On February 23, 2026, CIRAD and the French Development Agency (AFD) organized a conference-debate on the role of pastoralism in food system transition. Bernard Bonnet from Iram moderated one of the conference sessions, which was dedicated to various advocacy initiatives and support mechanisms for the agro-pastoral sector.
Pastoralism affects nearly 500 million people worldwide and occupies approximately half of the Earth's land surface, primarily in areas where agricultural alternatives are limited. It constitutes a vital pillar of food security, sustainable land management, and resilience in the face of climate change.
With the United Nations having proclaimed 2026 the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists, and coinciding with the International Agricultural Show, CIRAD and the French Development Agency organized a conference-debate on February 23, 2026, regarding the role of pastoralism in food system transitions. Bernard Bonnet (Iram) moderated a session dedicated to advocacy initiatives and support mechanisms for the agro-pastoral sector, aimed at strengthening its recognition and ensuring its long-term viability. It provided stimulating insights into the respective contributions of policy processes, research, civil society, and international donors regarding pastoralism’s role in the transition toward sustainable food systems.
This roundtable discussion featured contributions from Abdoulaye Mohamadou (Executive Secretary of the Permanent Interstate Committee for Drought Control in the Sahel – CILSS), Habibou Assouma (UMR-Selmet / CIRAD), Hindatou Amadou (Coordinator of the platform supporting local milk promotion in West Africa and the Sahel; Advocacy and Gender Officer at APESS), Emmanuel Marchant (Danone Ecosystem / Danone Africa), and Anne Mottet (IFAD).
Watch the conference replay.