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CGIAR Initiative: Sustainable Animal Productivity for Livelihoods, Nutrition and Gender Inclusion

ransformation to a more sustainable and equitable livestock sector in Africa and Asia can secure and enhance the critical role livestock plays to support and improve livelihoods. Livestock is a fast growing, high value agriculture subsector, accounting for 15-80% of agricultural GDP in low and middle-income countries. In Africa and Asia, demand for livestock products is expected to grow 200-300% by 2030 depending on the region and commodity. This provides an opportunity for hundreds of millions of small- to medium-scale livestock producers who can meet the demand and provide nutrient dense foods for their families, countries, and regions.i The African Development Bank echoes other development leadersii﷟HYPERLINK "file:///C:\Users\KMarshall\OneDrive%20-%20CGIAR\Documents\2021%20Various\CGIAR%20Initiative%20on%20'Sustainably%20improving%20livestock%20productivity%20for%20improved%20livelihoods\Proposal%20on%20new%20template\SAPLING%20proposal%20Working%20Doc%20Sept%2028%20submission%20cleaned%20version%20%20KM%202.59%20pm.docx#a" iii iv in highlighting now as the time to “reposition livestock as a business activity with the potential to significantly improve food and nutrition security and drive inclusive [economic] growth.…” v     Failing to capitalize on this opportunity and meet demand could lead to a shortfall in livestock-derived foods (LDFs), which are a unique source of high-quality proteins and bioavailable essential micronutrients. Relatively small amounts of LDFs can substantially increase the nutrient adequacy of diets.vi vii But malnutrition remains high in livestock dependent communities.viii      This is in part because productivity is low; annual milk yield of a cow in Sub-Saharan Africa and South Asia is 6% and 12%, respectively, of a cow in an OECD country. Within production system yield gaps are high for all species.ix  In Ethiopia, for example, there is a 20% yield gap for sheep from genetics alone.x Widespread constraints to achieving sustainable productivity include: non-optimal use of livestock genetic potential; lack of optimal adaptive and productive livestock genetics; lack of resilient, resource efficient feeds and forages available year-round in sufficient quantity and quality; poor animal health management and husbandry; and a combination of insufficient and underutilized animal health technologies.xi xii xiii These combine to increase pressure on natural resources and GHG emissions intensities.xiv At the same time, value chain governance structures prevent producers from fully benefiting from markets, investing in sustainable productivity and commercializing their farms.xv     Failure to address constraints to livestock productivity and the growing risks from climate changexvi xvii and other shocks like the COVID-19 pandemicxviii can limit productivity gains while putting sustainability at risk. Increasing yields can contribute to lowering emissions intensities while enhancing livelihoods.xix xx But research is needed to better understand trade-offs between productivity, environmental impacts and livelihood outcomes.xxi xxii      Women, who often look after livestock, have limited control over resources and decisions.xxiii xxiv Youth, who supplement household labor are marginalized from income-generation opportunities and assets.xxv Research is needed to identify livestock development solutions that achieve equitable access and benefits.    Advances in improved forages, animal breeding, herd health, and markets have demonstrated sustainable gains in on-farm productivityxxvi xxvii xxviii xxix but need to reach impact at scale. Bundling combinations of new and scale-ready technical innovations with the right institutional arrangements and policy support has the potential to increase sustainable productivity.xxx xxxi But deep and early engagement with stakeholders in iterative co-design approaches is needed to increase impact and accelerate scaling. SAPLING will engage stakeholders to generate evidence on innovation packages that support livestock producers, including women and youth, to transition to sustainable, resilient livelihoods and productive enterprises. This is expected to catalyse investment by public and private sectors and enable a supportive policy environment, enhancing scale potential.30

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