Pastoralist Field Schools improve pasture management in the Horn

During the past two decades, FAO and its partners have conducted Pastoralist Field Schools (PFSs) in the Horn of Africa. The brief document “Improving pasture management in arid and semi-arid lands in the Horn of Africa through Pastoralist Field Schools” (2018, 4pp) describes how their recent work with PFSs in Kenya (Mandera and Kajiado Counties) and Ethiopia (Borana Zon) has helped pastoralist communities build resilience to drought through better pasture management.

A PFS is a “school without walls”, where 25–30 pastoralists meet regularly and engage in experiential and participatory learning over a season/production cycle to improve a specific enterprise. Groups test and adapt good agricultural (including livestock-keeping) and marketing practices that assist members in achieving sustainable food production and improved livelihoods for their families. PFSs help increase the resilience of pastoralist communities through developing their critical analysis, decision-making and communication skills. PFSs contribute to enhancing livestock production and incomes, thus improving household nutrition, supporting better management of natural resources and reducing the impact of natural hazards and climate change on pastoralist households. The PFSs reportedly led to better use of livestock and human capital for sustained livestock production and incomes, as well as increased involvement of women in decision-making processes.

Posted on 29 April 2018 in Pastoral Research & Innovation, Pastoralism & Services, Pastoralist Livelihoods & Nutrition