Drylands

IIED’s nomadic education programme works to address the problem of how Kenyan pastoralists can acquire the education and skills which will allow them to compete on equal terms with other national population groups, without compromising their nomadic pastoral livelihoods.

Governments’ poor understanding of pastoralism combined with the inability of pastoral groups to influence the decisions that affect their lives and to hold government to account is perpetuating a vicious circle of pastoral poverty and conflict, thereby reinforcing the very preconceptions underpinning inappropriate policy directives for pastoral development in much of Africa.

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

Pastoralists live in a context of environmental uncertainty and have developed a diverse range of strategies, institutions and networks to exploit this unpredictability and risk to their advantage.  Despite their proven value, these strategies are still poorly understood and integrated in policy design.

Livestock mobility allows millions of pastoralists to lead productive lives in areas few other producers can exploit. In dryland environments it enables pastoralists to exploit variability in pastures and water to their advantage. It is critical for livelihoods, trade, and for coping with climate change.