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Mention d'édition : Collection Update Sciences & Technologies; National audience

International audience

International audience; Pastoral systems play a predominant part in the economy of Sahelean countries by contributing to the food security of rural as well as urban households. But this breeding system based on managing natural routes cannot yet successfully adapt itself to the current context characterised since the 1970’s by great agricultural - ecological and institutional changes. The endogenous evolution of these systems needs to be supported to better meet these changes and the implementation of adapted policies is needed to avoid crises and conflicts. Some research work has been carried out by various organisms on this major economics. The one led by LEAD (Livestock, Environment And Development Initiative) has contributed to the understanding of the biological phenomena involved in breeding - environment interactions. The renewed understanding of breeding - environment interactions, the dynamics of current initiatives and new pastoralism diagnosis and evaluation tools laid the foundations of SIPSA (Information System on Pastoralism in the Sahel) that was launched in 2002 to promote the taking into account of pastoralismenvironment interactions in extensive livestock breeding policies and practices in Sahelean arid zone. This information and early warning system is today displayed in six Sahelean countries and has, in the future, to put an end to the lack of indicators and information specific to pastoral systems to make it possible for breeders and political makers to better manage spaces, resources and societies. This paper describes the implementation of this decision making help system in Senegal by a national coordination committee (CNC), hard data to indicators and information products co-built with different actors.