Chapter 13 - Livestock—crop interaction for sustainability of agriculture and environment

Abstract

The global burgeoning of the human population has aggravated hunger, malnutrition, and the prevalence of noncommunicable diseases, especially in the developing countries. To meet up with the growing food demand of a teeming global human population, conventional agricultural systems have increasingly adopted intensive production approaches that have left its footprint on the environment. Consequently, animal, plant, and human ecosystems have been subjected to incredible pressure, nearing devastation. Thus, the urgent need for a more reliable, effective, and long-term production system capable of enhancing ecological sustainability is desirous. Livestock–crop integrated production system appears to be a feasible and desirous alternative for enhancing agricultural intensification at minimal or no ecological cost. In this chapter we have highlighted the various exiting forms of crop, livestock, and livestock–crop integrated production systems. The roles of agricultural production as a key driver and recipient of environmental and ecological changes were critically assessed. Also, the concept, features, indicators, and constraints to sustainable intensification in agricultural production systems were discussed. Efforts were made to discuss the principles and forms of livestock–crop interaction necessary for a sustainable environment, as well as the plethora of economic, ecological, and social benefits that are accruable therefrom. Furthermore, attempts are made to elucidate the prospects, benefits, practicability, limitations, and ethical considerations surrounding the concept of sustainable livestock–crop production in developing countries. From our findings and discussions, we conclude that integration of livestock and crops into a synergized production system portends the capacity that permits a sustainable environment and allows system intensification.