South Asia houses approximately one fifth of the world’s human and livestock populations. It also harbours the largest number of poor; based on the international poverty line of $1 a day, the World Bank estimates that 43 percent of the world’s poor live in this region. Although the incidence of poverty has declined in recent years, the decline has not been sufficient to lead to a reduction in the absolute number of poor. Over 80 percent of all poor in South Asia live in rural areas, and directly or indirectly depend on agriculture and livestock for their livelihood.

The linkage between poor peoples’ livelihoods and livestock is perhaps stronger in South Asia than in any other region of the world. For example, in India, more than 55 percent of cows and buffaloes and more than 60 percent of sheep are kept on farms of less than two hectares. Similarly in Bangladesh, 58 percent of cows and 68 percent of sheep and goats are held on farms below one hectare, making a significant contribution to poor people’s livelihoods.

An important element of the Pro-Poor Livestock Policy Initiative’s (PPLPI) South Asia work program comprises livestock policy-oriented research and analysis in policy areas targeted towards the specific needs and characteristics of the region’s poor. Areas identified that can benefit the poor include: improving producers’ capacity to articulate and advocate their interests; increasing access to shared resources such as forests and pastures; pro-poor implementation of animal health service reforms; liberalization of the dairy sector; and support to small ruminant production.

Within South Asia, the PPLPI has focussed its activities in the State of Andhra Pradesh, India. In collaboration with the Swiss-funded ‘capitalization of livestock programme’ (CALPI) the Initiative has built a pro-poor livestock policy network in Andhra Pradesh, which is working towards pro-poor animal health service reforms.