Policy framework for Pastoralism in Africa

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i) Climate changePastoralist production systems evolved over generations as a response to marked rainfall variability,and used the main strategy of mobility to access limited water and grazing resources in large ecosystems.Additional strategies included the rearing of different livestock species, to utilize different typesof vegetation and because each species has different watering requirements. Decades before climatechange was recognized as a global phenomenon, pastoralists selectively bred their livestock to emphasizetraits such as drought resistance and milk production. They also altered the species compositionof their herds in the face of rainfall and other trends, such as market opportunities. Pastoralismadapted to drier periods and wetter periods, to changes in disease risks, and to conflict.In Africa, assessments of climate change are themselves highly variable, with different assessmentspredicting very different climate scenarios and related outcomes. For pastoralist areas, weathersystems in West Africa and the Sahel depend on different systems to those in East Africa, meaningthat is difficult to generalize about climate change and pastoralism in Africa. Furthermore, whilesome analysts claim that drought is worsening in pastoralist areas, it is also important to distinguishbetween drought as defined by rainfall, and drought as defined by its impact on human livelihoods.Where consensus exists, it is more on the increasing impact of drought on pastoralists which inturn, can be explained by increasing human population, decreasing livestock holding among poorerherders, and declining access to productive rangeland.At policy level, it is important to recognize the considerable adaptability of pastoralism if pastoralistsare enabled to practice mobile livestock production, which in turns, means security of accessto sufficient rangelands. In the event of either drier or wetter, conditions, pastoralists will adjustherd composition and migrations. More speculatively, policy should support research and understandingamong stakeholders on role of pastoral rangelands in carbon sequestration, and the possibilitiesfor carbon trading if pastoral areas are conserved and managed with this outcome in mind.Securing, Protecting and Improving the Lives, Livelihoods and Rights of Pastoralist Communities29
4. Framework principles,objectives and strategiesUsing the description of pastoralism presented in Section 2, and the analysis of policy issues inSection 3, this section presents the policy framework along with a set of strategies for achievingthe policy framework objectives. The framework is structured around three main entities: a set ofguiding and cross-cutting principles; two main objectives; and strategies against each of theobjectives.4.1 Framework principles4.1.1 Recognize the rights of pastoralistsThe framework explicitly recognizes the rights of pastoralists, and the need to provide security,services, infrastructure and economic opportunities in pastoral areas which are comparable tonon-pastoral areas. This principle is articulated as a response to the high levels of conflict in pastoralareas, and the low levels of basic services, of which health and education are particular concerns.It further recognizes that under the broad challenges of health and education, are a set ofspecific barriers of service access for women and girls. The principle relates directly to internationalhuman rights conventions and laws, including the right of people to protection from violence, theright to pursue a livelihood of their choice, and the right to education and health.4.1.2 Political and policy processesThe framework highlights the processes required to ensure improvements in the political, socialand economic capital of pastoralists. This principle covers issues of representation and voice, andprocesses for improving dialogue and understanding between pastoralists and policy makers. Itfurther recognizes issues of governance, the role of traditional institutions and the active inclusionof pastoral women and men in processes of policy and legislative reform. Improved understandingof the economics of pastoralism among policy makers is central to policy process.4.1.3 Pastoralism as a way of life and a production systemThe framework supports pastoralism as a way of life and as a production system. It supports multisectoral,coordinated approaches which combine to protect and develop human, social, financial,natural and physical capital. Implicit in this principle is the concept of supporting livestock-baseddevelopment while simultaneously, improving basic services and relevant infrastructure.4.1.4 The importance of strategic mobilityThe framework is explicit in its support to pastoral strategic mobility. It recognizes that mobilityis the basis for efficient use and protection of rangelands, and, that mobility is key to appropriateadaptation to climatic and other trends. The principle is reflected in the practical strategies of theframework, such as securing access to rangelands for pastoralists through supportive land tenure30 Policy framework for Pastoralism in Africa
Page 2 and 3: DEPARTMENT OF RURAL ECONOMY AND AGR
Page 4 and 5: 2.4 Social and cultural contexts 18
Page 6 and 7: AbbreviationsAUAUCAU/DREAAU/IBARCAA
Page 8 and 9: traditional pastoral institutions i
Page 10 and 11: people. The key principles of this
Page 12 and 13: devising effective governance frame
Page 14 and 15: 2.2.1 Mediterranean and Saharan zon
Page 16 and 17: equatorial humid forest. Pastoral a
Page 18 and 19: pastoral areas include the use of l
Page 20 and 21: to pasture and water resources are
Page 22 and 23: In Burundi where population pressur
Page 24 and 25: all passed legislation specifically
Page 26 and 27: with resident farmers. These proble
Page 28 and 29: issues, they are meant to bring the
Page 32 and 33: policies and legislation, and furth
Page 34 and 35: The process for reaching a common u
Page 36 and 37: iv. The need to acknowledge the leg
Page 38 and 39: within and between states, supporte
Page 40 and 41: many African countries have already
Page 42 and 43: Strategy 2.6 Protect African geneti
Page 44 and 45: --enactment of new and revision or
Page 46 and 47: iii. Policy information delivery an
Page 48: 6. ConclusionSustainable pastoral r

Policy framework for Pastoralism in Africa

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