SPARC publications by country

Ghafoori, I., Behzad, K., Mukhlis, S., et al. (2023) Findings from field studies of post-harvest storage and processing in Afghanistan. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/XNWU7501).

This report, produced by SPARC and the Afghanistan Research and Evaluation Unit Organisation (AREUO), draws on interviews with farming households in rural Afghanistan to highlight how improving post-harvest storage and processing, especially for perishable crops, can strengthen food security and support women’s roles in food systems.

Levine, S. and Pain, A. (2024) Ten traps to avoid if aid programming is serious about engaging with context: lessons from Afghanistan. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/PYKC8521).            

This report looks at two decades of development and investment in Afghanistan (2001–2021) to identify 10 common traps that undermine aid effectiveness in fragile settings more generally. It is accompanied by five policy briefs assessing the effectiveness of external investment in Afghanistan’s: village-level governance structures, informal credit, rural differentiation, markets, and post-harvest storage and processing. (See five briefs by Pain and Levine, 2024.)

Pain, A. and Levine, S. (2024) What does it mean to take context seriously for rural differentiation? Lessons from Afghanistan. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/IZDZ9676).

This policy brief examines how a one-size-fits-all approach to agricultural development in Afghanistan from 2001–2021 overlooked the diversity of rural economies and households, limiting the effectiveness and equity of aid investments. It is part of a series arguing that aid efforts in the country missed opportunities for more effective, context-aware interventions. (See Levine and Pain, 2024, above.)

Pain, A. and Levine, S. (2024) What does it mean to take context seriously for credit and microfinance? Lessons from informal credit in Afghanistan. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/VGEF9319).            

This policy brief examines the role of informal credit in Afghanistan’s rural economy between 2000 and 2021. It is part of a series arguing that aid efforts in the country missed opportunities for more effective, context-aware interventions. 

Pain, A. and Levine, S. (2024) What does it mean to take context seriously for engaging in markets? Lessons from Afghanistan. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/HKLE2012).            

This policy brief argues that aid to Afghanistan from 2001–2021 relied on flawed assumptions about how markets functioned, leading to missed opportunities for more grounded and effective economic interventions. It is part of a series arguing that aid efforts in the country missed opportunities for more effective, context-aware interventions. 

Pain, A. and Levine, S. (2024) What does it mean to take context seriously for post-harvest processing and storage? Lessons from Afghanistan. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/AJDK4607).            

This policy brief highlights how aid to Afghanistan between 2001–2021 overlooked support for food processing and post-harvest storage. It is part of a series arguing that aid efforts in the country missed opportunities for more effective, context-aware interventions. 

Pain, A. and Levine, S. (2024) What does it mean to take context seriously for village-level governance? Lessons from community development councils in Afghanistan. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/GLSF9256).

This policy brief reflects on the limited impact of community development councils in Afghanistan from 2001–2021. It is part of a series arguing that aid efforts in the country missed opportunities for more effective, context-aware interventions. 

Flintan, F., Nassef, M., Suleiman, H., et al. (2025) Influencing global collective land tenure indicators: case studies from Burkina Faso, Kenya and Sudan. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/ZDQC5326).

This report consolidates the findings of a three-country study to understand perspectives of tenure security amongst pastoralist communities. The findings lead to recommended indicators that can be used to measure perceived tenure security in global indicator frameworks such as Prindex

Nassef, M., Otieno, K., Sulieman, H.M, et al. (2024) Understanding and characterising collective tenure and tenure security in pastoral systems: consolidation of case studies in Kenya, Sudan and Burkina Faso. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/XEEC3412).            

This report explores pastoral land tenure insecurity in Burkina Faso, Kenya and Sudan, finding that lack of formal recognition heightens conflict risks as land competition intensifies, and argues for formalising communal rights to strengthen legitimacy and protection.

Sawadogo, I., Illy, E.K., Ly, B., et al. (2024) Characterising collective tenure security in pastoral systems in Burkina Faso. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/WWVB2015).

This report reviews land tenure for pastoralism and its governance in southern Burkina Faso, and outlines steps that can be taken to safeguard pastoralists’ tenure. 

Simonet, C. and Carabine, E. (2021) Stabilising the Sahel: livestock as a driver of regional integration. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/GYQR5038).  

This policy brief outlines how strengthening livestock markets in the Sahel can enhance resilience to climate and conflict shocks, supporting livelihoods, food security and regional integration in countries like Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. 

Benoudji, C., Bolmbang, M.I. and Levine, S. (2025) What happened when resilience-building projects closed: stories of change from Chad. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/ZQKQ6451).           

This report evaluates the long-term success of a climate-smart agriculture project at building resilience five years after it ended in eastern Chad.

Laville, C., Benoudji, C., Barsham, H., et al. (2024) Readiness to access climate finance in Chad. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/IMZO1499).   

This report assesses and identifies barriers and gaps that need to be addressed for Chad to be able to receive and effectively use climate finance. 

Laville, C., Tahir, A.H., Bambe, B.W.B., et al. (2025) Women, land and resilience: a study of refugee communities in Eastern Chad. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/FBLK58650).          

This report assesses whether land access can serve as a driver of resilience for refugee communities, particularly for women-led households, which form a significant portion of the Sudanese refugee population in Eastern Chad. 

Alulu, V.H., Shikuku, K.M., Lepariyo, W., et al. (2024) ‘The impact of forage condition on household food security in northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia’, Journal of Food Security, 16:1265–1289 (https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-024-01473-w).        

This journal article looks at how forage conditions affect household food security in northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia. The authors show that better forage significantly reduces food insecurity through improved livestock productivity and market stability.

Ba, B. and Borah, D. (2025) Peacebuilding in pastoral areas through natural resource management: integration of “local conventions” in Mali and participatory rangeland management in Ethiopia. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/NHCA6635).          

Conflicts linked to natural resources and their management are increasing. This report presents the experience of two interventions that are showing promise in building peace in pastoral areas of Ethiopia and Mali, and implications for future natural resource management interventions.

Balfour, N., Wachira, J., Taye, M. and Levine, S. (2025) Do new permanent water supplies in the drylands help build resilience? The impacts of new boreholes on coping with drought in Ethiopia and Kenya. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/UQJM3428).           

New permanent water supplies are regularly assumed to bring resilience to people living in drylands, but SPARC research shows that the picture is much more complicated. This report looks at how water projects should be developed so they build resilience instead of exacerbating conflict, disturbing livestock systems, marginalising communities, enabling corruption and asset grabbing, or failing to provide safe drinking water.

Balfour, N., Wachira, J., Taye, M., et al. (2025) The inconvenient truths of water development in the drylands of the Horn of Africa. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/OPGY6938).           

This policy brief examines the risks and impacts of permanent water supplies in the drylands of Ethiopia and Kenya, finding that poorly planned investments can disrupt grazing, settlement and resource access if not grounded in evidence.

Bedelian, C. and Levine, S. (2025) Transforming pastoral livelihoods through market interventions: does the impact match expectations? Lessons from a decade of investments in Somali Region, Ethiopia. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/NVBB2943).           

The report looks at general lessons about the development model and theory of change, and its appropriateness for pastoral economies, based on an internal impact assessment of market-based development programmes implemented over the past decade and more in Somali Regional State in Ethiopia.

Cullis, A. and Bogale, S. (2024) Aligned climate drivers and potential impacts on food security in Ethiopia in 2024. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/AJDK4607).          

The report warns that aligned climate anomalies in 2024 threaten both droughts in northern and central Ethiopia and floods in the south, with serious risks to food security unless proactive planning measures are put in place.

Flintan F., Anbacha, A., Ebro, A., et al. (2025) Food aid, sharing and resilience: the role of collectivity and connectivity in drought-affected pastoralist systems in Ethiopia. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/LFOE7507).   

This policy brief summarises the core findings of a study on the sharing of food aid and other types of aid as a coping strategy across two consecutive droughts in pastoral areas of Ethiopia. Communities were heavily dependent on food aid to help them through the drought period, not only in directly supplementing diet, but also as something to share by communities reliant on local social networks and reciprocal support systems.

Hakiman, K., and Stull-Lane, C. (2023) Unravelling the knot: addressing wicked problems through stakeholder engagement. Issue brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/WKLZ4535).           

This issue brief examines the application of the SHARED framework across sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting conditions for its success and key limitations.

Jaquez, C., Kabede, Y. and Mbaya, E. (2025) What is the political economy for private sector investment into anticipatory action? Ethiopia. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/XSBS3874).            

