Pastoralism and climate change

Background

Policies dispossessing pastoralists of their land – especially their best lands on which risk and resilience depends – and converting it to conservation or irrigated often commercial agriculture are perpetuating a vicious cycle of increasing poverty, resource conflict and environmental degradation that reinforces the very preconceptions and misunderstandings surrounding pastoralism as a livelihood system.

Changing policy makers’ perceptions of pastoralism is a complex and long-term process. An important starting point is to improve their understanding of its dynamics and economic rationale, particularly the direct economic contribution it makes to national economies.

Location

Ethiopia, Kenya, Tanzania

Aims

The purpose of the project is to design a methodological framework to assess the 'total economic value' of pastoralism in Africa under conditions of accelerating climate change that has a high potential of making a significant policy impact. In the first two years of the project activities will focus on the design of methodologies to assess both the value-added of red meat raised in pastoral areas to the local and national economy of Tanzania and  the relative cost-benefits of a fully capitalised and supported pastoral system versus an alternative land use (e.g. irrigated agriculture) and/or privatisation of key resources (e.g. water) in Ethiopia.
 

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Partners

In Tanzania we are working in partnership with the Tanzania Natural Resource Forum, the University of Sokoine, Community Research and Development Services, SNV, VETAID, Pastoral Indigenous Non Governmental Organisations and Cordaid.

In Ethiopia partnerships have yet to be confirmed but will include pastoral organisations.

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Contact

Ced Hesse ced.hesse@iied.org
 

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Funded by

Irish Aid

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