Pastoralism less impacted by climate change than industrial farming

Entitled 'Valuing variability – new perspectives on climate resilient drylands development', the publication provides fresh perspectives on the value of dryland production systems from across Asia and Africa. These will be discussed at the launch event hosted by the Coalition of European Lobbies for Eastern African Pastoralism (CELEP).  

The book, published by the International Institute for Environment and Development (IIED) and launched in the Kenyan parliament earlier this year, argues that improved agricultural productivity in drylands environments is possible by working with climatic uncertainty rather than seeking to control it – a view that runs contrary to decades of development practices. 

Quick facts

This approach means that pastoralism is a significant boost to the economy in East Africa: 

• In Uganda the livestock sector contributes 7.5 per cent to total GDP and 17 per cent to agricultural GDP. Pastoralists own up to 90 per cent of the national herd, providing meat, hides, skin and milk for domestic and international markets
• In Ethiopia, pastoralists and agro pastoralists produce 14 per cent of cattle meat, 12 per cent of goat meat and 7 per cent of sheep meat (lamb), and leather exports provide 12 per cent of national export earnings
• In Tanzania, approximately 1.18 billion litres of milk is produced, of which 70 per cent comes from the agro-pastoral and pastoral systems, and
• In Kenya, the total annual marketed value of pastoralist’s livestock can range from €50 million to €80 million.

The team behind the book hope that by sharing examples of how different communities undertake agricultural production that embrace climatic variability, drylands economies may yet reach their true potential. 

European members of parliament Norbert Neuser (S&D) and Maria Heubuch (Greens/EFA) also have met with the book's author, Saverio Krätli, prior to a fact-finding trip to Uganda in support of CELEP's aims, in October.

Quotes

Koen Van Troos, CELEP Education and Policy Coordinator said: "Pastoral production complements, and cannot be substituted by, intensive livestock production. Many people who undertake drylands farming know how to live and work with climate change, recognising variability as part of the landscape they work in.

"Following this EU event exploring the strengths of the drylands at a time when climate change is bringing more uncertainty to the world’s farming systems, it is hoped that we will be able to progress the EC's technical note on pastoralism with DEVCO at CELEP's annual meeting in November. We certainly believe this would be a timely show of support for practical policy solutions, just before we enter the Paris climate change negotiations."

Speakers

Speaker at the launch event will include:

• Bernard Rey, deputy head of unit DEVCO C1, Rural Development, Food Security, Nutrition Presentation 
• Koen Van Troos, education and policy coordinator CELEP
• Saverio Krätli, lead author of the book and editor of Nomadic Peoples