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Approaches
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Communal grazing management [Namibia]

Omarisiro wovinamuinjo motjimbumba

approaches_3050 - Namibia

Completeness: 100%

1. General information

1.2 Contact details of resource persons and institutions involved in the assessment and documentation of the Approach

Key resource person(s)

SLM specialist:
land user:
Name of project which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)
Southern African Science Service Centre for climate change and Adaptive Land management (SASSCAL)
Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)
Conservation Agriculture Namibia (Conservation Agriculture Namibia) - Namibia
Name of the institution(s) which facilitated the documentation/ evaluation of the Approach (if relevant)
Zakumuka Producers Co-operative (Zakumuka Producers Co-operative) - Namibia

1.3 Conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT

When were the data compiled (in the field)?

2017

The compiler and key resource person(s) accept the conditions regarding the use of data documented through WOCAT:

Ja

1.4 Reference(s) to Questionnaire(s) on SLM Technologies

2. Description of the SLM Approach

2.1 Short description of the Approach

Facilitation of agreement among community members to jointly manage their communal grazing area by combining their livestock into a single herd to be driven to different portions of the grazing area. This is done in accordance with an agreed growing season plan that provides sufficient recovery for grazed grasses to reinvigorate themselves and a non-growing season plan to graze perennial grasses and prepare soil and plants for the upcoming growing season for regenerating rangeland productivity and well-being.

2.2 Detailed description of the Approach

Detailed description of the Approach:

The approach is a partnership between NGO, Ministries of Lands and Agriculture, National Farmers Union, traditional authorities and regional and local government. The NGO facilitates community members to recognise the damage caused to the rangeland by their individual herds of livestock grazing continuously on the same grass plants, and to appreciate the benefits that planned grazing can bring about. Farmers host facilitators on their land where the current state of the land is compared to that of the past and the reasons for the decline are investigated. Once farmers understand that all perennial grass plants need recovery and that continuous grazing depletes the root reserve, the land users soon conclude that it was their management that resulted in the loss of perennial grass and increase in bare ground. Once the root cause of the problem is established, the aim of the approach can be pursued, which is to regenerate rangeland productivity in the communal grazing area and thereby support higher production of livestock to in turn support livelihoods of the community. The focus on rangeland results from identifying and addressing the weakest link in the chain of production (converting sunlight to grass, or grass to meat, or meat to money) in a viable and upscalable manner. If motivation to apply planned grazing exists and there is sufficient cohesion among the community members, then their right to claim common property ownership of their grazing area needs to be established. In these pioneering communities this required at least 10 village level livestock owner meetings each to decide on the modalities of how to start planned grazing. These meetings continue after planned grazing has started to deal with ongoing planning as well as other aspects including animal production and marketing. Exposure visits to areas with successful grazing management helps to motivate community members. On returning home frequent follow-up meetings were facilitated by the same NGO and the Ministry of Agriculture to resolve local issues, which included overcoming traditional taboos, such as combining animals in one overnight kraal as well as whose bulls would be kept in the herd and how this would be managed. Boundaries with grazing areas of neighbouring communities need to be clearly mapped, recognised and respected by all. In case of grass poaching, the offender/s need to be swiftly and firmly dealt with, preferably through customary law. A grazing plan needs to be agreed upon by all livestock owners in the given grazing area, and endorsed by the local Traditional Authority. The Grazing Area (GA) is then mapped, while herders are appointed though agreement among all livestock owners. At night the cattle are kraaled nearby individual homesteads of their owners, where milking may take place and animals are attended to if necessary. In the morning, the appointed herders collect cattle from the different kraals (or joint kraal) and herd them to the designated portion of the grazing area for that day. Different portions of the grazing area are grazed from day to day and should not be returned to until the grazed grass has replenished its root reserves sufficiently, usually some months later. This was started at Erora in 2004, facilitated by the NGO, Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC). Implementation started in 2006, combining approximately 1200 cattle from 12 households. Farmers noticed a higher density of annual grasses after the first season, dramatic improvement in soil cover after 3 years with emergence of grass seedlings where none had grown on the hard-capped soil for decades. Then after three years, the farmers noticed the return of perennial grasses and increased biodiversity in many parts of the grazing area. However, when the extended drought started in 2011, planned grazing was interrupted and erosion gullies expanded into the grazing area, down which rainwater flowed off the landscape, thus dehydrating the rangelands. The drought lasted for five years, during which the planned grazing was temporarily discontinued in 2013. Instead, restoration work was initiated in 2014 by constructing bush filters at critical control points along key gullies, when facilitation was taken over by another NGO, Conservation Agriculture Namibia (CAN). After the region experienced successive years of severe drought and cattle in 2014 became too weak to be rounded up from all the kraals, the community members decided to revert to keeping cattle continuously near their homesteads. This had been intended as a temporary measure until surviving cattle gained sufficient strength to be rounded up from kraals and herded again, which only occurred in 2017. The communal grazing management approach was extended to other villages such as Outokototua and Nsindi in 2012, despite the drought. New boreholes were drilled and installed in all three areas to facilitate improved planned grazing.

