Exploring pathways to strengthen pastoral livelihoods and rangeland value

Consumer awareness and valorization of products from grazing livestock systems was the focus of a webinar organized by The Global Agenda for Sustainable Livestock (GASL) as a contribution to the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists (IYRP) and the International Year of the Woman Farmer (IYWF), both observed in 2026.  

Speakers from a range of research institutions, producer organizations and civil society shared insights on the role of grassland-based livestock systems in supporting sustainable food production, ecosystem services and rural livelihoods. Contributions included insights from Andorra, France and Mongolia, highlighting programmes such as the FAO Globally Important Agricultural Heritage Systems (GIAHS), which has 104 systems in 29 countries, as well as a look into Mongolia’s rich rangelands and pastoral culture, focusing on its cashmere industry. Key challenges and future pathways for French pastoral systems were also explored. 

Carlo Murer, Mountain Partnership Secretariat (MPS), from the Business Incubator and Accelerator for Mountains and Islands (BIA) initiative, presented a mountain perspective and focused on the dairy value-chain case study from Phalut, Nepal, located at 3 500 metres above sea level. Carlo explained that traditional yak herding had become economically unviable, leading to declining herds and population loss. The traditional hard cheese churpi had experienced declining market demand and was increasingly exported for low-value uses, while climate change and uneven grazing patterns were contributing to rangeland degradation. Rangelands in high-altitude mountain areas play a crucial role in maintaining biodiversity, preventing soil erosion and regulating water cycles. Supporting sustainable grazing practices safeguards these fragile ecosystems as well as ensuring the long-term viability of pastoral livelihoods in mountain communities. 

To address these challenges, the initiative introduced a western-style soft cheese targeting Nepal’s urban markets. Local herders received technical training, appropriate equipment and support to meet quality standards and were linked to markets through a partnership with Nepal Dairy. By improving product quality and profitability, the initiative has helped restore interest in pastoralism while promoting sustainable grazing practices that protect rangeland health, ensuring both economic and ecological benefits for mountain communities. 

The webinar demonstrated how products from rangelands can be better recognized and valued for their contribution to sustainable food systems, biodiversity conservation and rural livelihoods. Stakeholders are encouraged to follow the remaining GASL webinars, which will explore silvopastoral systems, the role of women and youth in pastoralism, science-based communication and policy-relevant evidence for sustainable livestock development.