This policy brief analyses the incentives and disincentives for public, private and international stakeholders investing in drought risk management and mitigation in Ethiopia.

Kamel, N., Buluma, C. and Foelster, J. (2025) Behavioural and norms-responsive animal health systems for pastoralists in Ethiopia and Kenya. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/NFXO8733).

This policy brief, produced in partnership with MarketShare Associates, examines gender-inclusive animal health service delivery in pastoral communities in Ethiopia and Kenya. The brief highlights how social and gender dynamics limit access, and proposes community-based and gender-responsive approaches to strengthen animal health services systems.

Kamusiime, M., Njoroge, G. and Krishnan, V. (2025) Business model innovation for behaviour change in Ethiopia’s goat value chain through a market systems approach. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/HKMX3944).  

This policy brief examines how behaviour change in Ethiopia’s goat value chain was achieved through trust-based, market systems facilitation under the Resilience in Pastoral Areas (RiPA) programme. It calls on policy-makers and donors to invest in embedded actors, decentralised market access and scalable peer learning models to sustain inclusive, climate-resilient livestock trade.

Levine, S., Ludi, E., McCord, A., et al. (2024) Do public works programmes create valuable assets for livelihoods and resilience? A retrospective study of the impacts of assets for natural resource management in Ethiopia and Kenya. Technical report. London: SPARC (https://doi.org/10.61755/JJLO5353). 

This report assesses the impact of two finished public works programmes – for soil and water conservation in North Wollo, Ethiopia, and for earth dams in Moyale County, Kenya – on long-term livelihoods and local resilience, and offers lessons for future programmes.

Mayhew, L., Levine, S., Akoi, A.D., et al. (2025) Dynamic livelihoods in conflict and recurrent crises: stories of change from Ethiopia and South Sudan. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/OSWO5255).         

This report looks at change within people’s livelihoods, the conditions that allow change to occur and spread, and the barriers that prevent change from spreading to other people and places in contexts of conflict and recurrent crises.

Robinson, L. and Flintan, F. (2022) ‘Can formalisation of pastoral land tenure overcome its paradoxes? Reflections from East Africa’, Pastoralism, 12: 34 (https://doi.org/10.1186/s13570-022-00250-8).              

This journal article examines legal frameworks for communal land rights in Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania. It argues that effective tenure reform must recognise overlapping rights and pastoral mobility – rather than imposing rigid, territorially bounded models ill-suited to rangeland systems.

Said, M., Eba, B., Getahun, Y., et al. (2025) Status of mobility of livestock in Ethiopia: mapping of livestock routes and case studies on mobility blockages. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/RAHP5140).           

This policy brief supports the above technical report by Said et al. (2025), with a focus on Ethiopia.

Said, M., Eba, B., Nganga, I., et al. (2025) Status of mobility of livestock in Kenya and Ethiopia: mapping of livestock routes and case studies on mobility blockages. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/MXQK8140).  

This report contributes to the implementation of IGAD’s Protocol on Transhumance aiming to facilitate national and cross-border movement of livestock across the IGAD region. The report includes country maps of livestock routes produced through a national consultative process, supported by case studies on how and why routes are being blocked and the implications of this.

Shikuku, K., Alulu, V., Lepariyo, W. et al. (2024) Crowdsourcing data can help monitor drought impacts on food security. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/EZBE7664).            

This policy brief highlights how crowdsourced data from the KAZNET platform was used to track drought-related food insecurity in Ethiopia and Kenya, offering insights to improve early warning systems and guide resilience-focused policy responses.

Shikuku, K.M., Banerjee, R., Lepariyo, W., et al. (2025) Supporting pastoralists’ resilience through real-time monitoring of drought in Kenya and Ethiopia: final technical project report of the Drought Index-insurance for Resilience in the Sahel and Horn of Africa (DIRISHA) project. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/GTOI29540).          

This report documents the implementation and achievements of the Drought Index-insurance for Resilience in the Sahel and Horn of Africa (DIRISHA) project. It documents the project’s impacts on pastoralists’ welfare, discusses the role of partnerships, and provides lessons and recommendations for policy and future research in the use of citizen science and crowdsourcing techniques to support resilience in fragile and conflict-affected settings.

Turnbull, S. and Harrison, C. (2024) Shepherd’s eye in the sky: the potential for AfriScout digital grazing maps to improve pastoralists’ grazing and migration decisions. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/SAZT9558).    

This report introduces AfriScout, a mobile app that uses satellite imagery to provide pastoralists with near real-time data on rangeland conditions, helping them to make better-informed decisions in challenging environments.

Agol, D. (2025) Does resilience-building last when projects end? Retrospective lessons from projects to support pastoralists in Turkana, Kenya. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/TDEG8680).           

This report examines the longer-term impact of development interventions on resilience in Turkana, Kenya, six years after the project ended.

Alulu, V.H., Shikuku, K.M., Lepariyo, W., et al. (2024) ‘The impact of forage condition on household food security in northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia’, Journal of Food Security, 16:1265–1289 (https://doi.org/10.1007/s12571-024-01473-w).        

This journal article looks at how forage conditions affect household food security in northern Kenya and southern Ethiopia. The authors show that better forage significantly reduces food insecurity through improved livestock productivity and market stability.

Balfour, N., Wachira, J., Taye, M. and Levine, S. (2025) Do new permanent water supplies in the drylands help build resilience? The impacts of new boreholes on coping with drought in Ethiopia and Kenya. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/UQJM3428).           

New permanent water supplies are regularly assumed to bring resilience to people living in drylands, but SPARC research shows that the picture is much more complicated. This report looks at how water projects should be developed so they build resilience instead of exacerbating conflict, disturbing livestock systems, marginalising communities, enabling corruption and asset grabbing, or failing to provide safe drinking water.

Balfour, N., Wachira, J., Taye, M., et al. (2025) The inconvenient truths of water development in the drylands of the Horn of Africa. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/OPGY6938).           

This policy brief examines the risks and impacts of permanent water supplies in the drylands of Ethiopia and Kenya, finding that poorly planned investments can disrupt grazing, settlement and resource access if not grounded in evidence.

Banerjee, R., Barry, B., Jaquez, C., et al. (2021) Financing livestock trade: formal and informal finance in Kenya, Mali and Somalia. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/QCFI8260).             

This report examines how livestock traders in Kenya, Mali and Somalia finance their operations, finding that despite the growth of mobile payments, most rely on personal savings and informal networks, with limited use of formal financial services.

Bedelian, C., Hakiman, K., Sheely, R., et al. (2023) Participatory planning in Kenya’s drylands: the Ward Development Planning model. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/QKNF4475).           

This policy brief outlines the Ward Development Planning model – a participatory planning approach focused on developing ward-level development plans in Kenya – and offers lessons and recommendations for scaling up participatory, locally grounded approaches to support resilience- focused development.

Chelanga P., Jensen N. and Muendo K.M. (2022) ‘Pastoral livestock market integration amidst improvements in physical and communication infrastructure: Evidence from northern Kenya’, African Journal of Agricultural and Resource Economics, 17: 4 (https://doi.org/10.53936/afjare.2022.17(4).22).       

This journal article uses high-frequency crowdsourced data to analyse pastoral market integration in Kenya, finding that smaller markets respond to price shifts in larger ones, with prices converging toward equilibrium over time.

Derbyshire S.F., Banerjee R., Mohamed, T.S., et al. (2024) ‘Uncertainty, pastoral knowledge and early warning: a review of drought management in the drylands, with insights from northern Kenya’, Pastoralism: Research, Policy, Practice, 14:13006 (https://doi.org/10.3389/past.2024.13006).  

This journal article examines the evolution of early warning systems in Kenya, highlighting tensions between formal drought management and pastoralist strategies, and makes the case for more flexible, locally grounded approaches to anticipatory action in drylands.

Flintan, F., Nassef, M., Suleiman, H., et al. (2025) Influencing global collective land tenure indicators: case studies from Burkina Faso, Kenya and Sudan. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/ZDQC5326).           

This report consolidates the findings of a three-country study to understand perspectives of tenure security amongst pastoralist communities. The findings lead to recommended indicators that can be used to measure perceived tenure security in global indicator frameworks such as Prindex

Hakiman, K. and Sheely, R. (2023) ‘Unlocking the potential of participatory planning: how flexible and adaptive governance interventions can work in practice’, Studies in Comparative International Development, 60:43–80 (https://doi.org/10.1007/s12116-023-09415-x).         

