Samburu pastoralist and his animals (ILRI / Kabir Dhanji).

Enhancing livestock investments for climate-resilient and inclusive policy implementation

ILRI News
Posted on
by

The CGIAR Research Initiative on Sustainable Animal Productivity (SAPLING) and Livestock and Climate (LCSR), led by the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), recently partnered with the Botswana University of Agriculture and Natural Resources (BUAN) for a pivotal side event at the All-Africa Conference on Animal Agriculture (AACAA8). The event focused on enhancing livestock investments for climate-resilient and inclusive policy implementation in Africa.

The livestock sector in Africa is fundamental for food security and livelihoods, yet it faces significant challenges like low productivity, inadequate investment and climate-related issues. Key speakers emphasised the importance of comprehensive policies, collaborative efforts and innovative strategies to address these challenges.

Sarah Ossiya from the African Union Inter-African Bureau for Animal Resources (AU-IBAR) highlighted the necessity of collaboration among various stakeholders in livestock development, 'My background is research, and science does have an important role in developing this sector. But since joining the African Union, I’ve realised that science, policy, finance and engaging development partners all must come together.' Sirak Bahta of ILRI discussed the impact and success of Livestock Master Plans (LMPs) in Tanzania, emphasising improved productivity and market growth.

The event underscored the significance of climate-resilient policies, inclusion of women and youth and stakeholder engagement in policymaking. Laura Cramer and Isabelle Baltenweck from ILRI stressed the need for integrating climate action into livestock policies and ensuring gender-inclusive approaches for sustainable development.

Lilian Satia, a young dairy entrepreneur in Nakuru, Kenya has started a milk bar with other youth (ILRI / Georgina Smith).
Lilian Satia, a young dairy entrepreneur in Nakuru, Kenya has started a milk bar with other youth (ILRI / Georgina Smith).

The session also addressed challenges in policy implementation and advocated for innovative financing mechanisms. Speakers highlighted the importance of government commitment, private sector involvement and collaboration to drive investment in the livestock sector.

Looking ahead, the focus shifts towards evidence-based policies, gender inclusivity and climate-responsive strategies to ensure the sector's success. Patrick Malope from BUAN reiterated the importance of investment in policy implementation and prioritising investments using tools like LMPs.

The event's outcomes emphasised the need for concerted efforts, evidence-based policymaking, and collaborative partnerships to drive sustainable and inclusive livestock sector development in Africa.

Read the full article on cgiar.org.