Sustainable Livestock Management For Poverty Alleviation and Food Security

2012 | Business & Finance

An estimated 70% of the world's rural poor rely on livestock for their livelihoods while facing rapidly changing socio-economic and ecological conditions. Under these conditions, good animal husbandry and health are more important than ever. This practical learning guide demonstrates ways to understand and improve livestock keeping, with an emphasis on smallholder farming conditions. Included is an array of ways to improve animal husbandry, clearly differentiated according to the two most common types of smallholder livestock keeping systems: low-input diversified livestock keeping and more specialized livestock keeping. For each of these systems a 'Wheel of Animal Production and Wellbeing' is presented, on the basis of which improvements can be designed and adapted to fit local circumstances.By taking into account existing resources and sustainable farming initiatives, this book helps us to recognize and properly support livestock keeping in integrated smallholder agriculture. With proper attention, animals can become an even more vital part of smallholder farms and provide positive benefits such as food, manure, draft power, extra income and cultural identity.

In turn, these sustainable livestock production systems protect and enhance the local environment.

Katrien van't Hooft (Author)

Terry S. Wollen (Author)

D.P. Bhandari (Author)