This journal article investigates a participatory planning intervention in northern Kenya, finding that its effectiveness depends on addressing real governance gaps, adapting to local contexts and recognising the influential role of front-line implementers in shaping outcomes.

Hakiman, K. and Sheely, R. (2024) Participatory planning in East Africa’s drylands, take two: from chasing an illusory panacea to practical learning. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/CHCH8960).          

This policy brief examines the Ward Development Planning model – a participatory planning approach focused on developing ward-level development plans in Kenya – between 2017 and 2022, using mixed methods to explore when and how participatory planning works, and why its impacts vary across local contexts.

Hakiman, K., and Stull-Lane, C. (2023) Unravelling the knot: addressing wicked problems through stakeholder engagement. Issue brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/WKLZ4535).           

This issue brief examines the application of the SHARED framework across sub-Saharan Africa, highlighting conditions for its success and key limitations.

Jaquez, C., Kabede, Y. and Mbaya, E. (2025) What is the political economy for private sector investment into anticipatory action? Kenya. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/HGEK1588).           

This policy brief analyses the incentives and disincentives for public, private and international stakeholders investing in drought risk management and mitigation in Kenya.

Kamel, N., Buluma, C. and Foelster, J. (2025) Behavioural and norms-responsive animal health systems for pastoralists in Ethiopia and Kenya. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/NFXO8733).           

This policy brief, produced in partnership with MarketShare Associates, examines gender-inclusive animal health service delivery in pastoral communities in Ethiopia and Kenya. The brief highlights how social and gender dynamics limit access, and proposes community-based and gender-responsive approaches to strengthen animal health services systems.

Lepariyo, W., Banerjee, R., Alulu, V., et al. (2022) Digital innovations for high-frequency ground truthing and monitoring of household welfare in pastoral communities. Brief. Nairobi, Kenya: ILRI (https://hdl.handle.net/10568/121918).        

This SPARC partner brief shares early findings and key lessons from using crowdsourcing methods to collect data on how climatic shocks affect pastoral systems and livelihoods.

Levine, S., Ludi, E., McCord, A., et al. (2024) Do public works programmes create valuable assets for livelihoods and resilience? A retrospective study of the impacts of assets for natural resource management in Ethiopia and Kenya. Technical report. London: SPARC (https://doi.org/10.61755/JJLO5353). 

This report assesses the impact of two finished public works programmes – for soil and water conservation in North Wollo, Ethiopia, and for earth dams in Moyale County, Kenya – on long-term livelihoods and local resilience, and offers lessons for future programmes.

Mansurmoe Development Consultants Limited (2024) Conflict Analysis in Kabarion Conservancy.Report. Montpelier, France: CGIAR System Organization (https://hdl.handle.net/10568/158391).              

This SPARC partner report provides a conflict assessment for Kabarion Conservancy in Baringo County, Kenya.

Nassef, M., Otieno, K., Sulieman, H.M, et al. (2024) Understanding and characterising collective tenure and tenure security in pastoral systems: consolidation of case studies in Kenya, Sudan and Burkina Faso. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/XEEC3412).            

This report explores pastoral land tenure insecurity in Burkina Faso, Kenya and Sudan, finding that lack of formal recognition heightens conflict risks as land competition intensifies, and argues for formalising communal rights to strengthen legitimacy and protection.

Otieno, K. (2024) A national land policy review in Kenya: rangelands and pastoralists’ perspective. Report. Nairobi, Kenya: ILRI (https://hdl.handle.net/10568/169194).        

This SPARC partner report about Kenya’s National Land Policy 2009 was undertaken on the request of the National Land Commission to inform strategic inputs to the policy review process.

Otieno, K. (2025) Rethinking land policy for Kenya’s pastoral communities: a path to sustainable development. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/SRJR3023).             

This policy brief reviews Kenya’s 2009 National Land Policy and its implications for pastoralists, recommending reforms to better protect collective rights, integrate indigenous practices, and involve pastoral communities in land use planning and governance. It was released to influence the government’s ongoing review of the National Land Policy.

Otieno, K., Lumumba, O., Odote, C., et al. (2024) Perceptions of land tenure security in pastoral areas in Marsabit, Kenya. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/UDOG9652).          

This report interviewed households in the community of Waldaa, in Marsabit County, Kenya, to deepen understanding of land tenure in pastoral lands under collective ownership.

Reid, E. (2024) Forecasts for pastoralists: increasing demand for weather forecasts to support adaptation in northern Kenya. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/AJIY2682). 

This policy brief explores the low demand for formal weather forecasts among pastoralists in northern Kenya, and how better coordination and communication can align forecasts with pastoralists’ information needs.

Robinson, L. and Flintan, F. (2022) ‘Can formalisation of pastoral land tenure overcome its paradoxes? Reflections from East Africa’, Pastoralism, 12: 34 (https://doi.org/10.1186/s13570-022-00250-8).              

This journal article examines legal frameworks for communal land rights in Ethiopia, Kenya and Tanzania. It argues that effective tenure reform must recognise overlapping rights and pastoral mobility – rather than imposing rigid, territorially bounded models ill-suited to rangeland systems.

Said, M., Eba, B., Nganga, I., et al. (2025) Status of mobility of livestock in Kenya and Ethiopia: mapping of livestock routes and case studies on mobility blockages. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/MXQK8140).  

This report contributes to the implementation of IGAD’s Protocol on Transhumance aiming to facilitate national and cross-border movement of livestock across the IGAD region. The report includes country maps of livestock routes produced through a national consultative process, supported by case studies on how and why routes are being blocked and the implications of this.

Said, M., Nganga, I., Getahun, Y., et al. (2025) Status of mobility of livestock in Kenya: mapping of livestock routes and case studies on mobility blockages. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/PGDC1259).          

This policy brief supports the above technical report by Said et al. (2025), with a focus on Kenya.

Shikuku, K., Alulu, V., Lepariyo, W. et al. (2024) Crowdsourcing data can help monitor drought impacts on food security. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/EZBE7664).            

This policy brief highlights how crowdsourced data from the KAZNET platform was used to track drought-related food insecurity in Ethiopia and Kenya, offering insights to improve early warning systems and guide resilience-focused policy responses.

Shikuku, K.M., Banerjee, R., Lepariyo, W., et al. (2025) Supporting pastoralists’ resilience through real-time monitoring of drought in Kenya and Ethiopia: final technical project report of the Drought Index-insurance for Resilience in the Sahel and Horn of Africa (DIRISHA) project. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/GTOI29540).          

This report documents the implementation and achievements of the Drought Index-insurance for Resilience in the Sahel and Horn of Africa (DIRISHA) project. It documents the project’s impacts on pastoralists’ welfare, discusses the role of partnerships, and provides lessons and recommendations for policy and future research in the use of citizen science and crowdsourcing techniques to support resilience in fragile and conflict-affected settings.

Turnbull, S. and Harrison, C. (2024) Shepherd’s eye in the sky: the potential for AfriScout digital grazing maps to improve pastoralists’ grazing and migration decisions. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/SAZT9558).    

This report introduces AfriScout, a mobile app that uses satellite imagery to provide pastoralists with near real-time data on rangeland conditions, helping them to make better-informed decisions in challenging environments.

Ba, B. (2023) Conflicts between farmers and livestock breeders in Mali: a review of dynamics and issues in the Mopti region. Report. Nairobi, Kenya: ILRI (https://hdl.handle.net/10568/135943).            

This SPARC partner report examines the drivers of farmer–herder conflict in Mali’s Niger Delta, identifying causes of unstable agropastoral systems and deepening social tensions in the Mopti region. 

Ba, B. (2024) Local conventions for natural resource management as tools for peacebuilding in central Mali. Case study. Mali: ILRI. (https://hdl.handle.net/10568/169266).        

This SPARC partner case study examines local conventions for natural resource management in Mali’s Inner Niger Delta, finding they help reduce farmer–herder conflict and support peacebuilding by improving land use coordination, resource governance, and conflict resolution mechanisms. 

Ba, B. and Borah, D. (2025) Peacebuilding in pastoral areas through natural resource management: integration of “local conventions” in Mali and participatory rangeland management in Ethiopia. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/NHCA6635).          

Conflicts linked to natural resources and their management are increasing. This report presents the experience of two interventions that are showing promise in building peace in pastoral areas of Ethiopia and Mali, and implications for future natural resource management interventions.

Banerjee, R., Barry, B., Jaquez, C., et al. (2021) Financing livestock trade: formal and informal finance in Kenya, Mali and Somalia. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/QCFI8260).             

