This 20-page dossier, published by Misereor in collaboration with the League for Pastoral Peoples, DiTSL, the Foundation for Ecological Security and Welt-Sichten, focuses on how herders and farmers collaborate to sustain fertile landscapes. An estimated half a billion people worldwide depend on pastoralism for their livelihoods. Pastoralists keep around one billion animals, accounting for around half of the world’s livestock. They make a significant contribution to food security and the economiy by supplying milk, meat, hides, skins, and live animals for both domestic consumption and export.. Their mobile livestock production system enhances biodiversity on rangelands and sustains their function as carbon sinks.
Pastoralism is one of the oldest forms of production known to humankind. An estimated half a billion people worldwide depend on pastoralism for their livelihoods. If we include those who process or market livestock products as well as urban consumers, up to two billion people benefit directly or indirectly from pastoral production. Pastoralists keep around one billion animals, accounting for around half of the world’s livestock. They make a significant contribution to food security by supplying valuable protein (milk, meat) while contributing both to the export of live animals, hides, and skins and to national value creation in their respective countries.Furthermore, their mobile livestock production system enhances biodiversity on rangelands and sustains their function as carbon sinks.
Despite this impressive track record, the public knows little about pastoralists.Reports about pastoralists are often full of myths and prejudices. While the media frequently reports on conflicts between settled farming communities and herders, it rarely reports on the often close relationships between these groups that have developed over time or these groups’ mutual exchange and peaceful coexistence.
The present publication aims to mark the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (2026) by filling this gap.
- The introductory article seeks to familiarise readers with the complex world of pastoralists.
- Part 2 provides an overview of the diverse synergies between pastoralist and farming communities in India by highlighting the relationship between farmers and herders. For example, manure from pastoralist production ensures that we can enjoy organic coffee from India.
- Part 3 explores how peaceful coexistence is possible in Nigeria’s politically charged climate and how pastoralist and farming communities in Tanzania refuse to be divided despite restrictive government policies. The publication concludes with suggestions from a conference in Nairobi and conclusions from the editorial team.
We need pastoralists! How herders and farmers sustain fertile landscapes
A dossier by LPP, DITSL, FES und MISEREOR in collaboration with the editors of Welt-Sichten
This 20-page dossier, published by Misereor in collaboration with the League for Pastoral Peoples, DiTSL, the Foundation for Ecological Security and Welt-Sichten, focuses on how herders and farmers collaborate to sustain fertile landscapes. An estimated half a billion people worldwide depend on pastoralism for their livelihoods. Pastoralists keep around one billion animals, accounting for around half of the world’s livestock. They make a significant contribution to food security and the economiy by supplying milk, meat, hides, skins, and live animals for both domestic consumption and export.. Their mobile livestock production system enhances biodiversity on rangelands and sustains their function as carbon sinks.
Articles
- Recognising Pastoralists’ Contributions; Pastoralists and Their Changing Relationship with Farmers: Camilla Toulmin
- The ABC of Pastoralism: Saverio Krätli
- On the Move: How Indian Pastoralists Sustain Food Production and Biodiversity: Ilse Köhler-Rollefson and Bhavana Kuchimanchi
- Poop to Pour Over! How Livestock Manure Helps Grow a Perfect Cup of Coffee: P.S. Madappa and Bhavana Kuchimanchi
- Beyond the Headlines: The Untold Story of Farmer-Herder Cooperation in Nigeria: Julia Krojer and Morenike Onaolapo
- ‘Our Cows and Your Crops Are Children of the Same Rain’: How Farmers and Herders Remained United: Andrew Msami and Dule Thadei
- Call to Action: Report on The African Pastoralist Gathering in Nairobi, January 2026: Saverio Krätli
- Pastoralists in Distress: What Needs to Be Done?: Rufo Roba Compagnone, Sabine Dorlöchter-Sulser, Ilse Köhler-Rollefson and Bhavana Kuchimanchi