Agroecology in pastoralist landscapes

In the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists and in the lead-up to global milestones such as the upcoming UN Convention to Combat Desertification COP17 in Mongolia, we must confront a fundamental truth: pastoralists are not relics of the past but architects of global resilience whose knowledge and practices illuminate pathways toward more sustainable futures.  

Across the world’s drylands, which cover 42 percent of the earth surface, pastoralist communities have long sustained ecosystems, preserved biodiversity, and cultivated food systems adapted to climate variability.  Yet these landscapes have been persistently framed through a modernization lens that privileges agricultural and infrastructure expansion while leaving them systematically under-protected.  Under current trajectories, projections indicate that by 2100, drylands will experience some degree of land conversion across 95–100% of their remaining natural habitat due to urban, agricultural and alternative energy expansion. It is time to shift that narrative.   

A glimpse of hope 

Mobility, integration of livestock, seasonal migration, and the preservation of indigenous vegetation are the foundations of agroecological systems in drylands. When viewed through the Principles of Agroecology, pastoralism delivers critical outcomes, including climate action through enhanced carbon sequestration in grasslands, biodiversity conservation in rangeland ecosystems, and food sovereignty for communities that manage their own production systems.

Pastoralists’ extensive and adaptive management practices continuously develop, adapt and redefine sustainable grazing systems across diverse ecosystems. For instance, Sámi herders raise semi-domesticated reindeer on tundra lichen using shovels while in the Sahel, herders move animals across borders and landscapes to access seasonal pastures. Traditional agropastoral and transhumant systems allow soils to rest and regenerate, maintain water regulation, regulate pests and diseases, support biodiversity and reduce fire risks. Research, including studies in drylands, shows that livestock grazing has the potential to regulate biomass, leading to optimal conditions for soil carbon sequestration.  

Crossing walls 

Despite these vital contributions, pastoralist communities face mounting challenges, including shrinking grazing corridors, land-use conflicts, and insecure land tenure. In many dryland regions, rangelands are being converted into sedentary agriculture or development projects, undermining mobility and ecological balance. Land degradation is intensifying due to climate change and human pressures. However, pastoralists are often wrongly blamed for this degradation, when in fact, they are among the first victims and the most effective stewards of restoration. FAO notes that there is a long-standing belief that

“….extensive pastoralist production is detrimental to rangeland health through overgrazing and lack of consideration for shared resources.”  

As a consequence, pastoralists’ ability to sustain regenerative practices depends not only on acknowledging their stewardship but also on securing land tenure and mobility rights. Land tenure security must go beyond fixed plots and support mobility, flexible access, and non-exclusive land use, as stated in the “Securing Land Rights for Pastoralism” Policy Brief by The IYRP WG on Pastoralism and Land Rights. Without secure access to rangelands and water points, pastoralists are unable to maintain practices that regenerate soils and combat desertification. Recognising mobility as a legitimate land-use strategy enables dynamic landscape management in response to seasonal resource availability, prevents overgrazing, and promotes ecological recovery, enabling ecosystems to thrive. 

Agroecology, a powerful pathway forward 

Pastoralism is increasingly recognised as one of the many expressions of agroecology, adapted to the ecological and social dynamics of mobile grazing landscapes. Community-based rangelands, the use of locally adapted livestock breeds, natural cycles and restoration techniques such as water harvesting, soil regeneration and changing herd composition to include animals that feed on plants rather than annual crops, exemplify agroecological practices rooted in pastoralist knowledge. These methods enhance resilience to climate shocks, support food production, and restore degraded lands while reinforcing local governance and participatory decision-making. In this sense, agroecology is not only a production system but a governance framework that links land justice, cultural heritage, circular solutions, climate resilience, and sustainable livelihoods. 

The gender and generational dimensions of pastoralism must also be considered. Women in pastoralist communities are stewards of seeds, biodiversity, and household food security, yet their land rights and decision-making are often overlooked. Ensuring tenure security for women and youth, and including women in herd management (often confined to the domestic sphere), are critical for sustaining agroecological transitions. Empowering these groups strengthens social cohesion, enhances adaptive capacity, and supports equitable resource management across generations. 

Looking ahead  

International commitments to conserve, restore, and sustainably manage rangelands signal an important shift toward recognising pastoralist systems alongside forests and wetlands in climate and biodiversity agendas. However, these commitments must translate into concrete actions. As emphasised in the FAO technical guide on governance and land tenure and the Policy Brief from The IYRP WG, direct financing for community-led land restoration requires supportive legal frameworks that recognise collective tenure and mobility, and inclusive governance structures that position pastoralists as decision-makers rather than passive beneficiaries. 

Pastoralism is not the problem but a vital part of the solution. When supported through secure land tenure, inclusive governance, and agroecological investment, pastoralist systems can restore degraded landscapes, enhance biodiversity, and provide sustainable livelihoods in some of the world’s most climate-vulnerable regions. As we move forward in global negotiations and national policy reforms, we must recognise that landscape justice begins with justice for the pastoralist communities who have stewarded these ecosystems for generations.

Investing in pastoralist-led agroecology is therefore not only an environmental imperative but a pathway toward social justice, inclusive governance, resilient landscapes, and sustainable food systems for all.