Pastoral development

Pastoralists are livestock keepers who live in parts of Africa with very low and erratic rainfall where rain-fed crops cannot be grown. They rely on their livestock for survival and move with the seasons to find water and grazing land for their animals. They live on the milk and meat products their livestock provide, and sell animals to raise money to buy grain and other items.

There are estimated to be more than 12 million pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in Ethiopia and Kenya alone. Yet they are amongst the most marginalised people in Sub-Saharan Africa. They suffer high rates of poverty and poor access to education and health services. Repeated droughts and diseases have caused many losses of livestock resulting in a growing number of very poor and vulnerable people.

FARM-Africa has worked with pastoral communities living in remote areas of Kenya, Ethiopia and Tanzania for over 20 years. Through our mobile outreach camps, we work with communities to help them to keep their livestock healthy and get a fairer price for them. Pastoralists are developing new ways of earning a living such as irrigated agriculture, trading and other activities. We also support pastoralists to engage with government and other agencies, so that they can influence policymaking and gain better access to public services.

How are communities benefiting?

Pastoralists are developing their livelihoods so that they can survive recurring droughts, use land appropriately and be recognised and supported by local governments.

Pastoralists are accessing good quality animal healthcare.
Communities are resolving conflicts over land, livestock and access to water.
Pastoralists are setting up new income-generating enterprises, including those in new areas such as irrigated agriculture and eco-tourism.
Communities are setting up funds for local development initiatives.
Pastoralists are getting policymakers to take notice of their views.

Pastoral development

How are communities benefiting?

Farming Africa