Livestock and food security: vulnerability to population growth and climate change

Abstract

Livestock production is an important contributor to sustainable food security for many nations, particularly in low-income areas and marginal habitats that are unsuitable for crop production. Animal products account for approximately one-third of global human protein consumption. Here, a range of indicators, derived from FAOSTAT and World Bank statistics, are used to model the relative vulnerability of nations at the global scale to predicted climate and population changes, which are likely to impact on their use of grazing livestock for food. Vulnerability analysis has been widely used in global change science to predict impacts on food security and famine. It is a tool that is useful to inform policy decision making and direct the targeting of interventions. The model developed shows that nations within sub-Saharan Africa, particularly in the Sahel region, and some Asian nations are likely to be the most vulnerable. Livestock-based food security is already compromised in many areas on these continents and suffers constraints from current climate in addition to the lack of economic and technical support allowing mitigation of predicted climate change impacts. Governance is shown to be a highly influential factor and, paradoxically, it is suggested that current self-sufficiency may increase future potential vulnerability because trade networks are poorly developed. This may be relieved through freer trade of food products, which is also associated with improved governance. Policy decisions, support and interventions will need to be targeted at the most vulnerable nations, but given the strong influence of governance, to be effective, any implementation will require considerable care in the management of underlying structural reform.

An Overview of Mitigation and Adaptation Needs and Strategies for the Livestock Sector

“…Godber and Wall (2014) [31] found that sub-Saharan Africa countries and some in Asia are among the most vulnerable to CC as their food security will be under threat. They also argue that in those countries, the lack of economic and technical support for CC adaptation can make the situation worse.…”

“…They also argue that in those countries, the lack of economic and technical support for CC adaptation can make the situation worse. Note that livestock are an important rural food source in these regions, especially during poor harvest years [31]. Mosnier et al (2014) [32] modeled CC impacts on food security in four east Asian countries.…”

Digital Technologies and Sustainable Livestock Systems in Rural Communities

“…Livestock systems are vulnerable from socio-economic, environmental and political factors and for the systems to be sustainable, these issues need to be addressed (Godber & Wall, 2014;Martin & Magne, 2015;Thornton et al, 2014). Even though DTs can be integrated into the livestock system, creating the desired impact is a totally different issue.…”

Achieving Water and Food Security in 2050: Outlook, Policies, and Investments

“…Livestock systems also are subject to potentially substantial impacts of climate change, with notable implications for food security and welfare, particularly in lower income countries [61][62][63][64]. Sustained high temperatures can impair livestock health and productivity, directly, while water shortages and higher ozone levels in the atmosphere can reduce the yields of livestock feed [65][66][67][68].…”