RELEVANCE AND FEASIBILITY OF MINI LIVESTOCK FARMING IN ENHANCING FOOD SECURITY IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

RELEVANCE AND FEASIBILITY OF MINI LIVESTOCK FARMING IN ENHANCING FOOD SECURITY IN SOUTHERN AFRICA

N. ASSAN

Mini livestock is a sustainable form of animal production that
has significant potential for alleviating malnutrition and food
insecurity in Southern Africa. It should be considered as a normal
component of livestock and rural development which has the
capacity to improve nutrition and food security. It is very much
associated with increased food security as it lends itself to small scale
family production. This discussion looks at the opportunities of
utilizing mini livestock species as an alternative source of protein
solving the food insecurity challenges in Southern Africa. Mini
livestock production has diverse economic and social functions in
rural communities. It can be valued as one of the livestock sub
sectors having enormous potential for enhancing food security. The
conventional livestock production sector has been facing multiple
challenges as a result of rise in human population, urbanization and
climate change. This trend has lead to a rise in demand for livestock
products, which means meat productivity or the number of meat
animals will have to increase to meet the animal protein demand.
The protein production from conventional livestock has been falling,
as a result there is need for alternative sources of animal protein
supply. Focusing on mini livestock species as an alternative source of
protein may be just as important. Most animals in the mini livestock
class are promising in enhancing food security because they require little capital, equipment, space and labor. The discussion concludes
that mini livestock constitute an important reservoir of genetic
animal resources which has not been given adequate recognition.
However, it is envisaged the utilization of mini livestock will address
the animal protein challenges facing Southern Africa, especially in the
resource poor rural communities where the problem is most
apparent. Given the economic, social and ecological advantages of
mini livestock farming it is arguably deserves even greater attention.

Agricultural Advances

2014