Pastoral livestock farming, in its many forms, provides a livelihood for more than 200 million people worldwide. It plays a crucial role in food security, the use of land unsuitable for crops, and the economies of many countries. However, this way of life now faces major challenges: resource depletion, climate change, population pressure, conflicts over land use and growing insecurity.
In the face of these challenges, pastoralism is proving to be a resilient, sustainable and well-adapted strategy. The mobility of livestock, including across borders, and the recognition of rights of access to natural resources (pastures, water) are essential to its long-term viability.
Having spent more than forty years supporting herders in the world’s major pastoral areas (the Sahel, the Andean highlands and Central Asia), AVSF has developed an approach, lessons learnt and a vision for the future to tackle the new challenges of the 21st century. The NGO supports civil society in enhancing its social and political recognition and in promoting modern and resilient pastoral livestock farming, within an environment that is also conducive to future generations.
