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Livestock

For smallholder farmers, a way out of poverty

Livestock contribute to the farming operations of more than 800 million poor smallholders. Rural households can improve their livelihoods by raising a wide variety of animals: cows, buffaloes, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry, camels, llamas, alpacas, horses, donkeys, rabbits and even bees.

It is estimated that the demand for livestock products will more than double over the next 20 years, due to urbanization, economic growth and a change in consumption patterns in developing countries. Livestock is one of the fastest growing agricultural subsectors in developing countries, accounting for about 30 per cent of agricultural GDP.

About 78 per cent of the world’s poor people live in rural areas and rely largely on agricultural work to put food on their plates and make a living. Smallholder farmers will need to become more productive, efficient and environmentally sustainable to meet the requirements of growing market demand, largely from urban areas. These requirements relate to food quality, food safety and consistency of supply.

A game changer for rural families

Small and large livestock can make a huge difference to women and men's incomes while strengthening household food and nutrition security and building resilience.

Livestock provide a wide range of nutritious, protein-rich foodstuffs, such as eggs, meat, milk, and honey, which can be processed into a variety of products. This contributes to the diversification of diets and generates income. They are a source of leather, pelts, and fibres such as wool, mohair and cashmere. Manure is used as fertilizer for crops and as fuel for cooking. It can be composted or used for the production of methane in biogas digesters. Finally, livestock provide draught power for crop cultivation, and transportation for people and goods to market.

Poor rural families with no access to financial services often use livestock as a form of asset management, investing in animals when they have extra money, and selling them when they need cash or other necessities. This strengthens the resilience of those families in the face of economic and climate shocks, enabling them to plan for the future.

Maximizing livestock’s potential

IFAD supports small farmers in making the most of their livestock by protecting animal health, boosting productivity and sustainability, and helping to link farmers to profitable markets.

IFAD-funded projects involve technology transfer, training, credit for restocking, animal health services delivery, feed and breed improvement, and best husbandry practices. Through our investments, smallholder producers and pastoralists gain added value from their livestock.

Over the years, IFAD has developed a wide range of processes and tools to improve the design and implementation of our livestock projects. We work closely with governments and partners to scale up successful livestock interventions so that we can reach larger numbers of smallholders and improve production systems at the farm level.

Spotlight

Spotlight

Winds of change for Argentina’s herders

Climate change poses a myriad of challenges for Argentina’s rural herders. But one woman has no intention of backing down and tells us how she plans to forge a new way forward.

Projects

Projects

Bolivia (Plurinational State of)

Integral Strengthening Programme for the Camelid Value Chain in the Bolivian High Plateau (Pro-Camélidos)

United Republic of Tanzania

Agricultural Sector Development Programme - Livestock: Support for Pastoral and Agro-Pastoral Development

Experts

Asset Publisher

Anne Mottet

Sustainable Production, Markets and Institutions Division (Livestock)

a.mottet@ifad.org

Stories and news

Stories and news

Winds of change for Argentina’s herders

May 2023 - STORY
Climate change poses a myriad of challenges for Argentina’s rural herders. But one woman has no intention of backing down and tells us how she plans to forge a new way forward.

Rural people in Sudan call time on water wars

February 2023 - STORY
As the climate crisis takes hold and water scarcity sparks conflict, rural people in Sudan are finding ways toward peace and equitable resource management.

How livestock in Lesotho is adapting to climate change

January 2023 - BLOG
An IFAD-FAO study from Lesotho provides valuable insight on how to mitigate against climate change while sustainably producing enough healthy food for everyone.

Sénégal : Le FIDA et le CNCR signent un accord de don pour l’amélioration des revenus des femmes et des jeunes entrepreneurs avicoles villageois

January 2023 - NEWS
Le FIDA et le Conseil national de concertation et de coopération des ruraux (CNCR) du Sénégal, viennent de signer un Accord de don pour améliorer les revenus des femmes et des jeunes entrepreneurs avicoles villageois ayant subi les conséquences des mesures restrictives prises pour faire face à la pandémie de Covid19.

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Related publications

Related publications

Photobook: Supporting Syrian refugees and host communities in Jordan

May 2023
The Small Ruminants Investment and Graduating Households in Transition Project (SIGHT) aims to reduce poverty and improve national food security among Syrian refugees and host communities in Jordan by providing a package of support to boost small-ruminant productivity.

IFAD Research Series No. 88: The Impact of Climate Change on Livestock Production in Mozambique

March 2023
This paper focuses on activities targeting improved pasture management, supplemental feed sources and livestock value chain development.

Introduction to community pasture management plans in Kyrgyzstan

December 2022
This publication synthesizes IFAD’s experience on introducing Community Pasture Management Plans in Kyrgyzstan and how the historical and legal context led to the creation of a modernized and sustainable pasture management system.