The 2nd African Organic Conference – Mainstreaming ... - ICROFS

2 nd AFRICAN ORGANIC CONFERENCE 2012
May 2-4, 2012 in Lusaka, Zambia
COMMUNITY&BASED&RANGELAND&AND&LIVESTOCK&MANAGEMENT&(CBRLM)&AS&A&
MULTIPLE:BENEFIT&STRATEGY&FOR&IMPROVING&MEAT&PRODUCTION&WITH&&LOW&
EXTERNAL&INPUTS&&
COLIN NOTT
Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation, Wiebke Volkmann,
GOPA-CBRLM and Namibia Centre for Holistic Management, Namibia
canott@iafrica.com.na, Website: www.irdnc.org.na
Abstract
This presentation focuses on mixed agricultural production on communal (open access) land in Namibia..
Both subsistence and commercial farming experiences a decline in carrying capacity and crop yields over
the past decades. Because of the multiple production goals of livestock owners in communal areas any
intervention to address farming practices requires a flexible, holistic approach.
The key strategy of CBRLM involves combining the animals of various owners in a negotiated grazing
area and herding them according to a grazing plan. This does not directly stem from a desire to produce and
market organic produce but it satisfies most of the criteria of organic production and therefore is seen as a
relevant contribution to this conference. Previous agricultural extension had tried to curb overgrazing and
loss of top soil and perennial grasses by encouraging farmers to reduce their stock numbers. Besides being
socially unacceptable this strategy has also not had the desired result of reversing land degradation.
(MAWF, 2009). This paper describes the recent efforts on communal land with regards to improving
quality and sustainability of livestock and the resource base which it depends on.
The Namibian NGO Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC) together with
relevant line ministries was instrumental in developing community facilitation processes and a legal
framework and joint ventures that now return material, financial and decision making benefits to rural
communities from tourism and wildlife enterprises. Building on this success the organization went on to
explore ways to reduce the risks of ecological break down and of limited income streams by enhancing the
traditional livestock practices of rural communities.
CBRLM requires few or no external inputs for raising healthy animals while lowering the risk and
improving the money earning capacity of pastoralists who up to now were at the mercy of erratic climate,
climate change and market dynamics. The practice is gaining momentum because it builds on and
combines culturally acceptable forms of management (herding) with sound ecological and scientific
knowledge. Ecological benefits of CBRLM are not limited to the production of healthy animal and dry
land crop produce but also to enhancing ecological services, such as an improved water and mineral cycle,
biological management of “problem organisms” and increased soil carbon sequestration.
The economic advantages from herding come through reduced losses (to predators, abandonement, stock
theft and neglect of disease or injury) as well as improved animal nutrition and from that better animal
condition and production (milk, birth rates, slaughter weights and grading). Job opportunities and improved
livelihoods in rural areas, reduced conflict over resource use and water infrastructure maintenance, reduced
and shared labor especially for HIV/AIDS affected households and the social cohesion through a joint
purpose are some of the social benefits that have come from herding and planned grazing.
This paper also discusses how the grass roots experiences of an NGO (IRDNC) are informing and inspiring
large scale national development programs and policy making.
Key words: communal land, sustainable rangeland management, policy making, indigenous livestock, lowinput
agriculture.
BOOK OF ABSTRACTS 41