2.3 Photos of the Approach

2.4 Videos of the Approach

Comments, short description:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=xNyFkDUH6MQ
This video is from a DVD created by the Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC), a Namibian NGO and co-sponsored by the Namibian Ministry of Agriculture and the Namibian National Farmers Union. The video documents the development of a rangeland program focused on Holistic Management, spearheaded by Colin Nott, a Holistic Management educator.

Date:

2007

Location:

Erora, Namibia

Name of videographer:

Andrew Botelle

Comments, short description:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=3Ey5v40KtkI
Combined herding to manage communal grazing with the use of stress-free handling of cattle,

Date:

2007

Location:

Erora, Namibia

Name of videographer:

Andrew Botelle

Comments, short description:

www.youtube.com/watch?v=6C4V_Cib8ts
Managing water flow to repair gully erosion

Date:

2015

Location:

Namibia

Name of videographer:

Andrew Botelle

2.5 Country/ region/ locations where the Approach has been applied

Country:

Namibia

Region/ State/ Province:

Kunene Region

Further specification of location:

Erora village, 18.32637 South, 14.05912 East

2.6 Dates of initiation and termination of the Approach

Indicate year of initiation:

2004

Comments:

Combined herding was discontinued at Erora in 2013 due to extreme drought, which ended in 2016/2017 rainy season, and land users are planning to use reserved grazing, whereby cattle are taken out each day by herders and left there to return on their own to water points. In the meantime, combined herding has already resumed at the Outokotorua grazing area.

2.7 Type of Approach

  • Science informs the traditional practice

2.8 Main aims/ objectives of the Approach

To regenerate rangeland productivity for supporting livelihoods and improved quality of life.

2.9 Conditions enabling or hindering implementation of the Technology/ Technologies applied under the Approach

social/ cultural/ religious norms and values
  • enabling

Herding is customary, and the task is now shared among families

  • hindering

Herding no longer carries the high social status that it deserves

availability/ access to financial resources and services
  • enabling

No bought inputs are required, and fewer herders needed than with many small herds. Also fewer losses from stock theft and predators

institutional setting
  • enabling

A grazing area committee was established with support of livestock owners

  • hindering

The grazing area committee is not legally recognised

collaboration/ coordination of actors
  • enabling

Partnership approach with Ministries of Lands and Agriculture, the Namibia National Farmers Union, traditional authorities and regional and local government

  • hindering

Resolution of local issues to apply grazing plans needs to be resolved

legal framework (land tenure, land and water use rights)
  • enabling

National Policy and strategy is in place which supports sound management principles

  • hindering

Grass poaching by neighbouring communities is not adequately dealt with by the law

policies
  • enabling

The approach is based upon the Namibia National Rangeland Management Policy and Strategy

