News

• The recognition by the “Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations” (FAO) of the pastoral system highlights key ecosystems for sustainability and rural livelihoods
• This initiative aims to strengthen policies, knowledge and investment in resilient pastoral systems

Each year, the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) , the United Nations specialized agency for agriculture, food, and rural development , promotes and coordinates international initiatives aimed at highlighting strategic challenges related to the agricultural sector and rural areas. These designations seek to raise awareness, guide public policy, and mobilize diverse stakeholders around key issues for global sustainability.

In this context, the FAO has determined that 2026 will be the International Year of Grasslands and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026) , an initiative that focuses on the economic, environmental and social importance of grasslands and the pastoral communities that manage them, and that underlines their contribution to food security, biodiversity and resilience to climate change.

Pastures and shepherds

Grasslands cover approximately half of the Earth's land surface and are present in a wide variety of ecosystems: from savannas and steppes to mountainous areas, wetlands, and semi-arid regions. Far from being marginal spaces, they play essential roles in ecological balance and human well-being.

Among his main contributions are:

• Conservation of biodiversity adapted to extreme climatic conditions.

• Carbon storage and regulation of water cycles .

• Supporting the livelihoods of people linked to shepherding .

• Preservation of cultural landscapes shaped by centuries of interaction between people, animals and territory.

Shepherds manage these spaces through extensive grazing systems and, in many cases, transhumance, which allow them to adapt the use of the territory to the actual availability of resources and maintain the functionality of the ecosystems.

Challenges

Despite their importance, grasslands are among the most neglected and pressured ecosystems. The IYRP 2026 highlights a series of challenges that threaten both their conservation and the future of pastoral communities. Key challenges include:

1. Land degradation and desertification , intensified by climate change.

2. Competition for land use and limitations on livestock mobility .

3. Lack of institutional recognition of the value of extensive grazing.

4. Difficulties in accessing basic services and risks to generational renewal .

Although grasslands concentrate a significant portion of the world's soil organic carbon, a relevant proportion of these ecosystems show varying degrees of degradation, reinforcing the need for preventive and restorative action.

IYRP 2026 Objectives

The IYRP 2026 goes beyond a symbolic commemoration and is intended as a tool to drive structural changes in how policies related to territory and agri-food systems are designed. Its main objectives include:

1. Increase public awareness of the social, environmental and cultural value of grasslands.

2. Promote knowledge of pastoral activity , innovation and the exchange of knowledge.

3. Promote evidence-based policies and regulatory frameworks .

4. Promote ethical and responsible investment in extensive livestock farming and sustainable management.

Throughout 2026, monthly themes, awareness-raising activities, and dialogue spaces will be developed to share experiences and solutions adapted to different territorial contexts.

Agenda

As the lead institution for the IYRP 2026, FAO will coordinate efforts globally, working with governments, organizations, and communities to strengthen rangeland governance and support those who manage them. This work builds on frameworks, guidelines, and knowledge platforms that the organization has been developing for years. The IYRP 2026 is also aligned with other key international agendas such as:

• The Decade of Family Farming (2019-2028)

• The United Nations Decade on Ecosystem Restoration (2020-2030)

• The Sustainable Development Goals of the 2030 Agenda , especially those related to climate action, biodiversity and social action.

This alignment reinforces the commitment to extensive, locally adapted, and socially sustainable production models. Placing pastures and shepherds at the heart of the international debate ultimately means moving towards a future where resilience, knowledge, and territory go hand in hand.