This report examines how livestock traders in Kenya, Mali and Somalia finance their operations, finding that despite the growth of mobile payments, most rely on personal savings and informal networks, with limited use of formal financial services.

Cao, Y., Alcayna, T., Quevedo, A., et al. (2021) Exploring the conflict blind spots in climate adaptation finance. Synthesis report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/RVEP8073).          

This report explores whether and how climate adaptation programmes have been conflict-sensitive in fragile and conflict-affected situations, as well as barriers and enablers to increasing adaptation finance to these contexts.

Flintan, F., Nassef, M. and Domingo, P. (2023) Food systems and the political economy: a lens for understanding farmer-herder conflicts. Brief. Nairobi, Kenya: ILRI (https://hdl.handle.net/10568/135952). 

This SPARC partner brief introduces a research framework to study farmer–herder conflict, focusing on how land pressure and policies which favour farming over livestock contribute to growing tensions.

Flintan, F., Nassef, M. Boubacer, B.B., et al. (2025) Deep-rooted causes of farmer-herder conflicts and impact on local food systems: case studies from Sudan, Nigeria and Mali. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/SQIM9261).            

This policy brief summarises the core findings of a three-country study looking through a food systems lens at the causes of farmer-herder conflicts, with particular attention to the role of women and youth in these conflicts, and how they are impacted. The study identifies deep-rooted causes embedded in pastoralist marginalisation, deprivation and weak tenure security and governance. 

Nassef, M., Arasio, R. L., Kone, B., et al. (2025) Local government-led anticipatory action: lessons from Mali and Uganda. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/SVHX1443).           

This report shows how local authorities in Mali and Uganda help communities to prepare and minimise the impact of shocks and crises. It puts the spotlight on the role of local government in anticipatory action. 

Quevedo, A., Cao, Y., Alcayna, T., et al. (2022) Exploring the conflict blind spots in climate adaptation finance in the Sahel and Horn of Africa. Working paper. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/QHWP7303).         

This working paper analyses donor approaches to climate adaptation finance in fragile and conflict- affected settings in the Sahel and East Africa, examining conflict sensitivity and financing barriers through case studies of Mali, Somalia and Sudan.

Simonet, C. and Carabine, E. (2021) Stabilising the Sahel: livestock as a driver of regional integration. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/GYQR5038).  

This policy brief outlines how strengthening livestock markets in the Sahel can enhance resilience to climate and conflict shocks, supporting livelihoods, food security and regional integration in countries like Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. 

Wiggins, S., Allen, M., Barry, B., et al. (2023) Food prices in Mali and Sudan. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/NTQG9805).           

This report examines food price trends in Mali and Sudan from 2019 to 2022, finding that domestic factors – not global market shocks – drove sharp increases.

Simonet, C. and Carabine, E. (2021) Stabilising the Sahel: livestock as a driver of regional integration. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/GYQR5038).  

This policy brief outlines how strengthening livestock markets in the Sahel can enhance resilience to climate and conflict shocks, supporting livelihoods, food security and regional integration in countries like Mali, Niger and Burkina Faso. 

Corrêa, P.C., Bessouet, A. and Khan, M. (2025) Adapting through bricolage: building resilience in Northeast Nigeria. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/PYDG4559).

This policy brief examines how farming and pastoralist communities in North-East Nigeria adapt to  shocks through livelihood diversification and the creative use of local resources, skills and support systems. It highlights the roles of women and youth in driving resilience through formal and informal networks.

Dudu, J.E. and Eronmhonsele, J.I. (2023) ‘Comparative analysis of the experiences, impacts and adaptation strategies to climate change among Sahel Zone’s agro-pastoralists of northeast Nigeria’, Jalingo Journal of Social and Management Sciences, 5(2):143 (https://oer.tsuniversity.edu.ng/index.php/jjsms/article/view/392).              

This journal article compares how agro-pastoralists in North-East Nigeria experience and adapt to climate change, finding high awareness of climate impacts, although links between socio- demographic factors and adaptation responses were inconsistent.

Elshamahi, M., Humphrey, A. and Reid, E. (2021) Living with compounding livelihood shocks: how agropastoralists in Nigeria’s drylands are coping and adapting. Discussion paper. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/KYVD7923).   

This discussion paper explores how agropastoral communities in Nigeria are coping with compounding shocks, including COVID-19. The authors highlight diverse livelihood impacts, uneven aid perceptions and emerging adaptation strategies.

Flintan, F., Nassef, M. and Domingo, P. (2023) Food systems and the political economy: a lens for understanding farmer-herder conflicts. Brief. Nairobi, Kenya: ILRI (https://hdl.handle.net/10568/135952). 

This SPARC partner brief introduces a research framework to study farmer–herder conflict, focusing on how land pressure and policies which favour farming over livestock contribute to growing tensions.

Flintan, F., Nassef, M. Boubacer, B.B., et al. (2025) Deep-rooted causes of farmer-herder conflicts and impact on local food systems: case studies from Sudan, Nigeria and Mali. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/SQIM9261).

This policy brief summarises the core findings of a three-country study looking through a food systems lens at the causes of farmer-herder conflicts, with particular attention to the role of women and youth in these conflicts, and how they are impacted. The study identifies deep-rooted causes embedded in pastoralist marginalisation, deprivation and weak tenure security and governance.

Mayhew, L., Opitz-Stapleton, S., Olatunji G., et al. (2021) Conflict in the time of COVID-19. Issue brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/TLKQ8819).            

This issue brief looks at how farmers and pastoralists in five Nigerian states experienced social dynamics during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Mayhew, L., Opitz-Stapleton, S., Olatunji, G., et al. (2021) Conflict in the time of COVID-19. Research brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/TLKQ8819).    

This research brief explores how the COVID-19 pandemic and lockdowns affected social dynamics in Nigeria’s conflict-affected drylands.

Momale, S. (2024) Causes and impacts of farmer-herder conflicts through a political economy and food production lens. Case study in Jangargari, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. Report. Montpelier, France: CGIAR System Organization (https://hdl.handle.net/10568/169285).              

This SPARC partner report focuses on land tenure and pastoralism in Jangargari, Nasarawa State, Nigeria. It reveals how changing herding patterns, limited grazing access and declining mobility are altering farmer–herder relations and fuelling conflict.

Nassef, M. (2025) Youth in farmer-herder conflicts: case studies from Sudan and Nigeria. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/JJFR9206).      

This report explores the roles of young men and women in farmer–herder conflicts in Sudan and Nigeria. It highlights the severe livelihood and social impacts of conflict on youth and calls for their inclusion in governance, support for youth-led peace-building, gender-responsive skill-building, and expanded access to finance and opportunities.

Nassef, M., Sulieman, H.M., Momale, S., et al. (2025) Women in farmer-herder conflicts: case studies from Sudan and Nigeria. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/MWPK9310).         

This report explores women’s roles in farmer–herder conflicts in Sudan and Nigeria, documenting how conflict affects their livelihoods, food security and psychosocial well-being. It highlights women’s agency alongside their exclusion from decision-making and recommends context-specific support to strengthen economic resilience, land access, leadership and inclusion in peace-building.

Odalonu, B.H., Eronmhonsele, J.I. and Edejeghwro, M. (2024) ‘A Review of the Gender Barriers Confronting Women and Girls in Pastoral Communities in Nigeria’s Sahel Region: The Case of Bauchi and Gombe States’, International Journal of Research in Social Science and Humanities, 5(11):15–30 (https://doi.org/10.47505/ijrss).         

This journal article investigates the socio-cultural, economic and institutional drivers of gender inequality among pastoralists in Nigeria’s Sahel region.

Opitz-Stapleton, S., Alasia, J.I., Adamu, Z., et al. (2022) Livelihoods, conflict and meditation: Nigeria. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/XLGG6645).   

This report from SPARC and the Fulbe Development and Cultural Organization (FUDECO) provides a snapshot of livelihood challenges and conflict dynamics in two Nigerian communities, showing how land pressure, grazing restrictions, illegal mining and insecurity are affecting pastoral and agropastoral livelihoods in the aftermath of COVID-19.

Opitz-Stapleton, S., Alasia, J.I., Adamu, Z., et al. (2023) Nigeria: Some land tenure insecurity issues in Hayin Ade and Wuro Bappate. Issue brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/AWRH6479).          

