Emerging Issues in Climate Smart Livestock Production – Chapter 4. Sustainable livestock production and food security

The livestock sector is a significant contributor to the livelihoods of the world's poor and is the fastest-growing field of agricultural output worldwide. Food based on livestock is complete in all respects, being rich in calories, proteins, and lipids that are essential for the ideal growth of the human body. Even now, a heavy emphasis needs to be put on the quality control and well-being of these products. This can be done effectively by growing knowledge among livestock farmers of good management practices (GMPs) and good farming practices (GHPs) that will eventually lead to clean, healthy, and balanced food production. Food security can be accomplished by narrowing “yield gaps,” growing the productivity of crop and livestock, eliminating waste in the food supply chain, diversification and incorporation of crops and livestock, maintaining agrobiodiversity, and introducing greenhouse gas management and advanced production technology in the agriculture and livestock sectors. A sustainable rise in livestock production is a requirement for fulfilling the future demand for livestock products. As a consequence of climate change and market factors, food security policies would need to be complex and compatible with increasing livestock production practices.