Introduction
Livestock systems support the livelihoods of over one billion people globally and are central to food security, nutrition, income generation, and rural resilience. However, conventional livestock production faces growing challenges from climate change, land degradation, water scarcity, and rising greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Climate variability is increasing the frequency of droughts, heat stress, and pasture degradation, disproportionately affecting smallholders, pastoralists, women, and marginal communities.
Climate-Smart Livestock and Pasture Management (CSLPM) offers an integrated solution that enhances productivity and resilience while reducing emissions and restoring ecosystems. This proposal aims to transform livestock systems through sustainable pasture management, improved animal health and nutrition, climate-resilient breeds, and community-led governance, contributing to sustainable food systems and climate goals.
Problem Statement
Livestock-dependent communities face multiple interconnected challenges:
- Degraded rangelands and overgrazing leading to soil erosion and biodiversity loss
- Low livestock productivity due to poor feed quality, diseases, and heat stress
- High vulnerability to climate shocks such as droughts and floods
- Limited access to veterinary services, markets, and climate information
- Rising methane and nitrous oxide emissions from inefficient production systems
Women and youth, despite playing key roles in livestock care, often lack access to resources, extension services, and decision-making power. Without targeted interventions, these challenges threaten livelihoods, food security, and climate commitments.
Goal and Objectives
Overall Goal
To enhance climate resilience, productivity, and sustainability of livestock systems while improving livelihoods and reducing environmental impacts.
Specific Objectives
- Restore and sustainably manage pastures and rangelands.
- Improve livestock productivity, health, and nutrition using climate-smart practices.
- Reduce GHG emissions intensity from livestock systems.
- Strengthen livelihoods and inclusion of women, youth, and pastoral communities.
- Enhance institutional capacity and policy integration for climate-smart livestock development.
Target Groups and Beneficiaries
- Smallholder livestock farmers
- Pastoralists and agro-pastoral communities
- Women involved in livestock rearing and dairy value chains
- Rural youth and producer cooperatives
- Local governments and extension agencies
The project will directly benefit approximately 12,000 households, with at least 50% women beneficiaries, and indirectly benefit wider rural communities and consumers.
Project Components and Key Activities
- Component 1: Sustainable Pasture and Rangeland Management
- Implement rotational and controlled grazing systems.
- Restore degraded pastures using reseeding, fodder legumes, and native grasses.
- Promote silvopastoral systems integrating trees, shrubs, and forage.
- Establish community pasture management committees and grazing plans.
- Component 2: Climate-Smart Livestock Nutrition and Feeding
- Improve fodder availability through climate-resilient fodder crops.
- Promote fodder banks, haymaking, and silage production.
- Introduce feed supplementation and balanced ration advisory services.
- Reduce enteric methane emissions through improved feed quality.
- Component 3: Animal Health, Breeding, and Welfare
- Strengthen veterinary outreach and mobile animal health services.
- Promote climate-resilient and locally adapted livestock breeds.
- Improve housing to reduce heat stress and disease risks.
- Train farmers on animal welfare and biosecurity measures.
- Component 4: Water Management and Climate Risk Reduction
- Develop water harvesting structures and livestock watering points.
- Promote efficient water use and drought contingency planning.
- Integrate early warning systems and climate information services.
- Support disaster preparedness and livestock insurance schemes.
- Component 5: Livelihoods, Markets, and Value Chains
- Strengthen dairy, meat, and small ruminant value chains.
- Support women-led producer groups and cooperatives.
- Improve access to cold chains, processing, and local markets.
- Promote value addition and quality assurance for livestock products.
- Component 6: Capacity Building and Digital Extension
- Train farmers on climate-smart livestock practices and pasture management.
- Deploy digital tools for advisory services, disease reporting, and market access.
- Establish demonstration sites and peer learning networks.
Gender Equality and Social Inclusion
The project will ensure gender-responsive and inclusive approaches by:
- Prioritizing women’s access to training, credit, and livestock assets.
- Supporting women’s leadership in producer organizations.
- Engaging youth through skill development and agri-enterprises.
- Ensuring culturally appropriate approaches for pastoral communities.
Environmental and Climate Benefits
- Reduced GHG emissions per unit of livestock product.
- Improved soil carbon sequestration through restored pastures.
- Enhanced biodiversity and ecosystem services.
- Reduced land degradation and improved water retention.
Implementation Strategy
The project will be implemented over 36–48 months through partnerships with:
- Government livestock and agriculture departments
- NGOs and community-based organizations
- Research institutions and veterinary services
- Private sector input and service providers
Implementation will follow a phased approach: baseline assessment, pilot interventions, scaling, and institutionalization.
Monitoring, Evaluation, and Learning (MEL)
Key indicators include:
- Hectares of pasture restored and sustainably managed
- Increase in livestock productivity and income
- Reduction in livestock mortality and disease incidence
- Adoption rate of climate-smart practices
- GHG emission intensity reductions
Participatory monitoring and digital data systems will support adaptive management.
Sustainability and Scaling Strategy
Sustainability will be ensured through:
- Community ownership of pasture governance systems
- Cost recovery through improved productivity and market access
- Integration with national climate and livestock policies
- Private sector engagement and blended finance models
Risk Analysis and Mitigation
Risks include drought severity, land tenure conflicts, and market volatility. Mitigation measures involve diversified fodder systems, inclusive governance, and market linkages.
Alignment with Global and National Frameworks
- SDGs X, X, X, X, XX, and XX
- FAO Climate-Smart Agriculture Framework
- Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)
- UN Decade on Ecosystem Restoration
Conclusion
Climate-Smart Livestock and Pasture Management is a critical pathway to resilient livelihoods, sustainable food systems, and climate mitigation. By restoring ecosystems, empowering communities, and improving livestock productivity, this project delivers long-term benefits for people, planet, and prosperity while supporting national and global climate goals.
