Pastoralist Production Systems and Climate Change

Abstract

Fundamental features of pastoral production systems in sub-Saharan Africa are examined in the context of their vulnerability to climatic change. The study considers the results of a natural experiment in alternative attempts to raise the productivity of Maasai pastoralists in Kenya and Tanzania. Two decades of contrasting inputs are compared in terms of indices of livestock production, fertility, mortality, milk production and offtake for sale and slaughter; average livestock holdings and wealth distribution; diet, dietary energy adequacy, and nutritional status as indicators of food security for a series of Tanzanian and Kenyan Maasai study sites between 1981-83.