Crop - Livestock Economies in the Semi - Arid Tropics Facts, Trends and Outlook

Abstract

This report analyzes the structure and trends in the crop-livestock economies of developing countries falling wi thin the semi-arid tropics of the wor ld. Population growth, urbanization and increasing per capita incomes are fuelling rapid growth in the demand for animal-based foods in developing countries including those located in the semi-arid tropics. The rising demand for animal-based foods is likely to have several implications for livestock production systems (structure, production, productivity, intensification etc), the environment, markets, institutions and trade, and ultimately for livestock producers. We are thus witnessing a dualistic mode of development: a fast growing commercial sector that is coming up close to demand centers even as the traditional semi-subsistence sector continues to be the lifeline of many small and poor livestock keepers. In the commercial sector, the non-food functions of livestock (draught, transport, asset etc) are on the decline. The rising demand for animal-based food is also fuelling the derived demand for livestock feed, particularly crop residues in South Asia and SSA, and agro-industrial by-products in all regions of the SAT. The livestock sector is also under pressure to adjust to forces of market liberalization and globalization. Wi th distortions in the wor ld trading environment for livestock products and stiff SPS standards, the competitiveness of domestic dairy and meat production in SAT countries is under threat. The best option to remain competitive is through the adoption of improved technologies, investments in infrastructure to meet quality standards, domestic reforms, public-private sector partnerships particularly in the delivery of health services, innovative institutions and policies that link small-scale producers wi th markets/processors. Poverty is high in all SAT countries of SSA and South Asia. For a majority of the rural poor, livestock rearing is an important means of survival. The productivity of livestock is low owing to numerous constraints. Alleviating these constraints would help improve performance of livestock in SAT countries, which in turn would benefit millions of poor