Global warming: Impact, adaptation and amelioration strategies for bovine under tropical climatic conditions

Abstract

Livestock are exposed to different climatic extreme events such as high air temperature, humidity, flood, drought, desert, heat wave, feed, fodder and water scarcity etc. which now seems to be very common in the tropical and subtropical climatic conditions. The climate change scenario is assumed to be a major threat to animal production systems under tropical climate. The demand of food or the food security issue compel us to undertake holistic approach to sustainable livestock production system that may be one of the remedies for fulfilling the demand of fast growing population. The objective of this review is to focus on the major effect on dairy production system and different strategies to overcome the adverse effect of heat stress under tropical climatic conditions. The identificationof unique adaptive traits between and within breeds and their propagation seem to be essential in near future in respect of climate change scenario. The management and feeding strategies proved to be beneficial for relieving adverse effects of heat stress for maintaining the productivity of dairy animals. Nevertheless, decision makers, extension services and research institutions have to support and encourage livestock activities to enhance the animal productivity under changed climate scenario.