.

Evaluate the following statement based on the passage above:
Pastoralist migration in Turkana County was primarily driven by seasonal deficits in forage and water rather than an intrinsic cultural preference for nomadic movement.

Answer: Answer

Answer

True. The text logically supports the deduction that migration was an environmental necessity caused by feed and water shortages, as access to localized fodder eliminated the need to migrate.
The correct evaluation is True. The text states that herders migrated specifically to find water and forage, and that providing these resources locally eliminated the need for migration. This logically indicates that environmental deficits, not an inherent desire for mobility, caused the seasonal movement.

Step-by-Step Solution

1
Identify the cause of migration stated in the text.
The passage notes that herders were forced into migration 'in search of water and forage.'
Establishing the original driver of nomadic movement.
2
Analyze the impact of local fodder production on migration patterns.
Households that grew irrigated fodder sustained their cattle locally, 'eliminating the need for hazardous migration.'
Testing whether migration persists when resource shortages are resolved.
3
Deduce the underlying reason for nomadic movement.
Since securing local feed and water stopped the migration, the migration was driven by resource scarcity rather than a cultural desire to move.
Formulating the valid inference required by the statement.

Key Concept

Inferential Comprehension and Deduction
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