Transforming pastoral livelihoods in eastern Africa

Lands of the future: transforming pastoral lands and livelihoods in eastern Africa

by Jon Abbink, Kelly Askew, Dereje Feyissa Dori, Elliot Fratkin, Echi Christina Gabbert, John Galaty, Shauna LaTosky, Jean Lydall, Hussein A. Mahmoud, John Markakis, Günther Schlee, Ivo Strecker & David Turton

Working Paper 154 (2014, 28pp), Integration & Conflict Dept, Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology, Halle, Germany

Pastoral and agropastoral areas in eastern Africa have long been regarded as peripheries in economic, social and cultural terms. Although biased perceptions of ‘unproductive’ pastoralism have become outdated, government policies still do little to formally recognise or integrate pastoral lands within rural livelihood systems and economic development models. Instead, many states give preference to large-scale agricultural investments in pastoral areas, leading to the loss or fragmentation of rangelands, induced sedentarisation of pastoralists and reduction in livestock numbers.

The Lands of the Future Research Network supports the view that alienation of pastoralists from productive lands is often unwarranted, unproductive, and unadvisable. It would be better for the overall economy and society to leave things as they are or, if ‘development’ comes in, to discuss the development potential of pastoralism. In other cases of integrated economies, combining old and new forms (‘mixed agriculture’ on a societal scale) might offer advantages to all rural actors as well as the national economy.

Drawing on research from Ethiopia, Kenya, Sudan and Tanzania, this paper looks at the significance of pastoralism as a productive economy and the positive bearing it has on the environment, wildlife conservation and pastoralist communities’ health and wellbeing. It also reflects on what is at stake when one form of land use is replaced by another and when customary rules and practices regarding land access, land use and traditional law are not fully recognised by policymakers. Using historical examples (e.g. from Afar) and current development trends (e.g. Ethiopia’s river basin development in the Omo Valley), the paper shows how the impacts of such development need not be negative (e.g. forced displacement, resettlement, conflict). The authors urge development planners and governments to integrate the expertise of (agro)pastoralists into development models and to establish strong relationships between investors, NGOs, GOs, policymakers, researchers, local communities and other stakeholders in order to find equitable and long-term solutions for changing land uses.

In 2021, the authors published their research findings in a book “Lands of the future” (332pp, Berghahn Books & Max Planck Institute for Social Anthropology). A book review by Katherine Homewood can be found here.

Posted on 5 January 2015 in Pastoralism & Natural Resources, Pastoralism, Policy & Power, Pastoralist Livelihoods & Nutrition