Central Rangelands Development Project

Central Rangelands Development Project

The area covering the three regions of Hiiraan, Galgduud and Mudug in the central part of Somalia is known as the central rangelands. The area is classified as arid to semi-arid and is subject to frequent droughts. The population comprises herders who roam freely throughout the area and neighbouring regions with their camels, cattle, sheep or goats. Together with other observers, they are concerned about uncontrolled grazing and an increase in watering points, which threaten the sustainability of the rangelands.

The project was designed to improve the living conditions of the pastoralists, and to improve rangeland sustainability and livestock production in the project area. Project activities focused on:

• helping to raise productivity, incomes and nutritional levels, and creating employment opportunities by modernizing production techniques and providing training to herders
• improving livestock water supplies and strengthening veterinary services
• encouraging pastoral communities to congregate in areas where social services can be provided more effectively

• arresting environmental decline, stabilizing the rangeland and introducing improved grazing practices as part of a rational system of rangeland management
• strengthening regional capacity to implement natural resource management
• improving access to the area so that veterinary services can reach herders

Source: IFAD