West African landscape illustrating sustainable grazing and climate change adaptation

Sustainable Grazing: How West African Farmers are Adapting to Climate Change

Beau Callahan in Climate & Environment June 2025 • 4 min read.

"Discover the traditional knowledge and innovative strategies used by local agro-pastoralists to ensure livestock health and forage sustainability in the face of increasing environmental challenges."

Across West Africa, rural communities face a dual challenge: increasing water scarcity and limited natural forage to feed their livestock. This scarcity threatens not only livestock health but also the livelihoods of families who depend on them. The good news is that local agro-pastoralists aren't just standing by; they're actively employing generations of traditional knowledge and innovative strategies to adapt. Understanding these methods is crucial for building resilience in the face of climate change.

For centuries, these communities have developed intricate social-ecological systems centered around the daily utilization of available forage resources. Cattle, goats, and sheep form the backbone of these systems, relying on carefully managed local plants for sustenance. While the reliance on local knowledge is evident, a comprehensive, documented understanding of forage-related valuation criteria has been missing, making it difficult to scale and support these effective practices.

A groundbreaking study has now shed light on this critical area. Researchers delved into the practices of Dagbani, Gurunsi, and Mossi ethnic groups across Ghana and Burkina Faso, examining the types of forage resources used, the specific criteria used to value these resources, and the impacts of both socio-demographic factors and climate aridity on local valuation practices. The findings offer valuable insights into how these communities are not just surviving, but thriving, in a changing environment.

What Forage is Crucial, and When?

West African landscape illustrating sustainable grazing and climate change adaptation

The research highlights a nuanced understanding of forage preferences that varies by season and livestock type. The majority (73%) of agro-pastoralists consider herbaceous forage plants—grasses and forbs—most palatable for cattle during the rainy season. This makes sense, as these plants are fresher, more nutritious, and easier to digest during their early growth stages.

However, priorities shift dramatically in the dry season. Approximately 57% of local agro-pastoralists favor crops and 33% favor woody vegetation. These become essential supplements when herbaceous options dwindle. This adaptability shows a keen awareness of resource availability and animal needs.

Cattle: Herbaceous forage (grasses and forbs) in the rainy season.
Goats & Sheep: Crop-related forage plants (residues) and woody vegetation (leaves, shrubs) in the dry season.

The study also underscores the importance of specific plants. Pennisetum pedicellatum was identified as the most valuable herbaceous species, particularly during the rainy season. In the dry season, Arachis hypogaea emerged as a critical resource. This detailed understanding allows farmers to target their efforts and maximize the benefits from available forage.

Why This Matters: Implications for the Future

This research provides a compelling case for the importance of local ecological knowledge in natural resource management. By understanding and supporting the strategies developed by West African agro-pastoralists, we can foster more resilient and sustainable food systems. As climate change continues to impact these vulnerable regions, these insights offer a pathway towards ensuring both environmental health and community well-being. Further investigations are needed to confirm the findings and to check for climate impact on citations.

About this Article -

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Everything You Need To Know

How are farmers in West Africa dealing with climate change?

Agro-pastoralists in West Africa are adapting to climate change by using traditional knowledge and innovative strategies to ensure livestock health and forage sustainability. They have developed intricate social-ecological systems centered around the daily utilization of available forage resources. They are also using specific types of forage, like herbaceous forage in the rainy season and crop residues in the dry season, to feed their livestock. Understanding these methods is crucial for building resilience in the face of climate change.

Why is local ecological knowledge important?

Local ecological knowledge is very important in natural resource management because it allows communities to adapt to changing environmental conditions and ensure the sustainability of their livelihoods. This knowledge includes understanding the types of forage resources available, the specific criteria used to value these resources, and the impacts of climate aridity on local valuation practices. By understanding and supporting the strategies developed by West African agro-pastoralists, we can foster more resilient and sustainable food systems. The study underscores the importance of specific plants. Pennisetum pedicellatum was identified as the most valuable herbaceous species, particularly during the rainy season. In the dry season, Arachis hypogaea emerged as a critical resource.

What types of forage do livestock eat in different seasons?

The preferred types of forage for livestock change depending on the season. During the rainy season, cattle prefer herbaceous forage like grasses and forbs because they are fresher and more nutritious. However, during the dry season, when herbaceous options are scarce, livestock rely on crops and woody vegetation. For example, Pennisetum pedicellatum is favored in the rainy season, while Arachis hypogaea is crucial in the dry season. This is because they have a keen awareness of resource availability and animal needs.

How are the Dagbani, Gurunsi, and Mossi ethnic groups adapting?

The Dagbani, Gurunsi, and Mossi ethnic groups in Ghana and Burkina Faso have developed unique strategies for adapting to climate change and maintaining livestock health. These strategies include using different types of forage depending on the season, such as herbaceous forage in the rainy season and crop residues in the dry season. They also consider socio-demographic factors and climate aridity when valuing forage resources. Other groups may have similar or different ethnoecological approaches depending on their specific environmental and social contexts.

Why is understanding forage-related valuation important?

Understanding forage-related valuation criteria helps to scale and support effective practices by providing a comprehensive, documented understanding of how communities value forage resources. This understanding can be used to develop targeted interventions and policies that support sustainable grazing practices and improve livestock health. Also understanding what makes Pennisetum pedicellatum and Arachis hypogaea as valuable resources to target efforts and maximize the benefits from available forage.