Domesticated animals have been a pillar of rural societies for millennia. About 60 per cent of rural households keep some form of livestock. They provide companionship and nutritious food, transport fertilizer and support the livelihoods of households around the world. Livestock is also vital to traditional ways of life for many rural and Indigenous communities.

That is why 65 per cent of IFAD projects include livestock investments. Here’s what we’ve learned about how small-scale farmers can rely on animals while protecting our planet.