The livestock sector creates livelihoods for an estimated one billion people world-wide. Not only is the consumption of milk, meat and eggs an important source of protein and micronutrients and hence a crucial pillar of food security for the rural poor in particular. For many people, the sale of animal products is the most important, if not the only, source of income. In addition, the animals are a significant multifunctional asset. They provide dung, raising soil fertility, they are simultaneously beasts of burden and tractors, and they represent “hoofed insurance”, not to mention the social prestige that they endow their owners with in several societies. In spite of its important role, animal production has been an unfavourable topic in the development debate – mainly because of its environmental impact. Our authors show the challenges confronting livestock keepers around the world and ways to address them.

Articles:

• The silent sheep revolution
• Livestock matter
• Livestock: recyclers that promote the sustainability of smallholder farms
• Tropical forage-based systems for climate-smart livestock production in Latin America
• Pasture management in Central Asia – regional learning for reform
• Pastoralism and conflict – two sides of a coin?
• Linking poor livestock keepers to markets
• Milk production pays off! – Experiences of a DPPP approach in Northern Sri Lanka
• Food security and poverty mitigation through smallholder dairy – the Zambian case
• Animal husbandry in cities – using potentials, reducing risks
• What is needed for reducing the greenhouse gas footprint?
• The insatiable hunger for cheap meat
• Mindsets for sustainability – let’s start with feed!