Adaptive livestock production models for rural livelihoods transformation

Abstract

Over 60% of land in southern Africa is suitable for livestock production and the contribution to gross domestic product is about 36%. Livestock play important roles in rural livelihood systems including food provision like meat and milk, services like draught power and transport, nutrient supply through manure, and key sociocultural roles like bride price and household firm. However, climate change threatens livestock industry through loss of feed-base, increased disease incidences, and increased global footprint for greenhouse gas production, more restrictive livestock production polices. More difficulties in livestock industry would lead to low supply of livestock products, low off-take, under developed marketing infrastructure, and poor market access leading to increased poverty in rural households. The main objective of this chapter is to explore opportunities for livestock production and marketing systems that can transform the livestock industry and help to build resilience through climate-smart technologies. Livestock is a form of wealth, source of draught power and manure; however, the livestock contributes to greenhouse gases through belching and manure mineralization. Production systems should take into account increased productivity with reduced environmental pollution.