The resilience of pastoralism highlights the deep-rooted symbiosis between humans and their livestock. People worldwide have practiced it for millennia, nurturing and breeding a variety of animals such as sheep, goats, cattle, donkeys, camels, horses, reindeer and llamas. Furthermore, the environment and the needs of their herds heavily influence the dynamics of pastoralism. This practice encompasses a range of approaches, from nomadic to sedentary and spans diverse regions, including Kenya, Iran, Somalia, and Nepal.

Pastoralism: The African Case

In Africa, pastoralism is not only widespread but also vital to the continent’s economy. According to the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, this practice spans 43% of Africa’s landmass, supporting a staggering 268 million individuals. The mobility of these pastoralists, who adeptly navigate their herds to different resource hubs for sustenance, has historically enabled them to thrive in the face of the continent’s unpredictable environment and safeguard their livestock across seasons.

However, this resilience is now under threat due to environmental extremes, as evidenced by the severe drought currently ravaging the Horn of Africa (HoA), one of the world’s most economically vulnerable regions. From northern Kenya to southern Ethiopia, this drought has resulted in the loss of more than three million livestock, amplifying vulnerabilities within pastoralist communities.

This is not the first hurdle to test the resilience of pastoralists. Across Eastern and Southern Africa, they’ve grappled with a series of mounting challenges, including expansive industrialization, the privatization of communal lands and wildlife conservation initiatives. Furthermore,  these developments not only hinder pastoralists’ traditional mobility but also undermine their ability to weather the unpredictable impacts of climate change, such as the ongoing drought previously mentioned.

The Impact of the DRIVE Project

In response to the mounting challenges faced by pastoralists, the ambitious De-risking, Inclusion and Value Enhancement of Pastoral Economies (DRIVE) project, funded by the World Bank and in partnership with ZEP-RE – a leading reinsurer in Africa and a specialized institution of the Common Market for Eastern and Southern Africa (COMESA) – aims to catalyze positive change in pastoral economies. With a budget of $360.5 million, DRIVE aims to reach more than 1.6 million pastoralists across 2,500 groups over a five-year period.

In addition, this initiative focuses on safeguarding pastoralists against the financial toll of extreme weather events like droughts through innovative financial services, including drought insurance and digital savings accounts. By incentivizing diversification of wealth beyond livestock holdings, pastoralists can better weather small shocks and access insurance linked to their digital accounts to mitigate more severe ones.

Looking Forward

DRIVE’s comprehensive strategy not only seeks to enhance resilience to climate change but also to stimulate the commercialization of livestock production and promote inclusivity, with a focus on marginalized groups like women. By empowering pastoralist communities through the DRIVE project, they will be better equipped with the tools needed to navigate the dynamic challenges of their environment while ensuring the sustainability of their livelihoods and overall well-being.

– Ani Gonzalez Ward
Photo: Unsplash