  • hindering

Common property rights are insufficiently promoted

land governance (decision-making, implementation and enforcement)
  • hindering

Lack of integration of different scales of management between conservancies at large scales and grazing areas at smaller scale is required

knowledge about SLM, access to technical support
  • enabling

The awareness exists among participating livestock owners and stakeholders

markets (to purchase inputs, sell products) and prices
  • enabling

The Namibia National Farmers Union is busy addressing markets north of the veterinary cordon fence, which maintains a zone free of foot-and-mouth disease to the south from where farmers are able to access the lucrative EU market

  • hindering

During drought the drop in prices from sudden increase in supply, results in inability of farmers to sell livestock when sudden shortage of forage occurs

workload, availability of manpower
  • enabling

Fewer herders are required for one large herd than for many small herds

  • hindering

The role of herders as managers lacks status and not adequately appreciated, resulting in high turnover of trained grazing area managers and herders

other
  • hindering

One large livestock owner at a given place can hinder efforts of the majority to improve rangeland management

3. Participation and roles of stakeholders involved

3.1 Stakeholders involved in the Approach and their roles

  • local land users/ local communities

Communities of Erora, Outokotorua and Nsindi

To organise, plan and implement

  • community-based organizations

Grazing Committee

Oversee day to day implementation

  • SLM specialists/ agricultural advisers

Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC), then Conservation Agriculture Namibia (CAN) and Namibia National Farmers Union (NNFU)

To facilitate adoption and upscaling of the approach

  • researchers

United States Department of Agriculture (USDA)

To assess rangeland condition changes

  • NGO

First IRDNC, then CAN

To facilitate the approach

  • private sector

Zakumuka Producers Cooperative

To organise auctions for sale of livestock

  • local government

Traditional authorities

To support and enable agreed rules

  • national government (planners, decision-makers)

Namibian Ministries of Lands & Agriculture

Assist with facilitation and support

  • Farmers union

Namibia National Farmers Union

Enabling policy and legislation

If several stakeholders were involved, indicate lead agency:

Integrated Rural Development and Nature Conservation (IRDNC), taken over in 2014 by Conservation Agriculture Namibia (CAN)

3.2 Involvement of local land users/ local communities in the different phases of the Approach
Involvement of local land users/ local communities Specify who was involved and describe activities
initiation/ motivation interactive The community, with focus on livestock owners, youth, women and herders, under facilitation by NGO by conducting exchange visits to neighbouring countries
planning interactive Feedback was given to communities by participants of exchange visits, grazing committees appointed to contextualise and re-plan for the way forward under guidance of NGO, Ministry of Agriculture, Water and Forestry (MAWF) and Namibia National Farmers Union (NNFU)
implementation interactive The grazing committee, livestock owners and herders carry out the grazing plan with support of NGO, MAWF and NNFU
monitoring/ evaluation interactive The grazing committee and livestock owners constantly plan and replan and evaluate results on livestock performance and rangeland and daily check where livestock have grazed and where they will graze next and feed results into re-planning. Annual assessments of forage in May, to determine stocking rate.
external assessment of data external support External assessment by researchers of data gathered by USDA through Innovations for Poverty Action (IPA)

3.3 Flow chart (if available)

Description:

Adoption of planned grazing is based on experiential learning of farmers, identification of the root cause of degradation of their rangelands, developing a vision for their future, taking decisions towards this future and solving issues jointly.

Author:

Colin Nott

3.4 Decision-making on the selection of SLM Technology/ Technologies

Specify who decided on the selection of the Technology/ Technologies to be implemented:
  • mainly land users, supported by SLM specialists
Explain:

After exposure to sound management techniques and on farm identification and agreement on the root cause of the degradation – the farmers themselves decide if they will continue or not.

Specify on what basis decisions were made:
  • evaluation of well-documented SLM knowledge (evidence-based decision-making)
  • personal experience and opinions (undocumented)

4. Technical support, capacity building, and knowledge management

4.1 Capacity building/ training

Was training provided to land users/ other stakeholders?

