The Concept of the viable herd
Pastoral systems are based largely on risk-aversion strategies (Dyson-Hudson and Dyson-Hudson, 1970). Whether the uncertainties are natural or man-made, the primary goal of the majority of herders is to secure a minimum number of animals (the viable or maximum possible herd) capable of recovery and reconstitution following normal, medium or severe drought (in the tropics) or winters in the high altitude pastures of Central Asia (e.g. Dzud in Mongolia). Under traditional systems, strategies such as species diversification, stratification or stock lending (Grandin, 1987) have been capable of keeping a majority of the herders in a position where they could return to herding even after severe drought (Ellis, 1995). However, with the progressive influence of external factors (such as road, health and water infrastructure development, macroeconomic and price policies, trade and tariff regulations), such strategies have become of limited significance (Dyson-Hydson, 1972).2
Because stock reconstitution depends on the size and diversity of a single herd or flock, attempts have been made to estimate viable herds and to determine a threshold for selecting the herders suited for herd reconstitution support (e.g. IFAD in the Central African Republic, 1994, and Mongolia, 1995). However, on further analysis and discussion with the herders, a considerable range of variation has been found that is influenced by the availability of animal health services, feed reserves, size of household, age of herders, literacy, proximity to townships and markets, etc. Also, the experience of several NGOs in a large number of restocking projects in Africa (Oxby, 1994) has indicated differences between animal species and herd and flock size in relation to the size of households, kinship, or small-community members.
Whereas one or two cows have been found to be sufficient for households in Indonesia, this number is not attractive to most herders in Laos. In the Central African Republic, 50 head of cattle (or 8 to 10 per person) is considered as the minimum sustainable number. In Mongolia, household surveys have indicated a considerable range of variation and lack of consensus among herders as to what represents a minimum viable herd. Accordingly, a scheme of restocking is being arranged for this project, which aims at providing between 3 and 20 bods.3 On the other hand, the estimation of the number of animals owned by a family unit may not achieve any purpose among the extended nomadic families of the Tuareg, Baggara, or Fulbe in Africa. Therefore, the success of a restocking programme will depend on the level of understanding of the special social and economic environment and the needs of each herding community. Such an effort should not be compromised even if obtaining the necessary information may cause considerable delay in restocking, project design, or implementation.
2/ "Pastoral populations are no longer allowed to adjust naturally to phenomena such as drought or to expand in traditional territorial sense through force. They are increasingly being brought into the mainstream of development by forces beyond their control, and into situations where traditional pastoral strategies may become less efficient, and less useful to pursue."
3/ A bod is equivalent to 1 horse/cattle, or 7 sheep, or 10 goats.
