A systematic review of climate change implications towards livestock production and smallholder livelihoods in Sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Climate change, a persistent challenge for smallholder farmers in Sub-Saharan Africa, continues to threaten livestock production through heat stress, disease infestations and reduced input availability, implicating their food, nutrition and income security. This review collected data from three databases, retrieving information from 39 reports to review findings on the implications climate change poses towards livestock production and overall livelihood. Findings from this review illustrate that climate change has significant effects on livestock production, with direct implications for the livelihoods of smallholder farmers. These impacts are predominant in Sub-Saharan Africa, with high prevalence of resource constraints, weak institutional capacity and social inequalities that intensify climatic vulnerabilities. The diversity of livestock systems makes room for the adoption of climate-smart agricultural practices towards the promotion of resilient livestock practices. The implementation of efficient policies has the potential to mitigate the impact of livestock production amidst climate change. Moreover, investment in resilient infrastructure, including storage facilities, veterinary services and feeds, should be highly prioritized alongside the conservation and promotion of locally adapted and resilient livestock breeds. These efforts could equip farmers with the knowledge necessary to enhance their productivity in conserving food, nutrition and income security under climatic stress.