Towards an equitable transition to sustainable and low emission livestock systems in Africa
Convening and reception
Two of the greatest challenges facing the livestock sector in African food systems today are meeting the growing demand for animal sourced foods, expected to triple by 2050, whilst ensuring production systems are resilient to climate change and sustainable. Climate-smart livestock systems, when well-managed, offer multiple benefits that are crucial for transforming food systems. They enhance productivity, offer better livelihood opportunities for women and the youth, contribute to lowering emissions, improve soil health, and boost biodiversity and ecosystem services.
To effectively transform livestock systems, it is critical to advance integrated approaches which leverage i) the diversity of systems, such as semi-intensive, mixed farming and pastoralist systems, and ii) innovations in animal health, genetics and nutrition delivered singly or as bundles of solutions.
Three major issues that impact livestock’s potential, particularly in Africa, are interlinked and must be addressed in tandem. First the need for improved breeds and leveraging the genetic and digital revolution to ensure farmers have the right breeds that mitigate emissions, are adaptable to a changing climate and are still productive. Second, the burden of disease which undermines the efficiency, profitability and sustainability of animal agriculture in Africa. Thirdly, feed has consistently posed a central challenge in establishing sustainable livestock systems, particularly in Africa. However, advancements in attaining climate benefits that bolster smallholder incomes and improve human nutrition hinge on enhancements in animal health.
While efforts exist to address these challenges, there is currently no initiative that brings all the above elements together in a way that scales and accelerates action for smallholder-drive livestock systems prevalent in the global South. With support from the Ballmer Group, USAID and ILRI are convening like-minded partners to explore the establishment of a Climate Smart Livestock Hub to drive adapting and developing solutions to fit the widely dispersed small-holder driven livestock production systems that dominate Africa. This Hub seeks to unify dispersed efforts and investments to achieve greater impact and deliver climate smart livestock systems that can address the climate crisis.
The overall aim of the convening is to develop a vision and build consensus on the emerging agenda for the hub and secure commitments to drive it forward. The convening will bring together research and development organizations, governments, donors, banks, private sector and other key stakeholders.
Organizers: USAID and ILRI
Invite only.