This issue brief examines land tenure insecurity in two Nigerian communities, showing how local dynamics – from illegal mining to land speculation – intersect with weak governance and legal awareness to threaten pastoral and agropastoral livelihoods.

Opitz-Stapleton, S., Alasia, J.I., Egemonye, O., et al. (2024) Impacts of Naira redesign on livelihoods in Hayin Ade and Wuro Bappate. Abuja, Nigeria. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/CLGX5621).            

This policy brief explores how Nigeria’s Naira redesign policy has deepened financial hardship for pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in two rural communities, highlighting the need for support with digital access, ID registration and financial literacy to ensure inclusion in the formal economy.

Sulieman, H.M. (2025) Land use dynamics and farmer-herder conflicts: a spatial analysis of case studies from Sudan and Nigeria. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/QPUM4393).          

The report analyses how land use changes fuel farmer–herder conflicts in Sudan and Nigeria, highlighting shrinking grazing areas and weak governance.

Vincent, K., Eronmhonsele, J., Kibutu, T., et al. (2025) Lessons for research funders from locally led action research on women’s empowerment among pastoralists. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/KYJK5636).     

This policy brief brief distils lessons from three locally led projects on how to promote women’s empowerment among pastoralists and agro-pastoralists living in fragile and conflict-affected settings.

Asamba, M. (2025) Juxtaposition of women economic empowerment and innovation: is one a pathway to the other? Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/GCOH1605).        

This policy brief explores ways in which economically empowered pastoralist women initiate and/or adopt innovations at a personal and communal level.

Banerjee, R., Barry, B., Jaquez, C., et al. (2021) Financing livestock trade: formal and informal finance in Kenya, Mali and Somalia. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/QCFI8260).             

This report examines how livestock traders in Kenya, Mali and Somalia finance their operations, finding that despite the growth of mobile payments, most rely on personal savings and informal networks, with limited use of formal financial services.

Banerjee, R., Cullis, A., Flintan, F., et al. (2021) ‘Impact of COVID-19 on livestock exports from Somalia and the Horn of Africa’, Enterprise Development and Microfinance, 32(1–2):4–18 (https://doi.org/10.3362/1755-1986.21-00005).         

This journal article examines the impact of Saudi Arabia’s 2020 Hajj restrictions on Somalia’s livestock sector, highlighting an 80% decline in seasonal income and offering recommendations for strengthening resilience in the livestock value chain.

Cao, Y., Alcayna, T., Quevedo, A., et al. (2021) Exploring the conflict blind spots in climate adaptation finance. Synthesis report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/RVEP8073).          

This report explores whether and how climate adaptation programmes have been conflict-sensitive in fragile and conflict-affected situations, as well as barriers and enablers to increasing adaptation finance to these contexts.

Gulati, M., Opitz-Stapleton, S., Cao, Y., et al. (2023) Climate-resilient development for Somalia. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/NBBK3728).   

This report presents a stocktake of Somalia’s current efforts in addressing climate change through a qualitative climate risk screening and an assessment of government and development partners’ adaptation priorities.

Levine, S., Humphrey, A., Weingärtner, L., et al. (2021) Understanding the role of anticipatory action in Somalia. Issue brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/EVNP1973).           

This issue brief introduces a longitudinal study on anticipatory action in Somalia, exploring how farmers, pastoralists and traders respond to early warnings and what support they need to act ahead of crises.

Levine, S., Weingärtner, L., Humphrey A., et al. (2023) Anticipatory action in advance of ‘wicked crises’: insights from a real-time study of people’s lives in Somalia, 2020–2022. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/CXKD1254).         

This report explores how farmers and pastoralists in Somalia responded to early drought warnings between 2020 and 2022, showing that limited local options constrained action and underscoring the need for long-term investment in flexible, locally grounded strategies.

Mayhew, L., Alasia, J.I., Opitz-Stapleton, S., et al. (2023) Somalia: drought and rising costs take hold. Issue brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/RWOD5820). 

This issue brief explores how pastoralists, agro-pastoralists and farmers in three regions of Somalia are coping with rising inflation and economic stress.

Nur, L., Koné, S., Opitz-Stapleton, S., et al. (2024) Assessing and financing loss and damage to climate change in Somalia. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/STDZ5747).            

This report provides new estimates of current and potential future climate-attributable losses and damages in Somalia.

Opitz-Stapleton, S., Mayhew, L., Alasia, J.I., et al. (2022) Livelihoods, conflict and mediation: Somalia. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/TYJG6495).    

This report explores how shocks, land pressure and long-standing political tensions affect livelihoods and conflict in Somalia and Nigeria – while also highlighting the continued importance of local, community-led dispute resolution.

Quevedo, A., Cao, Y., Alcayna, T., et al. (2022) Exploring the conflict blind spots in climate adaptation finance in the Sahel and Horn of Africa. Working paper. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/QHWP7303).         

This working paper analyses donor approaches to climate adaptation finance in fragile and conflict- affected settings in the Sahel and East Africa, examining conflict sensitivity and financing barriers through case studies of Mali, Somalia and Sudan.

Quevedo, A., Kazmi, A., Loyaan, F., et al. (2023) Financing climate adaptation in fragile states: a case of Somalia. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/PHZH3725).         

This policy brief highlights Somalia’s acute climate vulnerability and limited climate finance despite ongoing drought and humanitarian crises, outlining recommendations to improve access to and effectiveness of climate-related funding.

SPARC (2021) Rapid assessment of the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/MFUH9372).          

This report assesses the impact of the 2020 Hajj restrictions on Somalia’s livestock exports, highlighting how the loss of a major market amid overlapping crises exposed the fragility of the country’s largely informal, livestock-dependent economy. 

Weingärtner, L., Humphrey, A., Sheikh, A.M., et al. (2022) Obstacles to and opportunities for anticipatory action in Somalia. Issue brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/NUEA3464).           

This issue brief shares insights from SPARC’s longitudinal interviews in Somalia, exploring how pastoralists, farmers and small-business owners perceived and responded to early warnings of drought.

Bak, C. (2025) Agro-pastoralists’ adaptation to flooding and conflict in Gogrial East, Warrap State, South Sudan. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/WTZI2592).            

This report looks at the climate and conflict risks faced by agro-pastoralists in Gogrial East, South Sudan, and the traditional adaptation strategies they use to mitigate risks.

Bedelian, C., Njoroge, G.W., Gathuoy, N.M., et al. (2025) Women’s evolving livelihoods and shifting gender norms in Bahr el Ghazal State, South Sudan. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/WJTC6283).

This report examines women’s evolving livelihoods through the use of a ‘bricolage’ strategy in Bahr el Ghazal State, South Sudan, and how this is redefining gender roles and responsibilities at home and in the community.

Humphrey A., Stites E., Gai T., et al. (2023) Faced with floods: shifting livelihood strategies among South Sudan’s pastoralists. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/XBWK3559).          

This report investigates how pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in Unity State, South Sudan, are adjusting their livelihoods in response to conflict and climate shocks and considers whether these changes signal temporary coping mechanisms or longer-term shifts.

Humphrey, A., Levine, S., Gai, J.T., et al. (2023) Dynamism in the drylands of South Sudan. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/ADAF8347).   

This report explores how pastoralists in South Sudan are navigating repeated climate and conflict shocks, with a focus on immediate coping responses and how these are reshaping long-term livelihood goals and perceptions of pastoralism.

Malou, N.E. and Cullis, A. (2025) Narratives of change: women’s reflections on evolving productive roles in the Agar Dinka Community. Issue brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/VVKM1980).           

This issue brief presents the key findings from research on the evolving productive roles amongst Agar Dinka women in South Sudan.

Mayhew, L., Levine, S., Akoi, A.D., et al. (2025) Dynamic livelihoods in conflict and recurrent crises: stories of change from Ethiopia and South Sudan. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/OSWO5255).         

This report looks at change within people’s livelihoods, the conditions that allow change to occur and spread, and the barriers that prevent change from spreading to other people and places in contexts of conflict and recurrent crises.

Njoroge, G.W. and Jaquez, C. (2025) Adaptive strategies and resilience: analysing coping mechanisms of Wau and Jur river pastoralist communities in South Sudan, in response to shocks and crises affecting livelihoods. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/TPDU7731).   

This SPARC report examines how agro-pastoral communities in Wau and Jur River Counties, South Sudan, navigate complex challenges, and what strategies prove most effective in the face of multiple, overlapping crises, including armed conflict, drought, floods and economic volatility.

