Kenyan Pastoralists: How Changing Livestock Markets Could Reduce Conflict
Over nine million Kenyans are pastoralists out of a total population of 50 million. Together they hold livestock worth over US$1 billion. Livestock is their source of food, health, and wealth.
But livestock also causes conflicts. In some Kenyan communities, clashes between farmers and pastoralists erupt due to the scramble for fodder, water and space. Farms encroach on rangelands while livestock invade farms.
Research Finds Significant Drop In Limpopo’s Goat Breeding Practices
According to a study involving 183 goat keepers, communal farmers in Limpopo Province have significantly reduced their goat breeding practices, citing the repercussion of socio-economic impact. Goat breeding practices in South Africa are comparatively low at 1% in the world’s listings and only account for 3% in the African continent.
No Perfect Solution: Africa’s Smallholder Farmers Must Use Both Traditional and New Practices
Agroecology and advanced farming practices can co-exist in Africa. Indeed, to ensure African farmers and food markets can thrive while protecting local ecosystems – especially as climate change presents a host of new food-related challenges —- they must co-exist.