Pastoralism and Animal Health – Challenges

“Workshop of the Pastoralists Knowledge Hub on building an enabling environment for the sustainable development of pastoralists in North Africa and the West Asia

Hammamet, 14 and 15 January 2016”

Dr Alessandro RipaniOIE Sub Regional Represenative for North Africa

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Rationale of pastoralism I

Two-thirds (2,500-3,400 Mha) of the agricultural land on planet Earth is grassland

Limited rainfall, high altitude or mountainous conditions.

High seasonal and inter-annual variation of pasture requires high flexibility and mobility

Various types of mobile livestock husbandry systems have developed that are well adapted to these systems

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A sheep herd in Kyrgyzstan

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Pastoral areas in the Sahel and in Central Asia

Rationale of pastoralism II

Not in competition with human nutrition because humans cannot digest cellulose

Land reserves sustain considerable human and animal populations which could not be sustained in any other way in such areas

Pastoralist communities are underserved by and under-represented in many governments

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Dromedary herd in North Mali

Kyrgyz sheep breeders

Rationale of pastoralism III Risk of delinquency or terrorism

when pastoralist livelihoods are compromised

Regularly hit by natural disasters such as drought, locust invasions or snow storm catastrophes (e.g., Zud in Mongolia)

Large areas currently inaccessible because of political unrest and violence

Threats from mining operations, conversion to cropping or land grabbing

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Kel Tamachek tent in North Mali

Kyrgyz yurt

Social-ecological framework for pastoralism

Semi-arid ecosystems

• lack of water• seasonality of rainfall• hot and cold areas /

highland-lowland contexts• livestock / wildlife interface

Natural resources

• highly limited agricultural production

• almost exclusive use by extensive pastoral livestock systems

• Horticulture, e.g. gum arabicum

• mining, oil6

Energy

• lack of forests• potential for renewable energy• animal source fuels

Geography

• long distances• lowland and highland contexts

Demography

• low population density• limited governance• conflicts (resources)• Access to education, health,

and Veterinary Services

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Yak and cattle in Terelj, Mongolia

A ger (traditional felt tent) in Mongolia

Pastoral livestock production

Highly intensive vs. extensive pastoral livestock production systems• extensive pastoralism is almost

the only way for sustainable use of semi-arid highland-lowland landscapes

Type of animals: drought-tolerant ruminants

Feed and water: seasonal availability of fodder necessitates a mobile lifestyle8

Preparing for transhumance in Chad

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Bactrian camels in the South Gobi,Mongolia

Threats to pastoralism Land grabbing

Fencing

Detrimental policies on • Land use• Sedentarization / mobility• Lack of social services (health,

education, environment, security)

Erosion / desertification

Lack of effective conservation / protection of genetic resources

Conflicts / civil unrest / terrorism

Food insecurity / natural disasters

Transboundary animal diseases10

Health service for Kel Tamachek in North Mali: nearest health centre is >60 km away

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Poor water quality in North Mali A starving sheep in North Mali, 2006

An austere Kel Tamachek household in North Mali

Water must be pulled up from 80 m deep wells in North Mali

Unique potentials of pastoralism

Ecological potentials:• Preservation of unique ecosystems• High rate of carbon sequestration• No competition with human nutrition as cellulose can only be

used by ruminants• Animal excreta-derived fuels/fertilizer• Human presence in remote territories

Economic potentials:• Biodiversity / conservation areas• Ecotourism• Increased offtake of animal protein, animal products

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Animal source fuel and food conservation

Collecting cattle dung for fuel in Kyrgyzstan Preserving milk with salt inNaryn oblast in Kyrgyzstan

Future of pastoralism I

Community engagement, pastoralist associations, self-help frameworks

Decentralized environmental management with active participation of pastoralist stakeholders in policy making

Maintain mobility in socially and ecologically acceptable forms

Promote Global partnerships – World Initiative for Sustainable Pastoralism (WISP)

Develop veterinary assistance with governments and private sector involvement

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Transdisciplinary participatory stakeholder processes

Engaging pastoral communities, local and central authorities and technical experts

Engaging with pastoral communities, authorities & scientists in N’Djaména, Chad

Future of pastoralism II

Pastoral areas are an indispensable part of future land use.

