An immersive project to showcase pastoralism
An immersive film exhibition
The Transhumances 360° – a world tour of pastoralism project is a virtual reality experience that immerses the public in the heart of pastoral mobility. Developed by CIRAD in partnership with AFD for the 2026 International Agricultural Show, this immersive exhibition aims to highlight an essential pastoral practice that is little known to the general public: transhumance.
Five transhumances were filmed in 360°. Thanks to the use of virtual reality headsets, viewers are immersed in the atmosphere of pastoralism for a few minutes. They discover wide open spaces, iconic animals, and people who are fully connected to their environment. This work aims to show the general public unique and rare moments in the lives of shepherds around the world.
This map shows rangelands on a global scale. 45% of the Earth’s land surface is rangeland. Rangelands are defined as natural ecosystems used by herbivorous animals (wild or farmed). They consist of desert and arid, semi-arid, and sub-humid regions with a wide variety of environments.
Five countries, five ecosystems, five animal species
Transhumances 360° offers a world tour of pastoral practices through several iconic locations across five countries on four continents:
- Argentina: llama rotation in the Andean puna
- France: Summer grazing of a flock of sheep in the Alps
- Mongolia: Seasonal mobility of yak herders in the steppes
- Senegal: Pastoral and agro-pastoral mobility of zebu cattle in a Sudanese peri-urban context
- Chad: Large herds of nomadic camels in the Sahel
These five transhumances attempt to represent the vast diversity of pastoral systems around the world.
International Year of Pastoralism and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026)
This project is part of the International Year of Pastoralism and Pastoralists (IYRP 2026), proclaimed by the United Nations. It aims to raise awareness among the public and decision-makers about the importance of pastoralism for societies, territories, and ecosystems.
The exhibition is presented at key IYRP events, offering a concrete, sensitive, and visual insight into the lives of pastoralists on four continents. The immersive exhibition is designed as a space for dialogue between science and society, mediation, and awareness-raising in favor of pastoralism stakeholders at both major international and national events highlighting this international year.
Through their projects, CIRAD and AFD are committed to supporting pastoralism around the world.
The film crew
The production company Imagéo was responsible for filming and editing the films, with director Tristan Parry and director of photography Anthony Francin. Imagéo specializes in producing institutional documentary films on development initiatives around the world.
This production team was supported by CIRAD through the SELMET joint research unit in selecting and preparing the sites and filming the movies.
The project also involves numerous scientists, institutions, and partners in each of the countries filmed, contributing to the creation of a unique educational, scientific, and artistic tool. It is the result of a scientific and partnership network developed by CIRAD over the past twenty years on pastoralism.