“The world’s 120 million pastoralists have much in common”, says LPP’s Evelyn Mathias. “They face common problems and should work together to solve them.”
Evelyn gave a presentation at a symposium on the European Sheep Trek in Brussels on 14 September 2010.
Most herders live in areas unsuited for cropping, such as dry areas and mountains. They rely heavily on their animals and on the environment. Many are mobile for at least part of the year. They are exceptional breeders, and maintain many unique local breeds. They are important in conserving the environment and producing food – but their role is often not appreciated by governments.
Such features are common not only in the developing world, but also among herders in Europe and other developed countries.
Groups of herders already collaborate internationally – for example through the LIFE Network. But herders should increase their collaboration to achieve recognition, supportive policies and appropriate opportunities in the future.

Download presentation (in German)

A group of non-government organizations has called on governments and international organizations to support the conservation of livestock breeds in their original habitats – and by the livestock-keeping groups that developed them.
Members of the LIFE Network, a grouping of organizations focusing on local livestock breeds, made the call at a conference at Kuttapalayam, in Tamil Nadu, India, on 13-15 August 2010.
The final statement from the conference calls on the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations to promote agro-ecosystems approaches to the management of animal genetic resources and support indigenous and local production systems.These goals are already incorporated in the Global Plan of Action on Animal Genetic Resources.
The NGOs also demanded that livestock keepers be included in the debate about the future of livestock production and to be recognized as guardians of livestock biodiversity.
The conference statement was signed by 21 NGOs from India, South Africa, Kenya, Spain and Germany.
Blog posting from Natural Justice, a South African NGO that participated in the conference.

Download the Kuttapalayam Confirmation document 123 kb

Ellen Geerlings

People-centred livestock development builds on livestock keepers’ own initiatives and efforts, while helping them to use the best of both local and outside knowledge and resources. This literature review summarizes and analyses the experiences of 16 projects and organizations in Africa, Latin America and Europe that use such approaches.

Geerlings, Ellen. 2010. People-centred livestock development: A tool for sustainable development? League for Pastoral Peoples and Endogenous Livestock Development. Ober-Ramstadt, Germany.

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