Possible impact and adaptation to climate change in livestock production in Southern Africa

Abstract

Southern Africa is one of the most vulnerable regions to climate variability and change because of multiple existing climatic stresses and low adaptive capacity. It is now indisputable that climate change will have a grave effect on livestock production in Southern Africa, coming as an additional factor affecting livestock production that is already highly dynamic and facing a host of challenges. Climatic change is threatening the sustainability of livestock production systems by reinforcing existing stressors such as heat stress, droughts, and flooding events which have lead to reductions in livestock productivity. This review attempt to explore the likely impacts of climate change on livestock production systems, and discuss influence of climate change on water and feeds, livestock genetics and breeding, and animal health. The expected responses to climate induced environmental stressors on livestock production are also highlighted. This is on the understanding that the impact of climate change on livestock production through natural disasters and environmental challenges are likely to affect Southern Africa indiscriminately. Livestock production systems need to adjust through adoption of possible strategies to reduce vulnerability to climate change which affects livestock production in various direct and indirect ways. In order to be able to adequately address livestock production challenges in the context of climate, there is need for Southern African to carry out thorough climatic vulnerability and adaptation assessments, before responses are suggested. Lack of comprehensive training of experts in carrying out vulnerability and adaptation assessments on livestock production, which is crucial in order to develop climate change adaptation measures on livestock production has been a major concern. The vulnerability to climate change impact is a function of several biophysical and socioeconomic factors which need to be taken into account.