Managing livestock in drought-prone areas of the Middle East and North Africa: Policy issues

Drought insurance for agricultural development and food security in dryland areas

“…In the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region, feed subsidy programs have been widely used to provide supplementary feed to safeguard livestock in drought years, with the predominant expenditure going for subsidies toward the costs and distribution of concentrates and other feeds, especially barley (Hazell et al 2003). 2 These programs have been quite successful in protecting livestock numbers and production during droughts, but they have also encouraged unsustainable farming practices and have benefited large herders rather than small.…”

Governmental response to climate risk: Model-based assessment of livestock supplementation in drylands

“…Under such programs, farmers receive supplementary fodder in order to maintain their livestock as the source of their livelihood. In Morocco, this approach showed some success: a drought in 1995 resulted in a cereal production decline of 17% of the preceding year, while livestock numbers were not much affected (Hazell et al, 2003). However, despite the positive effects of this form of drought relief, negative impacts may also result.…”

The Role of Markets for Managing Agricultural Risks in Developing Countries

“…In the West Asia and North Africa (WANA) region, feed subsidy programs have been widely used to provide supplementary feed to safeguard livestock in drought years, with the predominant expenditure going for subsidies toward the costs and distribution of concentrates and other feeds, especially barley (Hazell, Oram and Chaherli, 2001). These programs have been quite successful in protecting livestock numbers and production during droughts, but they have also encouraged unsustainable farming practices.…”