In some of the most marginal areas of the world where arable farming is not practical, people cope and are able to survive through the raising of animals. Usually, these systems are highly mobile, meaning the livestock keeper must follow or drive their animals to different pastures and rangelands. Often, such systems are neglected or looked at as backwards, traditional or somehow out-of-style. But this year's Tropentag held a full session devoted exclusively to oral presentations on research in extensive livestock production. Here are a couple results from the session... (read more)

“The value of a pastoral farmer is determined by the number of cattle in his herd. This way of life is viewed in the modern day world as backward or in some cases primitive. We look at these communities and suggest changes to their day to day lives and point out the need to invest in alternative livelihood strategies that can match up with the changing times.” No other marginal community has experienced the shocks, stresses and crises similar in magnitude than the pastoral communities. After the failed rains in 2011 in the Horn of Africa, recurring images in the daily news items got people thinking, can pastoralism be a sustainable livelihood option? The response at the time by the international, national governments and in the case of Kenya, ordinary citizens through the Kenyans4Kenya campaign initiative was an impetuous of food aid, quick fixes to the problem.

Encouraging land degradation in pastoralist systems Birgit Müller found that governmental subsidies promote the increase of stocking rate and grazing pressure of natural grassland of the High Plateau of Morocco. This policy creates land degradation and social conflicts. By using a ecological-economic model she assessed an alternative for range management: supplementation should use strategically on periods of scarce forage, but not as a way to increase animal stock. Then, after a year of drought, resting time for the recovering of the grassland should be applied. This strategic use of supplementation could avoid destocking (keep herbs size), and economical constrains for farmers and also keep the productivity and good condition of natural grasslands. Cropping for caring land and avoiding social conflicts Another strategy for the Jordan’s arid Badia region was presented by Steven Woods.