Role of livestock in Reducing Vulnérability of Bedouin Society in the Northern Western Coast Zone (NWCZ), Egypt

Facing a severe 15-years drought, from 1995-2010, the Bedouin society of the NWCZ has developed strategies based on off-farm activities, seasonnal and permanent migrations; wadi agriculture, intensive animal production (sheep fattening, poultry production, etc.The size of the sheep and goats flocks are strongly decreased, around 60-80%, for two main reasons. Firstly, facing the rangeland degradation due to the combined effect of low rainfall, wind erosion and overgrazing, the breeders had to sell several animals just to purchase feedstuffs  to save the others. Secondly, breeding is no more attractive for yopung breeders due to the low profitability and the lack of rangeland. So, the Bedouins stratégies do not integrate the rangeland land. Moreover, the landownership is not clearly defined by the law, except near the villages and in the wadi, where the b reeders have respectively developed rainfall crops, especially barley, and fig and oliven trees with vegetables. However, even the severe degradation, the rangeland has a real high potential for animal production if sustainable management is applied and landownership better defined between the tribes and the local governance.

Based on the results of ELVULMED Project (ANR-CEP&S, ARC-APRI / Cirad / Inra), the project aims to define, in partnership with tribs leaders and local governance, a sustainable rangeland management, shared between the breeders, including best practices of grazing and regulations.

Recuperation of degraded rangeland after 15-years drought, National and international subsidies

The Egyptian law recognizes national land and private land, but not the collective land of the tribs. It is a strong challenge/conflicts between the tribs and the national government, especially the army which has reclaimed a part of the land. Moreover, the development of tourism impacts the best lands, the delta of the wadis and the coast which receives the highest rainfall

Pastoral system. Sheep and goats and somme camels. Before the drought, the size of the flaock was around 150-200 heads per family. Nowadays, the size is more around 25-40 heads and many breeders are stopped livestock activity. Some breeders have developed sheep fattening based on feedstuffs. Others are developed intensive poultry production in barn of 4,000-5,000 broilers/chickens.

National willingness to support livestock sectors but no efficient policies during the last 5-10 years

Research institutions, local governance, leaders of tribs, breeders, development agencies

Interviews with stakeholders and breeders, Participative workshops to share the results and draft the scenarios.