Small scale production synonym2/29/2024 This effort has included many programmes aimed at delivering high-quality feed options to smallholder livestock keepers, but the evidence for their effectiveness is sparse 8. Although access to enough high-quality feed is generally agreed to be the main constraint on better productivity 6, 7, the livestock feed challenge has proved to be intractable despite considerable research and development effort over the past three decades. Poor productivity is caused by many factors including unimproved genetic stock, inadequate veterinary provision and a general scarcity of high-quality inputs. For example, sub-Saharan Africa is a livestock greenhouse gas emissions intensity hotspot mainly because yields are low 5. Moreover, increasing per-animal productivity is essential for environmental sustainability as systems intensify. For example, the average cow milk yields in Western Europe are 20 times higher than in Eastern Africa 4. Currently, livestock productivity is much lower in LMICs than in high-income countries 3. A key challenge therefore is to identify and promote solutions to increase livestock production and productivity. ![]() Unlike in the Global North, in LMICs, urbanization and growth in incomes and populations are fuelling strong growth in the demand for livestock products. As well as providing income and financial security for the rural poor, livestock products are a vital source of protein and micronutrients in regions where their regular supply could reduce the currently high prevalence of childhood stunting 2. One billion poor people in Low- and Middle-Income Countries (LMICs) derive part of their livelihood from livestock 1. This scoping review highlights the gap in evidence for the adoption of new livestock feeding practices and provides recommendations to support farmers’ uptake of feed interventions. A total of 58 papers looked at adoption, 19 at productivity change and 22 at livelihood change. Of the 73 papers, only 6 reported combined evidence of adoption, effect on productivity and livelihood changes. Only papers that reported farmers’ decision to use a new feed intervention were selected, thereby excluding feeding trials and participatory feed assessments. ![]() In total, 22,981 papers were identified, of which 73 papers were included in the final analysis after a rigorous double-blind screening review. This scoping review assessed the evidence for the uptake of improved ruminant livestock feed options, the effect of this uptake on livestock productivity and the degree to which this improves smallholder farmer livelihoods. Improved livestock feeding has been identified as the most important step towards higher productivity. Livestock support the livelihoods of one billion people in Africa, Asia and Latin America, but the productivity of animals remains low, reducing the potential of the sector to support higher incomes and better nutrition.
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