Category: Publications

Bimonthly bulletin on pastoral monitoring in the Sahel, February-March 2026

The suspension of cross-border transhumance between Mauritania and Mali is due to ongoing security concerns.
High concentrations of livestock in monitored pastoral areas
Sufficient availability of pastoral resources in the monitoring sites, despite recurring bushfires
Increase in livestock prices, particularly for small ruminants
The overall body condition of the livestock was satisfactory despite suspected cases of vitamin deficiencies, sheep pox, and peste des petits ruminants (PPR).
Goat/sorghum farming practices are beneficial to agropastoral households in Guidimakha and Hodh Gharbi
TDEs are unfavorable in Brakna and Gorgol, while they are considered balanced in Assaba and Hodh Chargui.
The continued arrival of refugees with livestock in Hodh Chargui is increasing the pressure on local resources and services.

Gradual decline in pastoral resources (pasture and water)
The overall body condition of small ruminants is good, but that of large ruminants is declining.
Animal diseases reported (foot-and-mouth disease, diarrhea, avian influenza)
Functional markets but virtually no pastoral support
Terms of trade are broadly balanced
Livestock feed shortages in some areas
Deteriorating security situation in Bounkani

Gradual decline in pastoral resources, but still sufficient
Pastoral mobility and localized concentrations of livestock in the north of the country
Fall in cereal prices
Livestock price increase
Large areas burned
Limited cattle rustling, conflict and insecurity during the period
Unfavorable terms of trade for livestock farmers

Overall satisfactory availability of pastoral resources (pasture and water) in the country’s agropastoral zones
Decrease in bushfires
Appreciable body condition of the livestock
Slight increase in animal prices, particularly for goats
Slight increase in cereal prices,
The terms of the male goat-cereal exchange are generally favorable to farmers.
Slight deterioration in the security situation: increase in cases of cattle theft and armed incidents

Deterioration of vegetation cover in the country, with bare soils localized in the north and center of the country
Open and accessible markets across all sentinel sites
A decrease in cattle thefts was observed during the period.
Terms of trade favorable to livestock farmers at the majority of monitoring sites
Low support for the pastoral sector reported
Bushfires persist nationwide, with areas affected exceeding normal levels.

Rapid degradation of forage resources
Animals are overweight, mediocre in size, and the health situation is worrying in some areas.
Recurring bushfires
Significant transhumance flows from Mauritania and Mali
High cereal prices
Livestock prices are falling and the terms of trade are unfavorable for ranchers.
Support for the pastoral sector deemed insufficient and too localized

Pastoral resources: generally satisfactory availability of pasture and water thanks to a good rainy season
Pastoral mobility: significant concentrations of herds in Tchologo (Ferkessédougou, Kong), early departures in Bounkani due to security pressures
Security context: The situation is mixed, more fragile in Bounkani, with tensions linked to cross-border flows and threats
Markets: functional but with little direct support for the pastoral sector
Terms of the trade: generally favorable to the farmers