New IDRC initiative aims to strengthen food security through climate-smart livestock solutions
Climate change threatens the ability of agricultural systems to sustainably meet the dietary needs of the global population. Its impacts extend to the health and productivity of livestock, which are a key component of food systems in sub-Saharan Africa. They provide essential nutrition, livelihoods to millions of people and safety nets in times of crises for vulnerable households.
Smallholder livestock farmers are disproportionally affected by climate change, as they depend on healthy animals for their livelihoods and food security. They must therefore adapt to and mitigate the harmful impacts of climate change.
RECAF will respond to climate impacts in vulnerable hot spots of sub-Saharan Africa, focusing on the following countries: Benin, Kenya, Uganda, Botswana, South Africa, Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and Togo. These countries were selected during a consultative process involving a wide range of stakeholders across the region, including affected communities.
Led by Southern-based researchers, the initiative will have two streams of research: climate-smart innovations in livestock systems and delivery models to commercialize and scale mature climate-smart innovations.