Transforming livestock systems for better efficiency, inclusiveness and resilience

Increasing the productivity of all livestock systems through innovations for improved feeding, genetics and husbandry practices is essential to contribute to the improvement of agrifood systems leaving no one behind.

In September 2023, FAO organized the first ever Global Conference on Sustainable Livestock Transformation for “better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life”. This was an opportunity to engage in dialogues on innovation and pathways to efficiently produce more nutritious, safe and accessible animal source foods with a reduced environmental footprint and contribute to vibrant local and diversified livestock systems that are more resilient to shocks and disruptions.

Following the Conference programme, have a look at these publications on better production, better nutrition, a better environment and a better life.

For more information, browse the latest FAO Publications catalogue.

Better production

Good practices for the feed sector – Implementing the Codex Alimentarius Code of Practice on Good Animal Feeding
The Codex Alimentarius Code of Practice on Good Animal Feeding is an important step for the expansion of international trade of feed and products of animal origin. This manual guides managers of feed mills, the feed industry as a whole and on-farm feed mixers and producers, as well as competent national authorities, in particular those engaged in feed inspection.

Africa Sustainable Livestock 2050: Livestock and viral emerging infectious diseases
Given the frequency of livestock–wildlife and subsequent livestock–human interactions, indirect transmission of zoonotic viruses from wildlife to humans via livestock provides an important pathway for disease emergence. This publication examines the extent to which mammalian livestock have been found to be susceptible to infection with zoonotic viruses and thereby have the potential to contribute to within- and cross-species virus propagation.

Animal nutrition strategies and options to reduce the use of antimicrobials in animal production
Antimicrobial resistance is a global and increasing threat. Stewardship campaigns have been established, and policies implemented, to safeguard the appropriate use of antimicrobials in humans, animals and plants. Producers are investing in measures, involving biosecurity, genetics, health care, farm management, animal welfare, and nutrition, to prevent diseases and minimize the use of antimicrobials. This knowledge, used to establish best practices in animal nutrition, could allow the adoption of strategies to reduce the need for antimicrobials and contain antimicrobial resistance.

Livestock and Agroecology – How they can support the transition towards sustainable food and agriculture
This brief reviews opportunities and challenges related to livestock’s potential to contribute to agroecological transition, focusing on four main themes, which rely on different elements of agroecology: supporting better livelihoods and creating added value; conserving and using diversity; recycling for better efficiency; and finally climate change mitigation and adaptation. It presents recommendations for a better inclusion of livestock in international efforts to transition to sustainable food and agriculture through upscaling and wider adoption of agroecology. 

Good beekeeping practices for sustainable apiculture
Bees play a major role in maintaining biodiversity, ensuring the survival of many plants, enhancing forest regeneration, providing sustainability and adaptation to climate change and improving the quality and quantity of agricultural production systems. Beekeeping, also called apiculture, refers to all activities concerned with the practical management of social bee species. These guidelines aim to provide useful information and suggestions for the sustainable management of bees around the world, which can then be applied to project development and implementation.

Development of integrated multipurpose animal recording systems
Animal identification and recording serves multiple purposes in a country’s livestock sector. It is a prerequisite to establish and operate any genetic improvement programme and it also contributes to animal traceability and disease control, as well as to deterring stock theft. These guidelines for development of integrated multipurpose animal recording systems have been prepared with the objective of helping countries not only to design and implement such systems but also to make them last in the long term.

Breeding Strategies for Sustainable Management of Animal Genetic Resources
Genetic improvement is an essential component of the management of animal genetic resources and can make important contributions to food security and rural development. Yet, the majority of developing countries have not been successful in sustaining breed development programmes. The objective of these guidelines is to help countries plan and develop effective genetic improvement programmes and to maximize the chances that such programmes will be sustained.

Better nutrition 

Contribution of terrestrial animal source food to healthy diets for improved nutrition and health outcomes – An evidence and policy overview on the state of knowledge and gaps
Livestock species are adapted to a wide range of environments, including areas that are unsuitable for crop production. Globally, more than a billion people depend on livestock value chains for their livelihoods, and small-scale livestock farmers and pastoralists make up a large proportion of livestock producers. This FAO publication provides a holistic analysis of the contribution of terrestrial animal source food to healthy diets for improved nutrition and health outcomes over the course of people’s lives.

Better environment

Global assessment of soil carbon in grasslands – From current stock estimates to sequestration potential
Soils contribute to the achievement of the UN Sustainable Development Goals through carbon sequestration. By enhancing soil health and fertility, soil can play a crucial role in climate action, land degradation neutrality, and alleviating hunger. The present FAO publication provides a spatially explicit report on the state of grassland soils and can be used as a baseline for future work to explore the impacts of livestock management on soil carbon at regional, country and farm levels.                                                                                                                       

Methane emissions in livestock and rice systems – Sources, quantification, mitigation and metrics
Addressing methane emissions from livestock and rice systems is vital for promoting sustainable agriculture and mitigating climate change. This report addresses methane emissions in agriculture and their impact on global greenhouse gas levels. By analyzing sources, sinks, quantification methods, and mitigation strategies, this publication highlights challenges and opportunities to reduce methane emissions from livestock and rice production systems. 

Innovations in cryoconservation of animal genetic resources – Practical guide
Cryoconservation of genetic resources through gene banking provides one of the most powerful tools governments and other stakeholders can use to manage genetic diversity. This guide summarizes the types of biological material that may be preserved in gene banks; presents the latest developments for commonly used materials like semen and embryos; and describes the benefits of novel materials such as primordial germ cells and gonadic tissues.

Livestock solutions for climate change
Livestock are an essential part of climate action on the ground in the agriculture sector. Ninety-two developing countries have included livestock in their nationally determined contributions (NDCs). More needs to be done as the livestock sector is growing rapidly. Livestock contribute 34 percent of global protein for human nutrition. But their contribution to food security and nutrition goes beyond this figure. This FAO publication provides a clear overview of the importance that the livestock sector can play in addressing climate change.

Better life 

A framework for gender-responsive livestock development – Contributing to a world free from hunger, malnutrition, poverty and inequality
Gender dynamics affect the ways in which the livestock sector contributes to sustaining livelihoods. Women comprise most poor livestock keepers in low- and middle-income countries but are less represented in scaled-up production enterprises and other income-earning livestock-related activities. This framework supports the formulation of action plans and guidance documents contributing to gender equality and women’s empowerment through livestock development. 

Pastoralism – Making variability work 
Pastoral systems have evolved to function with the natural environment and therefore with variability. Two main points are made in this document: first, pastoral systems are emblematic of farming with nature; second, pastoral systems make use of variability in inputs (the environment) by matching it with variability in their own operational processes (flexibility in movements, animal breeds, labour force, etc.) in such a way as to reduce the variability in outputs (animal production and health, household food security, etc.).

Further reading

• World Livestock: Transforming the livestock sector through the Sustainable Development Goals
• Shaping the future of livestock – Sustainably, responsibly, efficiently
• Five practical actions towards resilient, low-carbon livestock systems – In brief
• FAO Animal Production and Health – Annual report 2022
• Sustainable livestock transformation – A vision for FAO’s work on animal production and health