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This paper discusses options for improvement of the Borana pastoralist system. Overall, the prospects for increasing offtake of livestock or milk, by improvements in marketing facilities alone are not promising. National policies to avoid serious adverse shifts in the exchange rate of cattle for cereals would reduce suffering in drought years, however. Assessments of primary dry matter production suggest that more livestock could be carried in the north and west of the study area if dry-season water supplies could be improved. Against this, evidence of rangeland degradation in these zones suggests dangers in increased stocking. The Borana practice of 3-day watering of cattle during the dry season is beneficial in reducing water and primary dry-matter requirements during these periods of shortage. Desilting of existing surface ponds and construction of new ones could be beneficial if sited in areas of underutilised rangeland. Borana cattle are generally more productive than other forms of livestock, with quite high rates of reproduction and milk yield and low mortalities. The practices of relying on milk for subsistence and disposing of young males, to maintain a high proportion of cows in the herd, appear rational. The only apparent aspect of productive performance with scope for improvement, is in cattle growth rates. The production of small areas of leguminous fodder is recommended for the supplementary feeding of calves.