Researchers at the International Center for Tropical Agriculture (CIAT) and the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI) published a paper in the Environmental Research Letters and cautioned that recommendations for reducing consumption of animal foods, including meat, as a measure against climate change may not be the applicable in low- and middle-income countries. While meat consumption is still low in developing countries, there is plenty of room for livestock production to contribute to improving farmers' income and nutrition, as well as soil fertility. The paper also appealed on the importance of data collection and research to increase the contribution of livestock consumption and production.

Along this line, JIRCAS is makes recommendations on the development of baseline data on greenhouse gas emissions from livestock production in developing countries, the development of more efficient feed production technology, and the development of an effective and efficient crop-livestock integration system.

Reference:

Birthe Katharina Paul et al, Sustainable livestock development in low and middle income countries - shedding light on evidence-based solutions, Environmental Research Letters (2020). DOI: 10.1088/1748-9326/abc278

Contributor: IIYAMA Miyuki (Research Strategy Office)