Sustainable land management technologies: agro-pastoralism

Sources

Sustainable Land Management contribution to successful land-based climate change adaptation and mitigation: A report of the UNCCD Science-Policy Interface (SPI)

agropastoral

Definition

Agro-pastoralism is the integration of crop production and livestock production, and is practiced amongst settled, nomadic, and transhumant communities. The type of livestock kept by agro-pastoralists varies according to culture, climate, environment, natural resource availability, and geographical area, and includes cattle, camels, goats, sheep, yaks, horses, llamas, alpacas, reindeer and vicunas.

Benefits

According to the report on sustainable land management (SLM) by the UNCCD Science-Policy Interface (SPI), agro-pastoralism is a climate change mitigation option. Depending on land suitability, stocking density, and other factors, it has the potential to improve productivity, reduce soil erosion, and improve nutrient and water use efficiency. Agro-pastoralism could also indirectly enhance resilience and land-based climate change mitigation by reducing grazing pressures elsewhere.

Examples of SLM best practices in agro-pastoralism

Below are examples of best practices in agro-pastoralism cited in the report on SLM by the SPI.

Animal Draft Zero-Tillage

SLM - Land use type :

Mixed land

SLM - Technology group:

Agro-pastoralism

SLM - Type of land degradation addressed:

Biological degradation

Chemical soil deterioration

Physical soil deterioration

Soil erosion by water

Country

Zambia

Source

WOCAT

Animal draft zero-till involves the use of an animal-drawn mechanical planter to plant directly in un-tilled soil to minimize soil disturbance and leave a cover of crop residues to conserve the soil and water. The protective soil cover reduces evaporation and enhances infiltration while the improved soil structure and organic matter content increases soil water storage making zero tillage an important drought mitigating strategy.

Silvo-pastoralism: Orchard with integrated grazing and fodder production

SLM - Land use type :

Mixed land

SLM - Technology group:

Agro-pastoralism

SLM - Type of land degradation addressed:

Biological degradation

Physical soil deterioration

Soil erosion by water

Country

Tajikistan

Source

WOCAT

This silvo-pastoral system serves multiple purposes: it increases land productivity with the establishment of fruit trees, supports land conservation by limiting livestock to certain areas, reduces water runoff, and improved soil moisture and water retention (especially in areas on high slopes.

The integrated orchard with pastureland and fodder production is partially fenced to hinder livestock grazing. Trees are regularly pruned, while the pasture serves as feed for the livestock, with any remaining grass used as cut-and-carry fodder.