This pioneering work, which addresses economic, productive, socio-cultural, political, and governance aspects, aims to provide information and evidence on transhumant livestock farming. According to a spokesperson for the research team, this practice is a "living heritage of immense cultural, social, and ecological value" that offers keys for sustainable interaction with ecosystems and food production.
The results of this "radiography" of transhumance in Spain reveal great diversity among shepherds, who, despite their differences, share a common cultural and practical basis. This foundation has been shaped by political, economic, and ecological pressures and circumstances, demonstrating high resilience against external factors such as agricultural intensification policies, market volatility, and climate change.
“"Our work provides transversal and updated information on a system that, although discursively valued, lacks current and detailed data."
The research, based on 84 interviews with transhumant shepherds from eight Spanish regions, used a mixed approach. Qualitative analysis identified the most frequent perspectives on ecological, productive, economic, political, and social issues. On the other hand, quantitative methodology, using descriptive statistics and multivariate analyses, identified three distinct groups of transhumants.
These three groups are primarily linked to the drovers' roads and the territories where they carry out their activity. One group is associated with the Cañada Real Conquense, another with the Cañada Real Segoviana, and a third with Santiago-Pontones in Jaén. The first group, with an average age of 55, undertakes longer transhumances with large and mixed herds. The second group, younger (average age 47), focuses on cattle, especially the Avileña Negra Ibérica breed, with shorter transhumances and more diverse sales channels. Finally, the third group primarily practices transhumance between the Sierra de Segura and Sierra Morena, with smaller sheep herds and greater participation in sector associations.
The findings, published in the journal Sustainability: Science, Practice and Policy, highlight that despite the resilience and ecological and nutritional value of transhumance, there is an urgent need for greater political support and a regulatory framework to protect it, adapt to its particularities, dignify working conditions, and ensure generational succession.
