We invest in livestock for sustainable development

Livestock is the most valuable asset of many households in Uganda, providing not just economic but also social capital. We need to give the sector the attention and investment it deserves.

With incomes rising and populations growing, the demand for animal food products in eastern Africa is increasing. And with the right levels of investment and support, this could offer pastoralists exciting new opportunities to increase their incomes.

Internationally, livestock contributes 33% to household incomes. And the benefits aren’t just in straightforward sales of meat, milk or hides – by integrating both livestock and crops into their farms, smallholders can reduce their vulnerability to drought, so that if their crops fail, their herds act as a cash reserve.

Livestock also helps to increase the efficiency of arable farms by eating crop residues and providing fertiliser for plants – their manure helps soil to retain water. This synergy means that farmers can produce more with a smaller plot of land, conserving valuable resources and earning a higher wage.

But despite the value of livestock both to farmers and to an urban populace hungry for meat products, the livestock sector is consistently under-funded. NIRP recognizes the vital role that livestock plays in increasing food security, and works across the diverse livestock system to increase its profitability. You can help support livestock; give an orphan and their family a goat. Create family incomes for the future to come.