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Accounting for pastoralists in Mozambique

Agropastoralism is the main form of livestock production in Mozambique. It is concentrated in the drier, central and southern provinces, away from tsetse-infested areas. While chickens and goats are more numerous, cattle are the most important type of livestock. They are a source of income and draught power, a store of wealth and important culturally. Livestock are a vital source of income for large numbers of farmers, especially in the south of the country.

Agropastoralism and food security could be improved through better veterinary services, improved feeding and watering in the dry season, and breeding based on local breeds. Agropastoralism is not officially recognized as a form of management, and it does not figure prominently in government policies. Better, more frequent and more detailed data will be needed if Mozambique is to take advantage of the opportunities presented by livestock for its agricultural development.

Also available in Portuguese.

  • Title: Accounting for pastoralists in Mozambique
  • Author: Jacob Wanyama, LIFE Network Africa; and Romuald Rutazihana, Rutazihana Consulting, Lda / League for Pastoral Peoples and Endogenous Livestock Development / 2022
  • Description: Information brief
  • Format: Pdf
  • Pages: 6

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    Accounting for pastoralists in Spain

    Spain has a very diverse range of ecosystems that have been created and transformed over centuries by pastoralism. Some 88% of the country’s land area can be used as pastures at some time of the year. Two main pastoral strategies have evolved: transhumance, and agrosilvopastoralism.

    • Transhumance involves moving animals between winter pastures (usually in the plains) to summer pastures (often in the mountains).
    • Agrosilvopastoralism involves grazing animals on pasture and crop residues, and in forests and tree plantations. The dehesa oak parklands are an example.

    No data exist on the number of pastoralists in Spain, the lands they use or the numbers of animals they keep. Pastoralism is in general decline, under pressure from changing economics and unfavourable policies. But awareness of its value for the environment, landscape management and tourism is rising.

  • Title: Accounting for pastoralists in Spain
  • Author: Francesca Pasetti, Concejo de la Mesta; Rubén Serrano and Pablo Manzano, Basque Centre for Climate Change; Pedro Herrera, Fundación Entretantos – Spanish Platform for Extensive Livestock Systems and Pastoralism / League for Pastoral Peoples and Endogenous Livestock Development / 2022
  • Description: Information brief
  • Format: Pdf
  • Pages: 6

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    Accounting for pastoralists in Iran

    Rangelands cover 84.8 million hectares (52.3%) of Iran. Mobile pastoralists manage 35 million hectares and raise some 23 million head of livestock of 28 different breeds. Iran has 4–5 million pastoralists, 1.2 million of them mobile or semi-mobile. They play a vital role in Iran’s food security and national economy. They produce 53% of the country’s meat), and contribute to cultural diversity and environmental conservation within their territories.
    Mobile and transhumant pastoralists move their herds along migratory routes between summer and winter pastures. Their ability to do this has been eroded since the past century. Their “territories of life” (customary territories) and migration routes have been fragmented through land-use change and inappropriate development.
    Pastoralists need more supportive policies, including the recognition of their customary territories, their rights to use land, and their customary governance systems. They must be involved in making decisions that affect them.

  • Title: Accounting for pastoralists in Iran
  • Author: Abolfazl Sharifian, Gorgan University of Agricultural Sciences and Natural Resources Nahid Naghizadeh, Cenesta / League for Pastoral Peoples and Endogenous Livestock Development / 2022
  • Description: Information brief
  • Format: Pdf
  • Pages: 6

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