Structural and procedural properties important in promoting bio-enterprises as alternative livelihoods to pastoral and agro-pastoral livelihoods

There is increasing interest in rural development circles in promoting alternative livelihoods opportunities for pastoral and agro-pastoral livelihoods. However, there is very little empirical evidence that effectively evaluates the impact of the existing approaches. As pastoral and agro-pastoral production conditions change, due to factors such as increasing competition over natural resources and climate variability, the pressure on pastoralists and agro-pastoralists to find alternative income sources is forcing them to make fundamental changes in their livelihoods and coping strategies. This paper synthesises the lessons learned from the study of bio-enterprise initiatives by identifying and discussing the features important for such initiatives to reduce poverty and improve the adaptive capacities of pastoralists and agro-pastoralists. It draws on a study of different bio-enterprise initiatives that have aimed to improve agro-pastoral and pastoral livelihoods and natural resources management (NRM) in the drylands of Kenya. The identified factors include close interaction with and cooperation between the stakeholders, understanding of the specific needs of all the players, adequate evaluation of the business viability prior to implementation, application of sound basic business principals throughout the value chain, the up-take of organic and ethical trade standards and well phased market gearing. Other factors, such as access to affordable small scale business finance and loans, adequate skills development, ability to achieve the necessary product quantity and quality demanded by the market, are some of the more apparent steps that are essential to improving bio-enterprisedependent livelihoods.