Drylands contribute more to the economy than previously
recognized 10 September 2007 | International news release A
series of case studies by the World Conservation Union (IUCN)
has revealed the economic contribution of drylands needs to be
revalued Drylands are not wastelands. That is the message from
the World Conservation Union (IUCN), which is calling for the
contributions of drylands to national and international
economies to be revalued. Recent case studies have shown that
pastoralist economies need to be better accommodated in national
development planning. In the vast dry region of Agadez in Niger,
for example, pastoralism represents the main source of cash
income to households (46%). Almost half of this value, in turn,
can be attributed to wild fodder from extensive grazing. The
value of some other non-timber forest products collected from
drylands is estimated at more than 7% of national GDP, almost
double the value reported in official national accounts. Joshua
Bishop, IUCN’s Senior Economic Advise