The government of Kenya and the donor community should act fast to preserve the way of life of nomadic people.
The economic worth of nomadic people has long been underplayed, though the role they play in preserving fragile ecosystems is vital.
That is the conclusion of a new book published by the Institute for Environment and Development.
It adds that contrary to popular belief, many nomadic people have adapted rapidly to the modern world, finding out the latest market prices for cattle on their mobile phones and being able to organise the sale of their livestock to international markets, for example.
The book says the fundamental problem is that pastoralist communities cannot move in the way they once could.
“Pastoralism relies on unique production strategies, with the ability to move being the most crucial. Moving is now becoming a serious problem.”
Grazing lands are being taken over for other uses, and access to water and markets is increasingly difficult; the economic profitability of livestock keeping is being critically undermined.
“Animals are producing less meat and milk, and they are more susceptible to drought and disease. Poverty, resource degradation and conflict are increasing.”
Read more… (The east African)
Filed under: Africa, East Africa, Livestock, Pastoralism Tagged: Pastoralists