Shisanya, C.A. and Obando, J.A. (2024) ‘Stories from the Frontline: Coping Strategies for Flood Disasters among the Dinka Community of Bor County, South Sudan’, Open Access Library Journal, 11: e11906 (https://doi.org/10.4236/oalib.1111906).      

This journal article examines flood vulnerability and coping strategies in Bor County, South Sudan. The authors show how poverty, limited education and weak flood preparedness compound risks.

Vincent, K., Eronmhonsele, J., Kibutu, T., et al. (2025) Lessons for research funders from locally led action research on women’s empowerment among pastoralists. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/KYJK5636).     

This policy brief brief distils lessons from three locally led projects on how to promote women’s empowerment among pastoralists and agro-pastoralists living in fragile and conflict-affected settings.

Cao, Y., Alcayna, T., Quevedo, A., et al. (2021) Exploring the conflict blind spots in climate adaptation finance. Synthesis report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/RVEP8073).          

This report explores whether and how climate adaptation programmes have been conflict-sensitive in fragile and conflict-affected situations, as well as barriers and enablers to increasing adaptation finance to these contexts.

Flintan, F., Nassef, M. and Domingo, P. (2023) Food systems and the political economy: a lens for understanding farmer-herder conflicts. Brief. Nairobi, Kenya: ILRI (https://hdl.handle.net/10568/135952). 

This SPARC partner brief introduces a research framework to study farmer–herder conflict, focusing on how land pressure and policies which favour farming over livestock contribute to growing tensions.

Flintan, F., Nassef, M. Boubacer, B.B., et al. (2025) Deep-rooted causes of farmer-herder conflicts and impact on local food systems: case studies from Sudan, Nigeria and Mali. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/SQIM9261).            

This policy brief summarises the core findings of a three-country study looking through a food systems lens at the causes of farmer-herder conflicts, with particular attention to the role of women and youth in these conflicts, and how they are impacted. The study identifies deep-rooted causes embedded in pastoralist marginalisation, deprivation and weak tenure security and governance.

Flintan, F., Nassef, M., Suleiman, H., et al. (2025) Influencing global collective land tenure indicators: case studies from Burkina Faso, Kenya and Sudan. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/ZDQC5326).           

This report consolidates the findings of a three-country study to understand perspectives of tenure security amongst pastoralist communities. The findings lead to recommended indicators that can be used to measure perceived tenure security in global indicator frameworks such as Prindex

Humphrey, A., Jaquez, C., Levine, S., et al. (2021) Impacts of disruptions to livestock marketing in Sudan. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/CGIB4972).            

This report examines how the 2020 Hajj suspension affected low-income herders and livestock traders in Sudan. It draws on interviews and literature to explore export disruptions and options for mitigating future shocks.

Nassef, M. (2025) Youth in farmer-herder conflicts: case studies from Sudan and Nigeria. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/JJFR9206).      

This report explores the roles of young men and women in farmer–herder conflicts in Sudan and Nigeria. It highlights the severe livelihood and social impacts of conflict on youth and calls for their inclusion in governance, support for youth-led peace-building, gender-responsive skill-building, and expanded access to finance and opportunities.

Nassef, M., Otieno, K., Sulieman, H.M, et al. (2024) Understanding and characterising collective tenure and tenure security in pastoral systems: consolidation of case studies in Kenya, Sudan and Burkina Faso. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/XEEC3412).            

This report explores pastoral land tenure insecurity in Burkina Faso, Kenya and Sudan, finding that lack of formal recognition heightens conflict risks as land competition intensifies, and argues for formalising communal rights to strengthen legitimacy and protection.

Nassef, M., Sulieman, H.M., Momale, S., et al. (2025) Women in farmer-herder conflicts: case studies from Sudan and Nigeria. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/MWPK9310).         

This report explores women’s roles in farmer–herder conflicts in Sudan and Nigeria, documenting how conflict affects their livelihoods, food security and psychosocial well-being. It highlights women’s agency alongside their exclusion from decision-making and recommends context-specific support to strengthen economic resilience, land access, leadership and inclusion in peace-building.

Quevedo, A., Cao, Y., Alcayna, T., et al. (2022) Exploring the conflict blind spots in climate adaptation finance in the Sahel and Horn of Africa. Working paper. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/QHWP7303).         

This working paper analyses donor approaches to climate adaptation finance in fragile and conflict- affected settings in the Sahel and East Africa, examining conflict sensitivity and financing barriers through case studies of Mali, Somalia and Sudan.

SPARC (2025) Darfur’s long-distance trade: impact of war and Rapid Support Forces’ trade embargo. Issue brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/TXUG1943).

This issue brief examines the impact of the Rapid Support Forces-imposed trade embargo in western Sudan, showing how restrictions on the movement of goods from Darfur have disrupted local economies and isolated the region from national markets

SPARC (2025) Market monitoring and localised research in extreme conflict: learning from Darfur. Issue brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/ESNF4667).

This issue brief captures the key lessons from pioneering a locally-led approach to market monitoring, analysis and research in a context of extreme conflict and insecurity across Darfur, Sudan. It reflects on adaptations made to conventional market monitoring systems, drawing on experienced expert opinion from the ground, and on the importance of adaptive and simplified project management when working in a war zone.

SPARC (2025) The impact of war on trade and markets in Darfur: destruction, resilience and adaptation. Issue brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/TLBI1627).     

This issue brief explores how trade and markets within Darfur’s five states have adapted to the ongoing conflict since April 2023, highlighting both disruptions and forms of resilience emerging in local economic activity.

SPARC (2025) The war economy in Darfur: distorting trade and fuelling conflict. Issue brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/XMLR4280).           

This issue brief explores how trade is fuelling conflict through the war economy, with a focus on Darfur which is predominantly under control of the Rapid Support Forces in Sudan. It also captures some of the consequences for long-term established traders in Darfur, with the purpose of informing market-oriented humanitarian programming.

Sulieman, H.M and Abdal Karem, S.M. (2023) Scoping report for a farmer-herder conflict case study in Sudan. Report. Nairobi, Kenya: ILRI (https://hdl.handle.net/10568/135980).

This SPARC partner report summarises findings from a scoping visit and literature review on Sudan’s political economy to support upcoming fieldwork on farmer–herder conflicts.

Sulieman, H.M. (2024) Causes and impacts of farmer-herder conflicts through a political economy and food production lens. Case study in Gadarif State, Sudan. Report. Montpelier, France: CGIAR System Organization (https://hdl.handle.net/10568/168670).

This SPARC partner report examines the causes and impacts of farmer–herder conflicts through a political economy and food production lens, focusing on the interaction between the farming community of Azaza Sogora Village and the Fallata pastoralist group.

Sulieman, H.M. (2025) Land use dynamics and farmer-herder conflicts: a spatial analysis of case studies from Sudan and Nigeria. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/QPUM4393).

The report analyses how land use changes fuel farmer–herder conflicts in Sudan and Nigeria, highlighting shrinking grazing areas and weak governance.

Sulieman, H.M., Adam, Y.O. and Naile, S. (2024) Collective tenure of pastoral land in Sudan: evidence from North Kordofan. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/KPYG9549).            

This report explores the significance of collective tenure and perceptions of tenure security among pastoralists in Sudan.

Wiggins, S., Allen, M., Barry, B., et al. (2023) Food prices in Mali and Sudan. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/NTQG9805).           

This report examines food price trends in Mali and Sudan from 2019 to 2022, finding that domestic factors – not global market shocks – drove sharp increases.

Atim, T., Opio, J. and Levine, S. (2024) Recovering from civil war: evidence from a decade of recovery in northern Uganda. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/UXDF1631).

This report looks at the lives, livelihoods and attitudes of trust and political legitimacy of households in northern Uganda from 2013 to 2022. It is the most recent dataset of a long-term study investigating Ugandans’ lives in the aftermath of the 1986–2006 civil war.

Nassef, M., Arasio, R. L., Kone, B., et al. (2025) Local government-led anticipatory action: lessons from Mali and Uganda. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/SVHX1443).           

This report shows how local authorities in Mali and Uganda help communities to prepare and minimise the impact of shocks and crises. It puts the spotlight on the role of local government in anticipatory action. 

Wiggins, S., Banerjee, R., Patel, N. et al. (2023) Farming after fighting. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/OWRM4675).         

This report reviews how smallholders farmers recover following conflict, based on an assessment of six conflicts that ended in the early 1990s and early 2000s: in Cambodia, Mozambique, Peru’s southern highlands, Rwanda, Sierra Leone and northern Uganda.

