The total area of pastures reaches 9.15 million hectares.
Fund specialists note that the mountainous terrain requires herders to move animals seasonally. In winter, livestock is placed on low mountain pastures, as heavy snowfall makes access to high-altitude lands difficult. Summer pastures, located at higher altitudes, provide animals with nutritious grass, which contributes to their health and productivity.
According to IFAD, about 4.5 million hectares, which is half of the country's pasture area, are subject to degradation. One of the main reasons for this process is the sharp increase in the number of cattle and sheep, leading to overgrazing. From 2007 to 2016, the number of cattle increased by 37%, and sheep by 68%.
Climate changes, such as a temperature rise of 2–3°C, an increase in precipitation by 12–18%, and frequent mudflows (7–10 per year), also negatively impact the condition of pastures.
