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This book traces briefly the development of the yak, and then describes in some detail its characteristics, productivity, and husbandry. It gives examples of yak production systems from the highlands of Asia, commenting on the rangeland ecosystem, the yak breed, its nutrition and management. There is also a discussion of the more recent research and development projects that may provide a basis for improvements in yak performance and in the utilization of the rangelands. The research and development may also lead to a wider distribution for the yak and to a better utilization of yak products. Any marked changes in yak husbandry are also likely to have far-reaching consequences for the social fabric of yak herding pastoralists.

Year of publication: 2003
Organization: Organisation des Nations Unies pour l'alimentation et l'agriculture (FAO) 
Topic: Économie, Sécurité alimentaire, Les savoirs autochtones, Peuples autochtones, Organisation, Value addition
Language: English
Type of document: Technique
Geographical coverage: Global

This study looks into the traditional roles of pastoral women in peace and conflict and confirms that women play important roles, both positive and negative, with regard to raiding and other forms of conflict. Women can greatly influence the behaviour of husbands and sons. This informal power held by women in pastoral households is crucial for peacebuilding interventions to build on.

Year of publication: 2003
Organization: Bureau interafricain pour les ressources animales (AU-IBAR) 
Topic: Conflit, Jeunesse et égalité des sexes
Language: English
Type of document: Scientifique
Geographical coverage: Afrique orientale

This study defines pastoralism in the Indian context whilst looking at the size, location, ethnic identities and migration pattern of major pastoralist groups in the Himalayan and arid and semi-arid regions. In addition, it highlights the major problems experienced by different types of pastoralists, as well as past and likely trends of pastoral development.  

Year of publication: 2003
Organization: Auteurs individuels 
Topic: Changement climatique, Économie, Services environnementaux, Sécurité alimentaire, Peuples autochtones, Organisation, Résilience, Services sociaux
Language: English
Type of document: Technique
Geographical coverage: Asie du Sud

This article addresses processes of livelihood diversification among pastoralists in the rangelands of northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia. It suggests a theoretical framework for addressing income diversification among pastoralists with reference to current literature and databases; presents a case study on pastoral income diversification based on preliminary field research in northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia, and summarizes current understandings of pastoral diversification while pointing to additional empirical research needs. 

Year of publication: 2002
Organization: Auteurs individuels 
Topic: Résilience
Language: English
Type of document: Technique
Geographical coverage: Afrique orientale

The one-humped camel, or dromedary, is one of the world’s hardiest domesticated animals. This manual is the first practical guide to camel diseases designed for use in low technology environments. It details some 80 major camel diseases and conditions, ranging from abortions to wry neck syndrome. For each disease, the authors give the disease signs, its causes, and simple prevention and treatment methods. Both scientific and tried and tested traditional treatments are presented, thus enabling the veterinarian or livestock practitioner to make the most appropriate choice in the prevailing circumstances. A section on procedures explains how to examine a camel, take samples for laboratory analysis and apply various types of medicines.

Year of publication: 2001
Organization: Auteurs individuels 
Topic: Les savoirs autochtones
Language: English
Type of document: Technique
Geographical coverage: Proche-Orient, Afrique du Nord, Afrique occidentale, Afrique orientale, Asie du Sud

This book gives an overview of many topics concerning pastoralism, including pastoral systems; animal breeding, health and nutrition; pastoral products and marketing; rangelands and biodiversity; pastoral families and communities; and livelihoods and policies. Pastoralists make substantial contributions to the economies of developing countries, in terms both of supporting their own households and of supplying meat and milk to villages and towns. Many governments rarely respond to the contributions made by pastoralism and do not invest in this sector. Only a major policy reorientation can protect and support pastoralism during the next millennium. Some of the elements that are likely to become important include developing niche products; better crop-livestock integration; co-conservation of pastoral production and wild fauna; and ecologically sensitive low-volume tourism.

Year of publication: 2001
Organization: Organisation des Nations Unies pour l'alimentation et l'agriculture (FAO) 
Topic: Économie, Sécurité alimentaire, Participation
Language: English
Type of document: Technique
Geographical coverage: Global

This source provides profiles of pasture and/or forage resources for a number of countries. Each profile provides a broad overview of relevant general, topographical, climatic and agro-ecological information with focus on livestock production systems and the pasture /forage resource and information concerning key institutions and personnel and their current research interests and selected references. 

Year of publication: 2000
Organization: Organisation des Nations Unies pour l'alimentation et l'agriculture (FAO) 
Topic: Économie
Language: English, Français, Español
Type of document: Bases de données
Geographical coverage: Global

L’appui que les organismes extérieurs fournissent au secteur de l’élevage dans les régions semi-arides met de plus en plus l’accent sur la constitution de groupes de pasteurs afin de leur permettre d’avoir plus facilement accès aux services d’appui, et spécialement aux services vétérinaires, ainsi que d’améliorer la gestion des parcours et des ressources en eau, qui constituent la base de l’activité pastorale. Bien que plusieurs de ces projets aient été réalisés dans le nord et l’ouest de l’Afrique, rares sont ceux dont l’exécution et les résultats ont été évalués. Une récente étude consacrée par le Département de l’évaluation des opérations à l’un de ces projets — le Deuxième projet de promotion de l’élevage en Mauritanie — a dégagé un certain nombre d’enseignements qui pourront être exploités pour améliorer les résultats des futurs efforts d’aide aux pasteurs.

Year of publication: 1999
Organization: Banque mondiale 
Topic: Économie, Organisation
Language: Français
Type of document: Technique
Geographical coverage: Afrique occidentale