Curtailing Direct Control of Stocking Rates

Colonial and post-colonial policy has often attempted to impose stock limits on pastoralists and agro-pastoralists. Such policies have:

- shown an ignorance of the nature of what are now known as non-equilibrium grazing systems, in which concepts of fixed carrying capacity are problematic
- in such systems, required underutilisation of the range, and foregone production, in good years
- neglected the multiple roles of livestock, including as investment and for creating and maintaining social relationships
- been very difficult to enforce without draconian measures
- contributed to distrust of, and alienation from, the authorities.

Outside the commercial sector, such policies are likely to be at best ineffective and at worst counterproductive. Improved natural resource management on the rangelands is more likely to come from policies which empower rangeland users, including:

- strengthening local natural resource management
- promoting conflict resolution mechanisms
- introducing grazing fee regimes.

Key References

Thebaud B., Grell H., and Miehe, S. 1995. Recognizing the Effectiveness of Traditional Pastoral Practices: Lessons from a Controlled Grazing Experiment in Northern Senegal. Drylands Programme Paper No. 55, IIED.

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