Ja

Specify who was trained:
  • land users
  • field staff/ advisers
  • Ministry of Agriculture, Namibia National Farmers Union.
If relevant, specify gender, age, status, ethnicity, etc.

Inclusion of youth, women and herders

Form of training:
  • on-the-job
  • farmer-to-farmer
  • public meetings
Subjects covered:

On farm(s) exploration of root cause of degradation based on how it was in the past and how it looks now and why this change has happened.

Comments:

A number of issues including: Rangeland management, focussing on the needs of grass plants and soil. Needs of herders, people and stakeholders and how these various needs can be met. Institutional support for grazing committee, focussing on budgeting and financial management.

4.2 Advisory service

Do land users have access to an advisory service?

Ja

Specify whether advisory service is provided:
  • on land users' fields
  • Visits to successful farmers
Describe/ comments:

Mostly through exchange visits, community meetings, on farm excursions and on-the-job training.

4.3 Institution strengthening (organizational development)

Have institutions been established or strengthened through the Approach?
  • yes, greatly
Specify the level(s) at which institutions have been strengthened or established:
  • local
  • regional
Describe institution, roles and responsibilities, members, etc.

Grazing Committee guides and implements the grazing plans and support organisations including Ministry of Agriculture, Namibia National Farmers Union and NGOs provide support and advice.

Specify type of support:
  • capacity building/ training
  • equipment
Give further details:

Exchange visits, facilitation of meetings and on-the-job training. Drilling and equipping of boreholes. Redesign of water supply for livestock and combined kraaling system.

4.4 Monitoring and evaluation

Is monitoring and evaluation part of the Approach?

Ja

Comments:

To support decision making

If yes, is this documentation intended to be used for monitoring and evaluation?

Nee

4.5 Research

Was research part of the Approach?

Ja

Specify topics:
  • sociology
  • economics / marketing
  • ecology
Give further details and indicate who did the research:

USDA/IPA came to evaluate rangelands and consult key stakeholders

5. Financing and external material support

5.1 Annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach

Indicate the annual budget for the SLM component of the Approach in US$:

10000.00

If precise annual budget is not known, indicate range:
  • 10,000-100,000
Comments (e.g. main sources of funding/ major donors):

Major donor to initiate the project was Enagelica Entwikelins Diens (EED), through IRDNC and later funding came from the Millenium Challenge Account (MCA), the EU and now the Finnish Embassy through CAN. Cost is per grazing area for local level field facilitation.

5.2 Financial/ material support provided to land users

Did land users receive financial/ material support for implementing the Technology/ Technologies?

Ja

If yes, specify type(s) of support, conditions, and provider(s):

Upgrades of boreholes, drilling and equipping of new boreholes that are elephant proof and construction of lion proof kraaling was funded through the NGO.

5.3 Subsidies for specific inputs (including labour)

  • labour
To which extent Specify subsidies
partly financed Part payment to herders 2004-2007 in Erora only
  • other
Other (specify) To which extent Specify subsidies
Boreholes and kraals partly financed Erora upgrade USD 10 000, second solar borehole half funded by community USD 10 000. Lion proof kraal funded by Africat – USD 2 000
If labour by land users was a substantial input, was it:
  • paid in cash
Comments:

Only for first four years at one of the villages to enable proof of concept to be established

5.4 Credit

Was credit provided under the Approach for SLM activities?

Nee

5.5 Other incentives or instruments

Were other incentives or instruments used to promote implementation of SLM Technologies?

