While there has been much discussion of the importance
of innovation in African agriculture, remarkably little
has focused on mobile pastoral systems. Everyone agrees
that science, technology and innovation must be at the
centre of economic growth, livelihood improvement and
development more broadly. But it must always be asked:
what innovation – and for whom? Decisions about direction,
diversity and distribution are key in any discussion
of innovation options and wider development
pathways.

In March 2009 over 50 pastoralists from across
southern Ethiopia and northern Kenya from a dozen
ethnic groups gathered in the Borana lowlands at the
‘University of the Bush’ to debate key pastoral development
issues.