Speaking in the margins of a recent conference on the future of pastoralism in Africa, Hussein Makmoud from Pwani University College in Kenya talks abut the growing trade in camels in northern Kenya and southern Sudan and how these new markets are contributing to pastoralist livelihoods in the regions. The Addis Ababa conference (21-23 March 2011) was organized by the Future Agricultures Consortium with Tufts University.

Examines basic constraints to pastoral development. Looks into project financing, design and implementation. Discusses manpower development and training procedures. Includes notes on monitoring concepts and ILCA's monitoring activities.

Pastoralism is a farming system in societies that derive majority of their food and

income from livestock production. This form of farming system is practised in the

world’s arid and semi arid lands (ASALs). It is estimated that 70% of the landmass

in the Horn of Africa is dry land; in Kenya 80% of the landmass is classified as ASAL

while approximately half of Tanzania consists of dry land. These dry lands can only

be effectively utilised when used for livestock rearing, supporting wildlife resource

harvesting and tourism.

In pastoral societies women face many challenges. Some describe these as a ‘double burden’ – that is, as pastoralists and as women. However, pastoral women may obtain a significant degree of protection from customary law even if customary institutions are male-dominated. In periods of change (economic, social, political), this protection may be lost, and without protection from statutory laws, women are in danger of “falling between two stools” (Adoko and Levine 2009).

This paper investigates preferences for cattle traits among a pastoral community in a trypanosomosis prevalent area in Kenya. Choice experiments and mixed logit models are employed to estimate economic values of preferred traits which could be introduced through systematic breeding in breed improvement programs that utilise trypanotolerance trait. The findings suggest preference for traits linked to drought tolerance, high live weight, trypanotolerance and fecundity.

Ian Scoones, Science Adviser to ILRI reflects on the recent conference on the future of pastoralism and the work of ILRI in this area. He argues that pastoralism ‘must be part of ILRI’s research agenda into the future.” He identifies two promising areas: First, to engage in technical research on production issues in pastoral areas and pastoral systems - to sustain the enormous economic potential of such areas. Second, to support the broader area of innovation.

Ian Scoones from the Institute of Development Studies and the Future Agricultures Consortium reflects on some key issues emerging from a recent conference on the future of pastoralism in Africa. His overwhelming conclusion: Pastoralism is "alive and well" in some parts of the continent. But there are downsides: constraints caused by pressures on land, as well as recurring conflicts. This leads to a division between those who are "really making it" and those who are "really struggling." This poses major policy issues at the two ends of these extremes.

A study using participatory epidemiology (PE) methodologies was conducted in West Pokot and Baringo districts, Northern Rift Valley, Kenya to assess the status of East Coast Fever (ECF) and obtain livestock keepers’ perceptions of how the disease impacts on their livelihoods. A total of 658 livestock keepers comprising of 480 men and 178 women were invited to participate in community meetings held in twenty two purposively selected locations each in West Pokot and Baringo.

ILRI's Augustine Ayantunde reflects on the recent conference in Addis Ababa on the future of pastoralism in Africa. He draws attention to the two major conference strands - on one side, the optimists, on the other 'doom and gloom.' One thing is clear, it is not really possible to generalise across regions. He concludes by suggesting that the future will lie in pastoralist communities being able to take advantage of present opportunities while also taking care of their traditions.