The Drylands Coordination Group (DCG) is a network for capacity building through exchange of practical experience and appropriate knowledge on food security in the drylands of Africa. The DCG networks in Eritrea, Ethiopia, Mali, and Sudan consist of NGOs as well as research institutions and governmental structures. DCG Norway administers funds from Norad to research projects and from the Norwegian Ministry of Foreign Affairs to information and policy work linked to the UNCCD and dryland challenges.
Pastoralism - External Publications
Pastoral pathways
Pastoral pathways: Climate change adaptation lessons from Ethiopia
September 2011
This report aims to understand the vulnerability contexts that are challenging the livelihoods of pastoralist in Ethiopia, looking into different options for adaptation to climate change . Read more »
Gender and access to land and natural resources in Mali and Niger
Gender and access to land and natural resources in Mali and Niger:
February 2011
Access to land and natural resources in Mali and Niger is a prerequisite for secure livelihoods for the vast majority of people. This paper published by IIED outlines research carried out in Mali and Niger on how women’s access to land and natural resources is changing. Read more »
Planning With Uncertainty: Using Scenario Planning with African Pastoralists
SOS Sahel UK and IIED | December 2009
Pastoralists have always lived with change, but the current pace and scale of change is unprecedented. Now, more than ever, diversification and adaptation are key to ensuring that pastoralists’ future is secure. The purpose of this booklet is to illustrate how the idea of scenario planning is being used to help pastoralists in Africa manage uncertainty and change. Read more »
Learning from the delivery of social services to pastoralists:
Elements of good practice
November 2009
Swiss Tropical Institute, Basel, Switzerland and the Centre Suisse de Recherches Scientifique au Côte d’Ivoire, Abidjan, Côte d’Ivoire For The World Initiative for Sustainable Pastoralism (WISP) Read more »
Women's empowerment in pastoral societies
By WISP, 2008 | September 2009
This study on Women's Empowerment is part of a process of increasing awareness and enhancing knowledge on the status of Pastoralism and facilitating informed advocacy, identify global lessons and provide universal recommendations for policy and practice. Read more »
Effect of Climate on Livestock Production
February 2009
Ethiopian Society of Animal Production. Newsletter, issue No 21, 2009 Read more »
Transforming Pastoralism: A Case Study of the Rufa’a al Hoi Ethnic Group, Blue Nile State, Sudan
Sudan Working Paper (SWP 2008:1) | May 2008
The pastoral sector in Sudan in general and in the Blue Nile State in particular has been marginalized and impoverished as a result of detrimental state policies, deteriorating environmental conditions and encroaching civil war. In order to survive these assaults, poor households among the Rufa’a al Hoi ethnic group were the first to settle and engage in activities only remotely related to the pastoral sector. Read more »
Food for Thought: Livestock Feeding Support during Drought
February 2008
Pastoralist Livelihoods Initiative Policy Brief Number 2, November 2007 Read more »
Will pastoral legislation disempower pastoralists in the Sahel?
International Work Group for Indigenous Affairs (IWGIA)
March 2007
Guinea, Mauritania, Mali, and Burkina Faso have all passed specific legislation in support of pastoralism. This paper reports that while some of these laws provide an improved framework for the management of rangelands and greater tenure security for pastoralists, they contain conceptual and practical problems which may ultimately further marginalise pastoral people. Read more »
Conflicts between farmers and herders in north-western Mali
IIED Issue paper no. 141 | January 2007
This study was carried out in the context of the Helvetas Mali development programme “Conflict prevention and management in Kaarta and Fuladugu”, whose aim is to improve relations between farmers and herders. Read more »
Prevailing Gender Ideologies which Hinder Girls' Education Among Pastoral Nomads in Eritrean Society
December 2005
This paper analyzes girls’ and women’s education in Eritrea in general, and among pastoral societies in particular. Read more »