1. Transhumant practices and its effects on natural resource management in the Sudano-Sahelian Zone of Mali
Clarisse UMUTONI & Augustine AYANTUNDE
International Livestock Research Institute, ILRI
Africa RISING-Legacy Writeshop, December 12-13, 2016

2. Plan
Introduction
Methodology
Main results & discussion
Conclusion

3. Introduction Forage and water scarcity (dry season)
Increased livestock movement into the Southern region of Mali
Increasing competition over natural resources
This may lead to natural resource degradation

4. Introduction
Despite the strong presence of transhumant herds in the Sudano-Sahelian zone of Mali in the past 30 years :
There has been limited research on the practice of transhumance in that zone compared to several studies in the Sahelian zone
Few studies addressed the issues of transhumant practices and NRM

5. Introduction Assumption
We assume that natural resources are affected by the increase of transhumant practices in southern region of Mali

6. Introduction Research questions
What are impacts of transhumant practices on natural resource management ?
How is the day to day relation between transhumant herders and host communities?
What are the factors influencing individual’s perceptions of impact of transhumant practices on NRM?

7. Introduction Objective
Analyze individual’s perception of impact of transhumant practices on NRM in southern Mali

8. Methodology a) Study area Southern part of Mali
Two districts : Bougouni and Koutiala
Six communities

9. Methodology b) Approach Data collection period:
February to April 2014 : period of transhumance to ensure inclusion of transhumant herders 'perspective

10. Methodology b) Approach Data collection Focus group discussions
individual interviews :177

11. Methodology b) Approach Data analysis Descriptive statistics
Chi Square and ANOVA
Multinomial logit (MNL) model
SPSS (version 20) was used for the analysis

12. Key results and discussion
Table 2. Effect of transhumant practices on NRM over the past 30 years
Parameters
Bougouni
Koutiala
Farmers (%)
Settled pastoralists (%)
Transhumant herders (%)
Availability of forage resources
Increase
6.7
4.2
1.5
5. 6
Decrease
93.3
82.4
91.6
78.5
88.8
87.5
No change
17.6
20.
5.6
12.5
Abusive cutting of trees
100
33.3
67.7
44.4
4.4
25.0
2.3
41.7
32.3 50

13. Key results and discussion
Table 2. Effect of transhumant practices on NRM over the past 30 years (CNTNG…)
Parameters
Bougouni
Koutiala
Farmers (%)
Settled pastoralists (%)
Transhumant herders (%)
Incidence of conflict over NR
Increase
82.2
88.2
62.5 20
27.8
37.5
Decrease
4.4
12.5
No change
13.3
13.4
25.0 80
72.2
Species richness of the vegetation
1.6
100
29.2
64.6
77.8 25
58.3
33.8
22.2 75
Spread of invasive species
95.6
94.1
33.3
9.2
5.6
5.9
8.3
27.7 50
58.4
63.1
44.4

14. Key results and discussion
Table 2. Effect of transhumant practices on NRM over the past 30 years (CNTNG…)
Bougouni
Koutiala
Farmers (%)
Settled pastoralists (%)
Transhumant herders (%)
Farmer (%)
Soil fertility improvement
Increase
46.7
11.8
20.8
41.5
55.6
62.5
Decrease
48.9
82.3
41.7
24.7
11.1
No change
4.4
5.9
37.5
33.8
33.3
Annual production of vegetation
8.4
5.6
95.6
94.1
45.8
67.7
32.3
38.8
100

15. Key results and discussion (Turner 2003; Ayantunde et al. 2014).
This negative perception of farmers
Could be explained by the dominance of the ethnic groups who are traditionally farmers in the study sites and who often do not have a favorable view of the transhumant pastoralists because they are seen as competitors for their natural resources
(Turner 2003; Ayantunde et al. 2014).

16. Key results and discussion
Determinants of perception of transhumant practices on natural resource management
socio-professional categories
location
education level
Age

17. Conclusion The results illustrate that :
Bougouni zone is comparatively more affected by transhumant practices
The perceived impact of transhumant practices depends on socio-profession groups

18. Conclusion This study suggest that :
It is necessary to engage all actors on how to effectively manage the presence of transhumant herders to promote sustainable use of natural resources in Sudano-Sahelian zone of Mali

19. Thank you for your attention!