Central Asia

Central Asia has about 250 million hectares of pasture, including parts of Russia, Mongolia, and China, and more than half of Kazakhstan, Uzbekistan, Tajikistan, and Kyrgyzstan, where pastoralism is the mainstay of many people. The populations are relatively small, but they are highly specialized and mobile pastoralists. 90% of the world’s yaks are reared in this cold desert region, along with camels, horses, goats, and Tibetan sheep. Pastoralists in the region have long-standing and extensive trade relations with neighbouring farming communities. The animals are well adapted to the altitude and cold temperatures found in this region, and Bactrian camels are unique to this area.

This region was also under the influence of the Soviet collectivization policies, and the fall of the Soviet Union led to a decline in state support for pastoralism. However, in response to the growing demands for wool and yak fibre from this region, as well as animal source food, pastoralism has seen a resurgence. In many areas, pastures are co-managed by local councils and pastoralists through institutions such as pasture user groups.

Challenges faced by Central Asian pastoralists include insecure tenure over resource access, disruption of mobility routes, large-scale land acquisitions for mining, hydropower, or large development projects, etc, and land degradation triggered by inappropriate land use. Additionally, the growing demand for livestock fibers such as cashmere has led to a large increase in herd sizes. The region also experiences extreme weather events, such as very harsh winters known as dzuds, during which significant livestock losses occur.

The anticipated needs and priorities for pastoralists in this region include securing land rights and ensuring access to traditional pastures, as many pastoralists face challenges due to land use changes, privatization, and border restrictions. Climate change adaptation is a pressing concern, with pastoralists needing support to cope with increasingly unpredictable weather patterns and extreme events like dzuds. Improving infrastructure for mobility, including roads and water points, is essential to maintain traditional migration routes. There is also a growing need for better access to markets and value chain development for pastoral products, particularly with the increasing demand for products like cashmere. Capacity building and education for pastoralist youth are priorities to ensure the continuity of pastoral knowledge while adapting to modern challenges. Additionally, inclusive policymaking processes that involve pastoralist communities in decisions affecting their livelihoods and lands are essential. Addressing these priorities will be crucial for maintaining the viability of pastoralism in Central Asia and preserving its cultural and ecological significance.

Mongolia, recognizing the global importance of rangelands and pastoralism, took on a leading role in proposing the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralism (IYRP) to the United Nations. This initiative aimed to raise awareness about the critical role of rangelands and pastoralists in global ecosystems, food security, and cultural heritage. The Mongolian government, supported by its pastoralist communities and international partners, submitted the proposal to the UN Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) in 2019. After gaining support from numerous countries and organizations, the United Nations General Assembly officially declared 2026 as the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralism. This designation is anticipated to promote sustainable rangeland management, support pastoralist livelihoods, and foster a greater understanding of pastoralist cultures and practices worldwide.

The Hub has supported:

The consolidation of the pastoralist constituency in a regional pastoral network by supporting community dialogues and a regional meeting held in Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia, in 2015.
Mongolian pastoralists, through the Mongolian National Pasture User Groups, will implement the IFAD-funded Pastoralist Driven Data Management System Project.
The active participation of the regional pastoral network in processes such as the Global Agenda for Sustainable Livestock.
Other FAO initiatives in the region include supporting the FAO land tenure team in implementing the VGGT and reviewing the draft pastureland law for Mongolia. The Mongolian National Federation of Pasture User groups is advocating for the improvement of rangeland management’s legal environment and policy.

The Hub also participated in the sub-regional working group meeting that was held in Tashkent in September 2019 to exchange learning, best practices, and work results from the previous triennial period up to 2019 and propose activities for the next triennial period (2020-2022). The Central Asia Rangeland Initiative, including members of ILC and partners from the region, focuses on rangeland tenure systems. The initiative is currently upgrading its network as Central Asia Pastoral Alliance (CAPA) in cooperation with the Hub.