Livestock rearing is a system that supports millions of families in the global south with food and income, but farmers say it is under siege.
On one front, climate change is exerting pressure on livestock systems, with extreme weather such as prolonged droughts and floods leading to less fodder and the spread of new diseases, as heat stress reduces the farm animals’ productivity.
On the other, the sector contributes up to 14.5% of global greenhouse gas emissions per year, and a growing number of pressure groups are pushing for the elimination of livestock products from the free market space.
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About the author
David Njagi
David Njagi is a Kenya-based Devex Contributing Reporter with over 12 years’ experience in the field of journalism. He graduated from the Technical University of Kenya with a diploma in journalism and public relations. He has reported for local and international media outlets, such as the BBC Future Planet, Reuters AlertNet, allAfrica.com, Inter Press Service, Science and Development Network, Mongabay Reporting Network, and Women’s Media Center.
