Compilation of proceedings of the 2nd ILCA/NAPRI symposium on livestock production in subhumid Nigeria discussing the ecology, vegetation & land use & development potential of the zone; traditional cattle & small ruminant production practices; research updates in livestock systems research, animal nutrition & feed production; extension & adoption of innovations; and future research.

Provides a brief outline of the theory and practice of livestock systems research, and presents the fruits of both ILCA's own long experience of livestock systems research and of expertise and efforts of others in the field. The manual may be of use to a wide audience, including those who need to study livestock systems in Africa in the context of development activities rather than research.

As global demand for livestock products (such as meat, milk, and eggs) is expected to double by 2050, necessary

increases to future production must be reconciled with negative environmental impacts that livestock cause. This

paper describes the LivestockPlus concept and demonstrates how the sowing of improved forages can lead to the

sustainable intensification of mixed crop–forage–livestock–tree systems in the tropics by producing multiple social,

economic, and environmental benefits. Sustainable intensification not only improves the productivity of tropical

Although water is a renewable natural resource, it has become insufficient at the global level. Unless the current efficiency level of water use can be increased, the trend of water shortages will become more serious. Among agricultural activities, livestock production is mostly considered an intensive water consuming operation although the knowledge and information related to livestock-water interaction app ears to be limited in scope.

A study was conducted in southern Mali to analyze and document existing local conventions governing the management of natural resources in the mixed crop-livestock systems. Both the Participatory Rural Appraisal (PRA) and individual interviews were conducted to collect information. In total, the group discussions included 27 administrative and technical services and 53 community authorities all genders combined, and individual surveys involving 165 farmers including 54 women.

Although Climate-Smart Agricultural (CSA) practices are expected to boost adaptive capacity, food security and climate change mitigation in resource poor, smallholder farming systems, the barriers that can restrict its uptake are diverse. This study investigated the barriers hindering CSA practice adoption in the Santander department of Colombia as well as farmer perceptions of practice benefits and disadvantages.

Although Climate-Smart Agricultural (CSA) practices are expected to boost adaptive capacity, food security and climate change mitigation in resource poor, smallholder farming systems, the barriers that can restrict their uptake are diverse. This study investigated the principal barriers hindering the adoption of CSA practices in the Upper West region of Ghana with the aim of inventorying existing uptake of CSA and providing recommendations to CCAFS as to practices with potential for further research or implementation on the farm level.