It will be necessary to rethink local governance and social services, including animal and human health, education, transport, environmental management and security.

Improved social services like human and animal health services, locally adapted governance, and integrated adaptive management will pave the way for the sustainable use of pastoral areas, including, possibly, moderate intensification and larger export markets.

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Dairy camels waiting to be milked on the outskirts of Gode, South Ethiopia

Improving animal health

Better understanding of pastoralist management practices and movements to better deliver appropriate services

Development and application of appropriate technologies – e.g., cold chain, heat stable vaccines, field diagnostic kits

Training and use of veterinary para-professionals within pastoral communities with links to government and/or private veterinarians

Provide preventive, therapeutic and nutritional interventions

Foster supporting policies, laws and regulations to facilitate use of veterinary para-professionals and a high quality input supply chain, including vaccination campaign and disease eradication programmes

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A One Health approach

Health services are often lacking for pastoralists as well as their animals

A one health approach to service delivery has merit

Offers greater efficiencies in service delivery – e.g., cold chain, staffing, transport

Can better address important zoonotic threats, e.g., brucellosis

Promotes greater participation in vaccination campaigns by pastoralists and their animals

Southern Sudan, 1990s. UNICEF Operation Lifeline Sudan Rinderpest vaccination in cattle; Polio vaccination in children.

Chad 2000s, Anthrax, pasteurellosis, blackleg and CBPP in cattle; Diphtheria, pertussis and tetanus in children (Schelling et al., EID, 13(3):373-379, 2007)

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OIE efforts in support of pastoralism – Current I Sensitisation of high level decision-makers on the

importance of pastoralism

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OIE efforts in support of pastoralism – Current II Establishment of an “Alliance of Countries with

Pastoralism Activities by Nomadic Populations”

• First meeting during the 2013 OIE General Session

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OIE efforts in support of pastoralism – Current III Nouakchott Declaration on pastoralism (October 2013)

Regional Sahel Pastoralism Support Project (PRAPS)

• 6 countries involved

• OIE contributes to Component 1 – Animal Health

o Support to countries through the OIE PVS Pathway

o Regional coordination through Regional Animal Health Centre (RAHC)

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Overview

Regional Project funded by the World Bank + national counterparts and beneficiary contributions;

Six countries: Mauritania, Senegal, Mali, Burkina Faso, Niger, Chad;;

+ a regional institution: The Standing Committee Interstate fighting against drought in the Sahel;

Direct consequence of the statements and commitments made by the countries of the Sahel, regional organizations (ECOWAS, UEMOA, CILSS) and donors during the Nouakchott Forum in N'Djamena in 2013 to secure pastoralism and assosiated way of life (nomadism and transhumance) in the interest of people and Sahelian economies;

Peculiarity:

- Coordination of activities at the regional level by CILSS but implementation at national level.

Project Development Objective

Improve access to essential productive assets, services and markets for pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in selected trans-border areas and transhumance axes across six Sahel countries, and strengthen country capacity to respond promptly and effectively to pastoral crises or emergencies

Améliorer l’accès à des moyens et services de production essentiels et aux marchés, pour les pasteurs et agropasteurs, dans des zones transfrontalières sélectionnées et le long des axes de transhumance dans les six pays Sahéliens, et améliorer la capacité de ces pays à répondre à temps et de façon efficace en cas de crises pastorales ou d’urgences

Beneficiaries of the Project

Final beneficiaries: Breeders nomadic and transhumant agro-pastoralists;

Central and decentralized national services in charge of livestock (including veterinary)

Private service providers (including veterinarians)

Regional Institutions (CILSS, CRSA);

Structure of the project

COMPONENTS

1. improve animal health

2. improve the management of natural resources

3. facilitate access to markets

4. improve the management of pastoral crises

5. project management and institutional support

Thank you for your attention !

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