AGRICULTURE, CLIMATE CHANGE AND FOOD SECURITY Global Conference

The Case of Pastoralism in the Horn of Africa

SAFIA ABDI, TEZERA GETAHUN and PHILIP GALM GODANA

Nov 3, 2010 Den Haag

Outline • Our premise• Understanding pastoralism• Benefits of Pastoralism• Impact of CC on Pastoralism• Challenges • Pastoralism and CC mitigation.• Way forward• Conclusion

Our premise • Pastoralism is a way

of life and the most viable and resilient production system in the arid and semi arid lands of the Horn of Africa. It provides food and livelihood for a large population.

Understanding Pastoralism • Production system and way of life.• Three pillars-people, natural

resources and livestock• Mobility/communal land

ownership• Herd management to manage risk• Market access important-meet

other basic needs• Social support system-risk

insurance• Management of Grazing areas-

provides ecosystem services

Pastoralists contribution to economy-Kenya

• Kenya is 80% Arid and semi-Arid Lands (ASAL)• 25% (About10M) of Kenya’s population inhabits the ASAL. • Most ASAL inhabited by pastoralists and few agro-pastoralist and small

holder farmers.• Pastoralist are minorities and indigenous .• 80% of eco-tourist sites are in the ASAL-which contributes to about 12% of

GDP.• ASAL host 60% of countries livestock population.• Agriculture contributes 16% to GDP• Livestock contribute 50% to agri. GDP• 75% of national herd are indigenous livestock.

Climate change Impacts on pastoral system Changes in precipitation• Increase in frequency, duration

and intensity of drought• Variability in space, time and

amounts

Increase in mean temperatures

Increase in intensity and frequency of extreme weather events

Uncertainties- greater weather variability

• Hence- drought after every three years from 8/10 years, presence of new diseases e.g rift valley fever in arid zones, water scarcity, loss of livestock, increased vulnerability, increased conflict

Challenges to pastoralismThe production system still seen by most policy makers

and other stakeholders as backward-as a result:• Loss of land to other

competing systems• sedentarisation policies• Inappropriate service• Less investment to

support production system• Political marginalization• food aid -creating

dependency

Pastoralism and climate change mitigation

• FAO study (2006), livestock contribute to 18% of GHG emissions

• Pastoralists keep large herds of ruminant animals, which produce methane

• ILRI Kenya: All africa’s Cattle and other ruminants contribute just 3 % of global livestock Methane emissions

• Dryland stores 36% of total carbon storage worldwide

• 59% of Africa’s carbon stock is in drylands

• BUT, Pastoralists inhabit vast rangeland/grassland which has great potential for soil carbon sinks

Challenges to mitigation• Existing carbon market regime is in Voluntary market

not compliance targets like CDM hence less demand.• Information gap on sequestration potential of

rangeland• Information gap on economic feasibility• Pastoral communal land tenure brings in institutional

feasibility question• Capacity and readiness for carbon finance in

rangelands-limited understandingOpportunities: there is likelihood of increased financing

for mitigation as there is global concern of CC

Way forward-some ideas• Community LevelIncrease resilience through CMDRR

and adaptation– Livelihood diversification– Water availability– Rangeland management– Restoration of indigenous

management systems– Conflict resolution– Awareness on CC– -Contingency planning

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Way forward-some ideasNational-policy and practices• More incentives to enhance

production and adaptation• ensure mobility through

communal land tenure• Recognizing indigenous

knowledge • Development of framework

for payment for ecosystem Services

• perception change• Social protection-

Way forward-some ideas

• Other levels• RESEARCH/Finance– Potential of

rangeland in carbon sequestration/piloting.

– Weather-based insurance to manage risks and uncertainties.

ConclusionPastoralism is a way of life, production and livelihood system that is viable and resilient in arid and semiarid zones.It contributes immensely to the national economies.It provides ecosystem services.Rich indigenous knowledge

Therefore There is need to invest more for poverty alleviation, optimizing production and food security, enhancing adaptation and mitigation.Develop framework that helps them to benefit from eco-system services/carbon finance Increase protection/harnessing of local adaptation and mitigation strategies and knowledge

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