Supporting pastoralists to tackle climate change

A pastoralist herding his cattle. Photo: courtesy

Today, pastoralists in Africa are dealing with various challenges that threaten their existence. They include population explosion, decreasing mobility, overgrazing, water scarcity, food shortages/high food prices, livestock theft, and global climate change that leads to prolonged droughts, intense floods and desertification.

Stereotypes, prejudices and myths about pastoralism have impacted negatively on their socio-economic development. They have led to failed (and failing) policies meant to develop herding societies in Africa.