The process of Land Degradation is detrimental, but not irreversible.
WOCAT (World Overview of Conservation Approaches and Technologies) is part of this solution. WOCAT is a global network and knowledge-sharing platform dedicated to Sustainable Land Management (SLM). It maintains a global database of proven conservation approaches and technologies to make sustainability knowledge easily accessible. It helps countries compile, integrate, and use spatial data to prioritize land restoration interventions and overcome barriers to implementing those solutions. Finally, it acts as a key partner in international projects designed to scale up the capacity of UNCCD (United Nations Convention to Combat Desertification) parties, helping them track, plan, and report their progress toward achieving Land Degradation Neutrality (LDN).
Based on research from the WOCAT SLM database, here are some solutions that could be applicable to the context of Lesotho.
1. Promote Innovative Fodder Production Systems
To reduce pressure on natural rangelands and improve the sustainability of livestock production, Lesotho should promote innovative fodder production systems that provide reliable, year-round feed resources. This includes the cultivation of drought-tolerant forage crops (e.g., alfalfa, forage sorghum, oats), hydroponic fodder production, silage and hay making, and climate-smart irrigation techniques where feasible. These approaches can reduce dependence on natural grazing areas, particularly during dry seasons and drought periods when forage availability is limited. By ensuring a stable supply of high-quality livestock feed, innovative fodder production can improve animal health and productivity while allowing degraded rangelands time to recover.
2. Area Closure for Degraded Rangelands
When a section of land is severely degraded and past its ecological breaking point, rotational grazing alone isn't enough. Area closure involves completely, but temporarily, excluding livestock from heavily damaged zones to give the ecosystem a total rest.
Why it fits Lesotho: Many local rangelands have already exceeded their ecological carrying capacity. They need a complete break from grazing pressure to allow natural regeneration to take hold.
The Environmental Pivot: With livestock temporarily removed, native grasses and shrubs return on their own. This natural vegetation blanket stabilizes vulnerable topsoil, reduces flash runoff, traps organic carbon, and restarts the water cycle by helping rainfall seep back into the ground.
Global & Local Evidence: WOCAT data tracking similar area closures in Ethiopia documented rapid jumps in plant biomass, significantly reduced soil erosion, and improved groundwater recharge after a few years of rest.
3. Controlled Stocking Rates
No grazing strategy can succeed if there are simply too many animals for the land to support. Controlled stocking rates involve actively balancing the number of livestock with the actual carrying capacity of the available forage, monitored via field check-ins and remote sensing tools like the Normalized Difference Vegetation Index (NDVI).
Why it fits Lesotho: Current livestock densities regularly outpace what the land can physically produce. Transitioning focus from the quantity of animals to the quality of management is essential for long-term survival of the rangelands.
The Environmental Pivot: Keeping herd sizes in harmony with available forage prevents the overconsumption of young vegetation, ensuring the land remains resilient against droughts and heavy rain events.
Global & Local Evidence: Field research within Lesotho reveals a clear reality check: heavy overstocking actually reduces sheep weight, lowers wool yields, and drops lamb survival rates. Fewer, healthier animals grazing on thriving pastures yield a much higher market value than a massive, malnourished herd.