Ajl, M., Ayeb, H. and Bush, R. (2023) ‘North Africa: the climate emergency and family farming’, Review of African Political Economy, 50(176):173–196 (https://doi.org/10.1080/03056244.2023.2267311).              

This journal article critiques climate policy in North Africa led by international financial institutions and governments, arguing it neglects the role of small-scale farming and ignores the historical and structural roots of poverty and underdevelopment.

Baker, D. (2023) Climate change and transboundary risks in African rangelands. Brief. Nairobi, Kenya: ILRI (https://hdl.handle.net/10568/135858).

This SPARC partner brief provides policy recommendations based on the above brief by Baker (2023).

Baker, D. (2023) Climate change and transboundary risks in African rangelands. Policy paper. Nairobi, Kenya: ILRI (https://hdl.handle.net/10568/135837).        

This SPARC partner paper reviews climate risk research on African pastoralism through the lens of four transboundary risk pathways.

Balfour, N. and Levine, S. (2025) Lessons from the water sector about drought management in the drylands of Africa. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/MDHW7921).        

SPARC research on water development in the drylands revealed that a divide between development thinking and humanitarian action is undermining resilience and community trust. This policy brief shows how more meaningful progress can be found if a practical problem such as water supply is the focus of discussions between government, communities, humanitarian actors and development partners.

Bedelian, C. (2024) How climate information services (CIS) can help pastoralists in the Horn of Africa. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/GEJG2628).    

This policy brief explores the challenges pastoralists face when using climate information services and outlines key considerations for scaling these up in drylands.

Bullock, R., DuttaGupta, T., Majiwa, H., et al. (2025) Gender-transformative approaches in pastoral areas: a review of current trends and key issues. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/UBPJ9797).    

This report advances our current understanding of gender-transformative approaches in pastoral communities in SPARC countries. The report synthesises findings from literature, workshops and interviews to describe gender-transformative approaches, their impacts and emerging trends and gaps.

Bullock, R., DuttaGupta, T., Majiwa, H., et al. (2025) Guidelines and best practices on gender- transformative approaches in pastoral areas. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/HSIB1350).             

The brief draws upon interviews and participatory workshops to provide practical recommendations on how to implement gender-transformative approaches in pastoral areas. 

Calow, R., Feyertag, J., Levine, S., et al. (2020) Dealing with COVID-19 in rural Africa: lessons from previous crises. Briefing paper. London, UK: ODI Global (https://odi.org/en/publications/dealing- with-covid-19-in-rural-africa-lessons-from-previous-crises/).   

This SPARC partner paper distils lessons from past health and economic crises to understand the potential impacts of COVID-19 on agriculture, rural livelihoods and food security in Africa, and how to respond effectively.

Cao, Y., Quevedo, A., Khatri, N., et al. (2022) Embracing discomfort: a call to enable finance for climate-change adaptation in conflict settings. Briefing paper. London, UK: ODI (https://odi.org/en/ publications/embracing-discomfort-a-call-to-enable-finance-for-climate-change-adaptation-in- conflict-settings/). 

This SPARC partner briefing paper calls for urgent reforms to ensure that conflict-affected communities can access climate adaptation finance. It outlines recommendations for policy- makers and climate finance institutions focused on rethinking risk, enabling action at multiple levels, improving coordination and breaking down structural silos.

Chamberlin, W., Kebede, T. and Jaquez, C. (2025) From risk to resilience: grounding innovation in pastoralist realities. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/LYOO8259).            

This policy brief explores how understanding pastoralists’ views of risk can guide innovations and support their adaptation and resilience. 

Chelanga, P., Fava, F., Alulu, V., et al. (2022) ‘KAZNET: An Open-Source, Micro-Tasking Platform for Remote Locations’, Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 6 (https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2022.730836).             

This journal article evaluates the use of micro-tasking through the KAZNET crowdsourcing platform to collect socioeconomic and environmental data in remote areas, demonstrating its cost-effective potential for high-frequency monitoring, while highlighting trade-offs with conventional survey methods.

Derbyshire, S.F., Mohamed, T.S., Banerjee, R., et al. (2024) Anticipatory action in the drylands: steps toward centring pastoralist knowledge. Brief. Nairobi, Kenya: ILRI (https://hdl.handle.net/10568/138679).        

This SPARC partner brief makes a case for more locally tailored and flexible anticipatory action in drylands, highlighting the need for adaptable financing, robust local profiles and stronger knowledge- sharing networks to support pastoralist resilience.

Dupar, M. and Lovell, E. (2021) Resilient generation: supporting young people’s prospects for decent work in the drylands of East and West Africa. Issue brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/WCEH5477).          

This issue brief summarises key findings from the technical report of the same name (Dupar et al., 2021, below). 

Dupar, M., Lovell, E., Walmsley, O., et al. (2021) Resilient generation: supporting young people’s prospects for decent work in the drylands of East and West Africa. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/CFFG1768).   

This report reviews education, skills and employment opportunities for young people in the drylands of Ethiopia, Mali, Nigeria, Somalia, South Sudan and Sudan, highlighting key barriers and recommending actions to support climate-resilient, decent work through targeted and inclusive programming.

Flintan, F., Robinson, L. and Allen, M. (2021) A review of tenure and governance in the pastoral lands of East and West Africa. Evidence review. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/10.61755/WOGD3952).    

This evidence review explores how growing pressure on pastoral lands in East and West Africa is undermining tenure systems, leading to reduced access, resource degradation and rising conflict – and highlights how pastoralists are developing hybrid strategies to secure land and adapt to these challenges. 

Hakiman, K., and Stull-Lane, C. (2022) Innovation in governance: integrating technical and contextual perspectives to address fragility. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/YXXG7218).            

This report introduces the decision-making framework, the Stakeholder Approach to Risk-Informed and Evidence-Based Decision Making (SHARED), which integrates evidence-based approaches with local social, political and ecological realities to support inclusive policy-making in fragile dryland contexts across sub-Saharan Africa.

Kipruto, T., Waga, E., Kim, J., et al. (2025) Supporting adolescent girls’ well-being in climate- and conflict-affected areas of East and West Africa. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/OGLH5993).           

This policy brief synthesises evidence on interventions to support the financial and psychosocial well- being of adolescent girls in vulnerable pastoral areas, highlighting gaps to inform future programmes and policies.

Lemma, A., Raga, S., Willem te Velde, D., et al. (2023) The role of development finance institutions in addressing food security in vulnerable contexts. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/IDXJ1893).     

This report examines how development finance institutions could play a greater role in improving food security in 14 countries by investing in agriculture and related sectors, and outlines practical steps to overcome current barriers to investment.

Levine, S. (2022) Making the concept of resilience in the Sahel more useful. Issue brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/IGKW1414).           

This issue brief critiques how ‘resilience’ is often discussed and operationalised in the Sahel, arguing that abstract language and technical framing obscure real challenges. It calls for grounded, problem- driven analysis and cross-sector collaboration to make resilience efforts more effective and scalable.

Levine, S. (2025) Building resilience in conflicts and recurring crises: moving beyond assumptions to see what really works. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/MDFK7930).           

SPARC re-visited several apparently successful resilience-building projects in different countries several years after they had ended. This policy brief shows what experience can teach us about how projects really change people’s lives – and which assumptions consistently proved illusory, if we took the trouble to check. 

Levine, S. and Gogerty, E. (2025) Ten ways to create people-centred early warning systems in conflicts and recurrent crises. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/MVZT8929).            

This policy brief explores the challenges of creating a multi-hazard early warning system in conflict and recurrent crises, and what it means in such difficult places for them to be ‘people-centred’. It provides 10 recommendations for supporting people-centred early warning systems in conflicts and recurrent crises, drawing on learning from research projects conducted by SPARC over the past six years. 

Levine, S. and Gogerty, E. (2025) Ten ways to reduce disaster risk in conflicts and recurring crises. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/GSIJ3730).

This policy brief makes the case that disaster risk reduction in conflict and recurring crises is both necessary and possible – it can be, and is being, done locally, even without support. Analysis from research projects by SPARC over the past six years is distilled in 10 recommendations that set an approach to reducing disaster risk that is relevant in conflict and recurring crises – and that can achieve scale. 

Levine, S. and Gogerty, E. (2025) Twelve ways to take anticipatory action to scale in conflicts and recurring crises. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/ENFG5467).           

This policy brief considers what is required for anticipatory action models to reach scale in difficult places, such as conflicts and recurrent crises. It provides 12 recommendations based on learning from research projects conducted by SPARC over the past six years. 

