Pastoralism
Pastoralism is changing. Food crises and a lack of government support are fuelling concerns that pastoralist livelihoods are unviable, both as a way of life and a system of producing food.
Yet new opportunities are opening up: better communications, transport and large shifts in trade are changing the commercial landscape. And some governments are embracing pastoralism more closely than before as part of their economic strategy.
The Future Agricultures Consortium is investigating the changing landscape of pastoralism in the Horn of Africa. We are examining who wins and loses from the changes taking place, and why. We are also looking at the new forms pastoralism is taking, and how pastoralists are responding to change in different ways.
Latest articles

FAC and its partners host MPs meeting on pastoral livelihoods and policy
December 16, 2011 / Pastoralism Securing land tenure for pastoralists in Kenya is one of the major concerns for policymakers from the pastoral community. A breakfast meeting hosted by Future Agricultures Consortium and its partners, Centre for Minority Rights Development (CEMIRIDE) and Pastoralists Development Network
Pastoral Seers of East Africa: Karamoja and Toposaland
March 31, 2011 / Posters Darlington Akabwai & Khristopher CarlsonFeinstein International Center, Tufts University Seers Research In 2008-2009 a team from the Feinstein International Center carried out research and photo-documentation on pastoral seers or diviners in Karamoja, Uganda and Toposaland,South Sudan. The research sought
Pastoralism, Power and Choice: Darfur, Sudan
March 31, 2011 / Posters Helen Young, Abdalmonim Osman, Ahmed Abusin, Michael Asher and Omer Egemi Introduction Livelihoods in the Darfur region of Sudan are closely linked to conflict, especially the pastoralist livelihoods of the camel-herding nomads – the Northern Rizaygat. Since 2004 they have
Camels and Commerce: Trends in Ethiopia
March 31, 2011 / Posters Yacob AkliluFeinstein International Center, Tufts University, Addis Ababa Background: Camel production and marketing is an under-researched aspect of livestock development in Ethiopia. This study was aimed to examine changing attitudes, ownership and uses of camels in Ethiopia, and track camel
Economics of Small-Scale Pump Irrigation, Somali Region, Ethiopia
March 31, 2011 / Posters Gezu Bekele, Alison Napier, Andy CatleyFeinstein International Center, Tufts University, Addis Ababa Impact AssessmentIn 2010 an assessment was conducted to assess the impact of an NGO project that provided water pumps, fuel and other assistance to ‘Asset Building Groups’ (ABGs)
Livelihoods and Environment: Pastoralism and Pastoralist Livelihoods
March 31, 2011 / Posters Helen Young and Afaf RahimTufts University Pastoralism in SudanSudan is home to one of the largest pastoralist populations in Africa. More than 45 pastoralist groups share a culture of pastoralism and transhumance and have long co-existed with each other and
Milk Matters: improving the health and nutritional status of children in pastoralist communities
March 31, 2011 / Posters K. Sadler, A. Catley & E. Mitchard Feinstein International Center, Tufts University Background Children that live in pastoralist areas of Africa are increasingly referred to as some of the most nutritionally vulnerable in the world. Yet, from work going back
Livelihood Impacts of Disarmament in Karamoja, Uganda
March 31, 2011 / Posters Elizabeth Stites & Darlington Akabwai Feinstein International Center, Tufts University Background: The Karamoja region of Uganda is the most remote and least developed region of the country and has long experienced insecurity from armed livestock raiding and thefts. Disarmament operations
Researchers discuss pastoralist innovation: Video
January 12, 2011 / Pastoralism FAC Researchers speak about pastoral innovation after presenting five research findings at FAC's University of the Bush in November 2010.