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Overgrazing and the Cattle Complex
Type of Session
Poster Presentation
Abstract
A multi-year drought has devastated communities in the Horn of Africa from 2015-2017, a region that already suffered from water scarcity. Pastoralist herders in Samburu and Laikipia Counties of Northern Kenya are among those most effected — seeing the desertification of arid and semi-arid grasslands that provide the food and ecosystem for their livestock. Some pastoralists have resorted to taking their herd to lands not typically used by their community, sparking conflict with farmers and conservationists seeking to protect their private property. Overgrazing in combination with the drought has led to vast desertification, loss of livestock, conflict, and loss of human life.
Using the above as a case study, this paper examines the link between the traditional "Cattle Complex" and its contribution to overgrazing as well as other social, economic and environmental problems. A thorough examination of Sambaru cattle practices confirms that tradtional cattle rearing conflicts with the necessary stocking limits required for drought and other crisis managment. Necessary stocking limits are determined using a model in which rainfall and phytomass are inputs to determine local carrying capacity. This paper identifies economic policy tools and interventions to mitgate the damage from current overgrazing.