Levine, S. and Wiggins, S. (2023) How can development partners support food security in protracted crises? Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/GWPG4026). 

This policy brief, prepared for the 2023 Global Food Security Summit, presents five lessons from SPARC research on strengthening food security in crisis-affected countries.

Levine, S., Wiggins, S., Allen, M., et al. (2021) Livelihoods and markets in protracted conflict: a review of evidence and practice. Evidence review. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/XUPB4400).           

This evidence review examines how protracted conflict has affected livelihoods and food security across 11 countries and assesses the effectiveness of various economic and social responses to conflict-related harm.

Makhoka, C., Jaquez, C., and Reid, E. (2021) Innovations for pastoralists and agro-pastoralists in fragile and conflict-affected settings. Scoping paper. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/JHCA2134).            

This scoping paper reviews 38 innovations in fragile and conflict-affected settings, to analyse: what products, processes and services are offered; who is innovating and where; how they are distributed; and the business models and partnerships that enable these innovations.

Mohamed, T.S., Crane, T.A., Derbyshire, S., et al. (2025) ‘A Review of Approaches to the Integration of Humanitarian and Development Aid’, Pastoralism, Policy and Practice, 15 (https://doi.org/10.3389/past.2025.14001).  

This journal article examines efforts to integrate humanitarian and development aid in the Horn of Africa, finding that progress remains slow due to institutional barriers and limited local participation.

Mohamed, T.S., Crane, T.A., Roba, G., et al. (2024) Breaking down siloes: towards effective integration of resilience and humanitarian aid in the Horn of Africa. Brief. Nairobi, Kenya: ILRI (https://hdl.handle.net/10568/151962).        

This SPARC partner brief shares reflections from a 2024 workshop on the barriers to integrating work across the humanitarian, development and resilience nexus.

Nassef, M., Eba, B., Islam, K., et al. (2023) Causes of farmer-herder conflicts in Africa: a systematic scoping review. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/YZTL6507).              

This report presents findings from a systematic review of research on farmer–herder conflict in Africa, identifying key drivers and gaps in how women and youth are represented in existing studies. 

Opitz-Stapleton, S. (2023) Transboundary climate risks to African dryland livestock economies. Issue brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/CQMU1833).

This issue brief explores how non-climate factors such as land encroachment and resource fragmentation interact with climate change to create transboundary climate risks for pastoral systems in African drylands, challenging traditional mobility and trade. 

Opitz-Stapleton, S., Cramer, L., Kaba, F., et al. (2021) Transboundary climate and adaptation risks in Africa: perceptions from 2021. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/FLSW9678).           

This report documents how African policy-makers and experts perceive climate change and adaptation risks that have the potential for multi-country to regional consequences.

Opitz-Stapleton, S., Gulati, M., Laville, C., et al. (2023) Building forward better: a pathway to climate- resilient development in fragile and conflict-affected situations. Framing note. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/NNQW1729). 

This SPARC partner report, produced in advance of COP28, advocates for a new way of thinking, delivering and financing rethinking of climate action in fragile and conflict-affected settings: one in which programmes and investments by humanitarian, development, peace-building and climate actors mutually reinforce and support each other, and are informed by a clear understanding of the drivers of conflict and climate risks.

Opitz-Stapleton, S., Gulati, M., Laville, C., et al. (2023) Building forward better: a pathway to climate- resilient development in fragile and conflict-affected situations. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/NNQW1729).       

This SPARC partner framing note, produced in advance of COP28, advocates for a new way of thinking, delivering and financing climate action in fragile and conflict-affected settings: one in which programmes and investments by humanitarian, development, peace-building and climate actors mutually reinforce and support each other, and are informed by a clear understanding of the drivers of conflict and climate risks.

Opitz-Stapleton, S., Joshua, M., Denje, T., et al. (2023) How can Africa manage the transboundary climate crises it faces? Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/FICX9899).             

This policy brief, produced in advance of the 2023 session of the African Ministerial Conference on the Environment, identifies five key transboundary climate risks in Africa, offering recommendations for how member states can manage them within existing climate policy frameworks.

Pichon, F., Nur, L., Panwar, V., et al. (2024) Bearing the burden: climate change-attributable losses and damages in the Sahel and Greater Horn of Africa. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/MDLP7077).  

This report provides new estimates of climate-attributable losses and damages, including lives lost, agricultural damage and more, across 18 countries across the Sahel and Horn of Africa. The report also reviews existing literature on indirect and non-economic losses and damages.

Quevedo, A. and Cao, Y. (2022) Climate adaptation investments in conflict-affected states. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/JYOL8449).             

This policy brief explores how policy-makers might increase financial allocations to Least Developed Countries that are affected by fragility and conflict.

Ridolfi, R. and Asamba, M. (2025) The use of gender transformative approaches (GTAs) in pastoralist societies: what we know about what works and recommendations for a way forward. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/TPML8599).

This policy brief reviews behaviour change strategies and monitoring tools used in gender- transformative approaches in the Horn of Africa, offering insights to inform future programme design for dryland communities.

Sisodia, R. and Jobbins, G. (2022) ‘Climate change and psychosocial resilience in drylands: the need for more evidence’, International Review of Psychiatry, 34(5):520–524 (https://doi.org/10.1080/09540261.2022.2118520). 

This journal article highlights the overlooked role of psychosocial factors in shaping climate resilience in dryland communities, calling for more transdisciplinary research to guide policies and programmes that avoid unintentionally undermining mental and social well-being.

Turnbull, S., Uribe, M. and Madrazo, J. (2025) Targeting individuals or communities? Learnings from AfriScout on improving pastoralists’ well-being. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/UHRU8109).          

This policy brief summarises a two-year mixed-methods impact evaluation by Causal Design assessing how two models by AfriScout influence pastoralist decision-making, rangeland and herd conditions, and offers lessons for future programmes and policy.

Uribe, M., Turnbull, S. and Madrazo, J. (2025) AfriScout Steward and Regen impact evaluation. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/YJXE4910).     

This technical report summarises the key findings and recommendations from an evaluation of AfriScout’s impact on pastoralist decision-making, and subsequent impacts on rangeland and herd conditions.

Vincent, K. (2022) ‘A review of gender in agricultural and pastoral livelihoods based on selected countries in west and east Africa’, Frontiers in Sustainable Food Systems, 6 (https://doi.org/10.3389/fsufs.2022.908018).             

This journal article reviews studies published between 2016 and 2021 on gender and agricultural or pastoral livelihoods in 13 African countries.

Vincent, K. (2022) Gender in agricultural and pastoral livelihoods in SPARC countries in sub-Saharan Africa and the Middle East: a review. Technical report. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/KDWI7749).           

This report reviews 170 studies on gender in agricultural and pastoral livelihoods across SPARC focus countries, identifying thematic trends, geographic variation and research gaps to inform future SPARC contributions.

Watkins, K., Nwajiaku-Dahou, K. and Kovach, H. (2024) Financing the fight against poverty and hunger: mobilising resources for a sustainable development goal reset. Research report. London, UK: ODI Global.         

This SPARC partner report, prepared at the request of the G20 Presidency in 2024, highlights the potential for more rapid progress to eradicate extreme poverty.

Wiggins, S. (2022) Impacts of war on food prices and food security in potentially vulnerable countries. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/CALW1406).  

This policy brief explores how surging global prices for fuel, fertiliser and staple crops – triggered by the war in Ukraine – are compounding existing food security risks in Kenya, Mali, Sudan and Yemen, and reflects on lessons from previous crises.

Wiggins, S., Calow, R., Feyertag, J., et al. (2020) Rapid evidence review: policy interventions to mitigate negative effects on poverty, agriculture and food security from disease outbreaks and other crises. Emerging Analysis. London, UK: ODI Global (https://odi.org/en/publications/rapid-evidence-review-covid-19-poverty-agriculture/).

This SPARC partner report draws on lessons from past crises – including Ebola, SARS and the 2008 food price spike – to assess how COVID-19 might affect agriculture, rural livelihoods and food security in sub-Saharan Africa.

Wiggins, S., Newborne, P., Benoudji, C., et al. (2023) A rural green transition in the G5 Sahel. Policy brief. London, UK: SPARC Knowledge (https://doi.org/10.61755/VIGJ4296)       

This policy brief sets out practical steps for Ministers of the G5 Sahel, aid agencies, funders and researchers to advance a rural green transition and expand employment opportunities for youth in the region.