Policy framework for Pastoralism in Africa
Policy framework for Pastoralism in Africa
Policy framework for Pastoralism in Africa
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issues, they are meant to br<strong>in</strong>g the issues of development closer to the people. These have broughtdesirable outcomes when they are matched with the correspond<strong>in</strong>g power and resources. Capacityissues need to be addressed if the process of political decentralisation is to br<strong>in</strong>g susta<strong>in</strong>able changeand development.c) Improved communication technologiesAlthough many advances <strong>in</strong> communication technologies have yet to reach pastoral areas, thereis little doubt that the expansion of mobile phone networks and mobile phone ownership is highlybeneficial <strong>for</strong> pastoralists. Pastoralists are becom<strong>in</strong>g better <strong>in</strong><strong>for</strong>med about local and <strong>in</strong>ternationalpolitical events, are better able to access market <strong>in</strong><strong>for</strong>mation, and can communicate more rapidlyand easier with relatives and traders, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong>ternationally. The grow<strong>in</strong>g systems aroundremittances and migrations are also assisted by mobile phone communication. Increas<strong>in</strong>gly, theprivate sector is explor<strong>in</strong>g options <strong>for</strong> delivery f<strong>in</strong>ancial services, <strong>in</strong>clud<strong>in</strong>g bank<strong>in</strong>g, via mobilephones, with systems already <strong>in</strong> place <strong>in</strong> some countries. It follows that national policies on thecommunication sector are highly relevant to the development of pastoral areas.d) Food price <strong>in</strong>creases and f<strong>in</strong>ancial crisesBetween March 2007 and March 2008, global food prices <strong>in</strong>creased an average of 43 percent.Dur<strong>in</strong>g that period, wheat, soybean, maize and rice prices <strong>in</strong>creased by 146 percent, 71 percent,41 percent, and 29 percent respectively. Undoubtedly, ris<strong>in</strong>g food prices contributed to a significant<strong>in</strong>crease <strong>in</strong> food <strong>in</strong>security worldwide, particularly among poorer populations.These food price <strong>in</strong>creases impacted on pastoralists because <strong>in</strong> a typical year, they need to buy asubstantial proportion of their food needs <strong>in</strong> the <strong>for</strong>m of cereals. For some poorer pastoralists, upto 85 percent of food needs are acquired through direct purchase mean<strong>in</strong>g that food price <strong>in</strong>creaseshave a direct impact on food security. Although food prices started to fall <strong>in</strong> May 2009 due tovarious <strong>in</strong>terventions, food prices rema<strong>in</strong>ed high <strong>in</strong> most countries. Food emergencies result<strong>in</strong>gfrom the comb<strong>in</strong>ed effects of chronic food <strong>in</strong>security and high food price levels, persisted <strong>in</strong> 31countries.In response to the food price crisis, some <strong>Africa</strong>n countries are resort<strong>in</strong>g to the development ofagribus<strong>in</strong>ess which requires large land areas. Similarly, <strong>for</strong>eign countries are <strong>in</strong>vest<strong>in</strong>g <strong>in</strong> agribus<strong>in</strong>ess<strong>in</strong> <strong>Africa</strong> as a means to secure food supplies domestically. Cases of large scale land acquisitions<strong>in</strong> pastoral zones have been reported <strong>in</strong> relation to this trend, thereby add<strong>in</strong>g another cause of landloss to problems faced by pastoralists.The more recent global f<strong>in</strong>ancial crises probably had less direct impact on pastoralists, but <strong>in</strong>directimpacts would <strong>in</strong>clude reduced private sector <strong>in</strong>vestment, limited expansion of bank<strong>in</strong>g services<strong>in</strong>to pastoral areas, and reductions <strong>in</strong> official humanitarian or development aid.e) UrbanizationUrbanization is associated with both problems and opportunities <strong>for</strong> pastoralists. Urban centrespull people, especially young people, away from pastoral areas thereby, reduc<strong>in</strong>g the number ofpeople available <strong>in</strong> the pastoral <strong>for</strong>ce <strong>in</strong> some cases. Un<strong>for</strong>tunately, the low levels of education andSecur<strong>in</strong>g, Protect<strong>in</strong>g and Improv<strong>in</strong>g the Lives, Livelihoods and Rights of Pastoralist Communities27