Synthesis of Existing Knowledge and Experience on the Provision of ...

National policy paints a conflicting picture <strong>of</strong> how sustainable development can be achieved in therangel<strong>and</strong>s. It appears that in the short term, government aims to support customary pastoralproduction systems. However, the long term focus is on ‘voluntarily’ settling pastoralists byproviding livelihood diversification opportunities most notably fixed on irrigated agriculture. Thelong-term policy vision for pastoral areas is influenced by the belief that increased population,poverty, <strong>and</strong> competition over natural resources, coupled with reduced quality <strong>and</strong> extent <strong>of</strong> therangel<strong>and</strong>s <strong>and</strong> increased incidence <strong>of</strong> climatic shocks, renders the pastoral system incapable <strong>of</strong>surviving in its current form. Tenure security for pastoral communal rangel<strong>and</strong>s also does not seemhigh on the national or regional agenda.Table 4: National strategies <strong>and</strong> laws which influence development in pastoral areas.Policy/StrategyPoverty ReductionStrategy Paper(PRSP)2001Relevance to pastoral development• Emphasises irrigation development in the lowl<strong>and</strong>s <strong>and</strong> supports the long-termvision <strong>of</strong> sedentary livelihoods for pastoralists.• Supports mobile pastoralism in the short-term through mobile serviceprovision.• Recognizes that pastoralists possess important traditional knowledge thatshould be considered <strong>and</strong> brought on board to make national policy morerelevant for pastoral regions.Plan for Accelerated<strong>and</strong> SustainedDevelopment to EndPoverty (PASDEP)2006• Echoes the PRSP in terms <strong>of</strong> emphasis on irrigation development in thelowl<strong>and</strong>s as well as the long-term vision <strong>of</strong> sedentary livelihoods forpastoralists.• Deeper discussion <strong>of</strong> pastoralism-related issues as compared to the PRSP. E.g.recognizes that mobility <strong>and</strong> livestock are central to the pastoral system <strong>and</strong>that restricted mobility disrupts livelihoods. Also acknowledges that drought,poor market access, poor veterinary services, water shortages, rangedegradation, <strong>and</strong> poor infrastructure impede pastoral development.• Recognizes that formal institutions have limited underst<strong>and</strong>ing <strong>of</strong> pastoralcommunal range management strategies, which is a challenge for pastorallivelihoods. Highlighted are the need to 1) recognize traditional institutions<strong>and</strong> leadership, 2) promote linkages between state <strong>and</strong> traditional governance,3) develop policy innovations which build on traditional norms as well as statepriorities, 4) develop participatory l<strong>and</strong> use policies based on communcal l<strong>and</strong>management systems, 5) consult pastoral communities in designing <strong>and</strong>implementing development projects in their areas. Also states that it isimportant to underst<strong>and</strong> <strong>and</strong> balance the economic advantages <strong>of</strong>interventions with the social costs.• No clear road map or plan provided for how to achieve the above aims.Rural DevelopmentPolicies, Strategies<strong>and</strong> Instruments(RDPS)2001• Since agricultural development is earmarked as a central economic growthstrategy, the RDPS guides development in rural areas to achieve rapid growthin the agricultural sector.• In pastoral areas, short <strong>and</strong> medium term strategies focus on availing water forlivestock production, with little mention <strong>of</strong> how this should be approached. Inthe long term, pastoralism is seen as an unsustainable livelihood <strong>and</strong>sedentarization is encouraged with irrigated agriculture as a core livelihoodactivity.41