Nee

6. Impact analysis and concluding statements

6.1 Impacts of the Approach

Did the Approach empower local land users, improve stakeholder participation?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

Through the whole approach

Did the Approach enable evidence-based decision-making?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

Through observations by herders and livestock owners

Did the Approach help land users to implement and maintain SLM Technologies?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

Combined herding through planned grazing

Did the Approach improve coordination and cost-effective implementation of SLM?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

Key stakeholders are all involved

Did the Approach mobilize/ improve access to financial resources for SLM implementation?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly
Did the Approach improve knowledge and capacities of land users to implement SLM?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

Training provided the skills to self organise and implement activities based upon identification of root cause of land degradation

Did the Approach improve knowledge and capacities of other stakeholders?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

Ministries of Agriculture and Lands

Did the Approach build/ strengthen institutions, collaboration between stakeholders?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

Key stakeholders are all collaborating, since the solution to rangelands cuts across various sectors

Did the Approach mitigate conflicts?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

Reinstated sense of community

Did the Approach empower socially and economically disadvantaged groups?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

Women-headed households now have their livestock herded communally

Did the Approach improve gender equality and empower women and girls?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

Women-headed households now have their livestock herded communally

Did the Approach encourage young people/ the next generation of land users to engage in SLM?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

Herders are mainly youth and young livestock owners, who appreciate improved rangeland and are now willing to remain

Did the Approach improve issues of land tenure/ user rights that hindered implementation of SLM Technologies?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

The willingness to address appropriate land rights may initiate resolution of land issues

Did the Approach lead to improved food security/ improved nutrition?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

Much during good rains and little during drought

Did the Approach improve access to markets?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly
Did the Approach lead to improved access to water and sanitation?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

Access to borehole water was provided

Did the Approach lead to more sustainable use/ sources of energy?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

Solar installations were installed or replaced diesel where possible for pumping of water

Did the Approach improve the capacity of the land users to adapt to climate changes/ extremes and mitigate climate related disasters?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

Improved grass growth in good rain years and improved survival in drought

Did the Approach lead to employment, income opportunities?
  • No
  • Yes, little
  • Yes, moderately
  • Yes, greatly

Herders and managers were appointed

6.2 Main motivation of land users to implement SLM

  • increased production

Increased grass, higher calving and reduced mortalities

  • increased profit(ability), improved cost-benefit-ratio

Increased grass, higher calving and reduced mortalities

  • reduced land degradation

Changing unsustainable practices for improved resource base

  • reduced workload

Fewer herders needed

  • prestige, social pressure/ social cohesion

Social cohesion to implement joint management

  • environmental consciousness

To support the future of livestock in their area

6.3 Sustainability of Approach activities

Can the land users sustain what has been implemented through the Approach (without external support)?
  • yes
If yes, describe how:

They mobilise themselves, appoint herders, do the implementation, do the planning jointly and, and only asking for some technical support

6.4 Strengths/ advantages of the Approach

Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the land user’s view
By caring for the rangeland, farmers will have grass all year round and minimise effects of drought
Strengths/ advantages/ opportunities in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view
It has proven to improve the resource base if applied properly
It is viable and upscalable
It has diverse benefits for the land user, including economic, social and environmental

6.5 Weaknesses/ disadvantages of the Approach and ways of overcoming them

Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the land user’s view How can they be overcome?
If a new water point needs to be developed, then funds will be required Convince land users that by selling one or a few cattle to invest in a new water point, they will realise the returns from increased productivity within a few years
Weaknesses/ disadvantages/ risks in the compiler’s or other key resource person’s view How can they be overcome?
The herding is hard work, the status of herders is perceived to be low and they are poorly compensated. Convince livestock owners that they can adequately afford to compensate the herders.
Start national and regional vocational training in herding, grazing management, low-stress handling, animal health, rangeland management, water management and financial and farm management

7. References and links

7.1 Methods/ sources of information

  • field visits, field surveys
  • interviews with land users
  • interviews with SLM specialists/ experts

7.2 References to available publications

Title, author, year, ISBN:

Global case studies of grazing in nature’s image, Jim Howell, 2008, 1-4392-1610-X

Available from where? Costs?

www.booksuge.com

7.3 Links to relevant information which is available online

Title/ description:

Community based rangeland and livestock management

URL:

https://rmportal.net/groups/cbrlm/cbrlm-for-review/namibia-community-based-rangeland-livestock-management-cbrlm-2nd-edition/view

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