Table 2 Summer grazing options for local herders in Rasht Valley

Option 1: Keep in village pasture

Part of an aggregated village herd and herded by members of livestock-owning households on a rotating basis

• Cheaper (no need to pay for herding labour)

• Able to obtain milk (cattle only)

• Reduced risk of livestock theft, loss, or injury

Option 2: Send to remote pasture

Herded by professional herders as part of a larger herd

• Livestock gain more weight (higher-quality, more abundant forage)

• No need to allocate household labour to herding