Livestock, Climate & Systems Resilience

Building climate-resilient livestock systems and sustainable land-use through community-led planning in rural Tanzania.

Programme Metrics & Status

1

ILRI–KINNAPA Partnership

3

Village Clusters — JVLUP

6+

Land Use Planning Processes

15+

Multi-Stakeholder Sessions

About the Initiative

Livestock, Climate & Systems Resilience

The Livestock Climate and Systems Resilience Initiative is implemented in Tanzania by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) in partnership with KINNAPA, a local NGO based in Kiteto District.

Our mission is to strengthen the resilience of local livestock systems and promote sustainable climate-smart agriculture — empowering pastoralist communities to adapt to changing environments while safeguarding shared natural resources.

Livestock and Climate Resilience in Tanzania
Joint Village Land Use Planning

A Community-Led Approach to Shared Resources

The centrepiece of this initiative is Joint Village Land Use Planning (JVLUP) — a process where neighbouring villages collectively define boundaries, allocate grazing lands, protect water points, and plan livestock corridors.

JVLUP brings structured, community-endorsed agreements that reduce conflict, protect forests, and ensure critical natural resources are managed sustainably across village boundaries.

Community Land Use Planning

What JVLUP Secures

🗺️ Shared Grazing Areas

Communal grazing lands spanning multiple village boundaries are secured through collective land-use agreements.

💧 Water & Livestock Routes

Communities jointly allocate water points, livestock corridors, and forest reserves for sustainable access.

🤝 Peaceful Coexistence

Clear, community-endorsed boundaries and resource-sharing frameworks promote harmony across villages.

🌿 Environmental Protection

Community-led stewardship ensures critical natural resources are preserved for future generations.

Implementation Framework

Key Activities & Approaches

👥

Community Mobilisation

Engaging villages in multi-stakeholder planning forums to build shared ownership over land and livestock decisions.

🗺️

Participatory Mapping

Community-led mapping processes define resource boundaries and capture traditional land-use knowledge.

🎓

Capacity Building

Training local leaders and pastoralist groups for sustainable, long-term grazing and resource management.

⚖️

Conflict Prevention

Structured inter-village agreements reduce disputes over grazing areas, water points, and livestock routes.

🌡️

Climate Adaptation

Building community knowledge and plans to respond to climate variability and environmental shocks.

📣

Policy Engagement

Advocating for pastoralist land rights and sustainable livestock governance at district and national levels.

Community land planning session Livestock management in Kiteto
Our Approach

How We Create Lasting Change

The initiative operates through collaborative, community-led processes that prioritise local ownership. Communities themselves drive the decisions that shape their lands, herds, and futures.

  • Joint village land use planning across shared boundaries
  • Participatory resource mapping with local knowledge systems
  • Capacity building for sustainable grazing management
  • Community-led conflict prevention and resolution
  • Climate adaptation planning for pastoralist households
  • Multi-stakeholder engagement with government and local leaders
Community-led livestock planning
🛡️
Shared Resource Security

Formalising inter-village agreements to give communities lasting protection over grazing areas and water sources.

🌱
Traditional & Modern Knowledge

Integrating pastoralist knowledge systems with modern land governance frameworks suited to local realities.

📐
Systems Thinking

Addressing livestock, land, climate, and community cohesion as an interconnected system — not isolated issues.

🤝
ILRI Partnership

Combining ILRI's global livestock research expertise with KINNAPA's deep local presence in Kiteto District.

Impact & Results

Key Outcomes of the Initiative

Improved
Livestock Productivity
Better grazing management leads to improved productivity and profitability for pastoralist households.
Stronger
Climate Resilience
Enhanced community capacity to adapt to climate variability and withstand environmental shocks.
Better
Resource Management
Community-driven planning processes ensure equitable stewardship of natural resources.
Reduced
Inter-Village Conflict
Clear land-use boundaries and agreements are reducing disputes across Kiteto District.
Implementing Partners

Our Partners

KINNAPA's Livestock, Climate and Systems Resilience work is made possible through strategic collaboration with research institutions and local government.

ILRI

International Livestock Research Institute

Lead Research Partner

KINNAPA

Kiteto District, Tanzania

Local Implementation Partner

Kiteto District Council

Manyara Region, Tanzania

Government Partner
Empowering Communities: Through the KINNAPA–ILRI partnership, we empower local communities to make informed decisions about their shared resources — ensuring sustainable livestock production and environmental protection for a resilient future. Every secured grazing area, every inter-village agreement, every trained pastoralist household represents hope for Tanzania's rural communities.