Livestock & Pastoral Systems
Livestock value chains in emerging economies currently tend to be characterised as being fragmented, inefficient, and demonstrating low competitiveness, with high food losses
The required infrastructure at the key value chain nodes is not adequate and there is a lack of disease monitoring and control facilities and capacities, livestock breeding centres, feedlots, certified slaughter facilities, cold storage, and processing facilities. The absence of certified livestock production and meat processing further limits the access of smallholders to value chain services as well as higher value markets. Smallholders also face other challenges in terms of their limited capacity to monitor, prepare for and control and address livestock diseases and respond to the food safety concerns. The lack of adequate regulatory frameworks as well as poor separation of the public and private sector roles in animal health delivery also contribute to increased risks and costs in livestock production. More widely, pastoralist societies are often characterised by insecurity, such as in the Sahel region, where state fragility, further impacted by climate change, limits access to fodder, pastures, water sources, and marketing opportunities.
NIRAS’ experience demonstrates that the multi-functional nature of dairy, small ruminants, and chicken also mean that they provide marketable produce in support of smallholder livelihoods, helping to mitigate crop failures and being the de facto savings account for farmers while also constituting an essential source of protein and nutrients, particularly during early childhood development.
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Highlighted Projects
Build inclusive and climate change resilient communities through diversified agriculture and livestock production
Climate Just Communities (CJC) programme is a flagship programme financed by the Scottish government aiming to deliver climate justice interventions that tackle inequalities exacerbated by climate change and build communities resilience to the material and social impacts of climate change in Zambia. Through a Community-Led Farmer Field School approach, over 5,000 farmers have been trained in climate resilient agriculture and livestock husbandry, as well as in irrigated farming. The project is supporting households to improve their asset bases through small livestock distribution and related health services, providing goats and chickens to vulnerable households with comprehensive veterinary support. This targeted support aims to strengthen the asset base of participating households, offering them a reliable source of income and nutrition that is less susceptible to the uncertainties of crop production. By equipping farmers with knowledge in livestock husbandry and ensuring ongoing animal health services, the programme fosters improved household resilience, nutritional outcomes, and economic stability, particularly in communities facing heightened risks due to climate change.
In addition, the project supports households to start vegetable gardens, distributing vegetable seeds and seedlings to over 700 farmers. These farmers are then linked to markets for surplus vegetables through off-taker agreements, resulting in improved household nutrition and higher household incomes. This intervention aims to enhance household nutritional capacity while also providing vegetable growers with the opportunity to increase their income.
The project has thus far distributed over 9,000 livestock (goats and chickens) to over 2,500 vulnerable households and in total reached over 32,000 direct beneficiaries and over 79,000 indirect beneficiaries.
Invest in sustainable infrastructure for pastoralist communities
Regional Migration Fund in the Horn of Africa (RMF), financed by KfW and operating under the Intergovernmental Authority on Development (IGAD), prioritises investments in the livestock sector to strengthen community resilience and promote sustainable livelihoods. Core infrastructure projects have focused on providing reliable water sources for both people and livestock, including the construction of boreholes and the development of water resources. These initiatives are complemented by capacity building and technical support, ensuring that communities can manage and maintain water infrastructure effectively for livestock needs.
Further livestock-centred interventions include the establishment and improvement of livestock markets and trading sites, alongside transport and logistics activities that facilitate the safe and efficient movement of animals. Training programmes address environmental sustainability, market operations, and maintenance, empowering communities to adopt best practices and enhance economic opportunities in livestock trading.
Additionally, RMF supports social cohesion and community development within livestock-rearing communities, fostering collaboration and strengthening the foundations for long-term sector growth. NIRAS coordinates the implementation of these livestock-focused activities, guiding stakeholders, managing operations, and ensuring that cross-cutting measures—such as environmental management, gender sensitivity, and capacity building—are fully integrated into every stage of the project.
