How it started
The Global Livestock Working Group (GLWG) was launched at the 18th International Farming Systems Association (IFSA) Symposium and Global Learning Opportunity (GLO), in November 2005 in Rome. The objectives of the GLWG are: i) connecting stakeholders working on people-centred development with an emphasis on issues concerning livestock in sustainable agriculture and rural development, ii) advocating livestock development through training and policy influence and iii) seeking for livestock development opportunities with other stakeholders. The establishment of Kenya Livestock Working Group (KLWG) in September 2006 is motivated by the need of providing a partnership forum to enable pastoralist communities secure their livelihoods through sustainable management of their natural resources and assets (land, water, vegetation, cattle). The focus of the KLWG is to identify, up-scale and replicate SARD good practices and build practice-to-policy links. The KLWG is structured as Thematic working group contributing to the SARD – Kenya Initiative.
Accomplishments
Namanga workshop “Livestock for Sustainable Livelihoods and Landscapes: Stakeholders gather to take stock of livestock good practices”, 14-17 March 2006
Against a backdrop of yet another devastating drought, 50 stakeholders and resource persons from across the livestock value chain met in Namanga, Kenya to share and build on proven good practices to enhance the sustainability of the livelihoods of pastoralists and other livestock keepers. As part of the SARD Initiative national process in Kenya, the gathering aimed to take stock of good practices across stakeholder groups, identify existing and needed training materials and capacity building, and explore policy implications and mechanisms to scale up what is working well. Bringing together Maasai and Samburu pastoralist community members, business persons, local and national NGOs, the research community, government and the FAO, the workshop resulted in: a) preparation to the launch of the Kenya Livestock Working Group b) identification of good practices that can be adapted at the local level; and c) priority action plans to address issues of local and national interest related to social capital mobilization, processing and marketing, and natural resources management including the livestock-wildlife interface. Additionally, livestock handling, processing and marketing good practices presented, were used to inform the livestock chapter of the upcoming World Bank Agricultural Strategy for Kenya.
Launching of the Kenya Livestock Working Group, Nairobi, 22 September 2006
The Kenya Livestock Working Group (KLWG) was launched as a network of stakeholders from government, civil society, inter- governmental organizations and research institutions to address capacity building, information sharing and exchange in the livestock sector. The KLGW aims at developing a framework and possible ideas for problem solving and decision making to enhance livestock-based livelihoods of rural families and communities. Since its inception the KLWG has achieved the following: a) held a four – day workshop at Namanga, 14-17 March 2006, b) documented SARD good practices related to livestock across the value chain, c) conducted a community exchange visit for interactive learning and exposure between Kajiado and Samburu districts, d) conducted awareness raising visits with potential donors. During the meeting participants agreed to develop concrete activities and mobilize resources to support its implementation, specifically three priority areas of action were identified: i) collaboration with other international and national livestock working groups, ii) establishment of an internet learning facility to link members and facilitate sharing information on livestock issues, iii) promotion of upscaling of good practices in livestock development.
On the horizon
The SARD initiative is planning to bring together different organizations and build a comprehensive resource for training pastoralists. Such a joint curriculum could draw on the work of the government and intergovernmental institutions, relevant local and international NGOs and private sector to address a) natural resources management (fodder and pasture management; grazing planning, micro and macro water use management and water harvesting, wildlife-livestock integration); b) livestock animal health care and welfare; and c) value addition and market standards. The Kenya Livestock Working Group has set a precedent in bringing together representation of the different actors across the livestock value chain to share their good practices. While this has resulted in important awareness raising, it would be essential now to bring key actors within the processing and marketing components of the value chain together for joint capacity building.
Learning about Livestock
Developing the Livestock Marketing Chain in Kenya
Economic Liberalization and Poor Livestock Farmers in Kenya
