Small ruminant production and sustainable rural livelihood. In Climate change and stress management

Abstract

The prospect of animal productivity and its share to food security and national GDP, although is on an upward swing in recent years, the impending problems that have been identified and needs urgent attention includes safeguarding the environment and ensuring acceptable level of animal productivity in the prevailing scenario of land and water scarcity, and ensuing climate change. Besides there are important issues involving the propagation of animal production systems suitable for small holders as mode of livelihood security? In the hindsight, the responsibilities bestow up on us to answer the questions like (i) how can livestock keepers take advantage of the increasing demand for livestock products, where this is feasible, and (ii)how can the livestock assets of the poor be protected in the face of changing and increasingly variable climates? Nevertheless, given the complexity of livestock and crop-livestock systems, a mix of technological, policy and institutional innovations will inevitably be required. In this backdrop, the workshop on “Climate Resilient Shelter and Stress Management in Small Ruminants in Hot Arid and Semi-Arid Regions of India” on 02-05-2013 at Central Sheep and Wool Research Institute, Avikanagar, one of the partner (Sponsored Research Grant) in NICRA provided the impetus to come out with this compilation in the form of a book entitled, “Climate Resilient Small Ruminant Production” for the reach of elite and concerned readers. It assumes colossal significance in a way that it provides an opportunity to make an objective appraisal and eventual strategies to make it more resilient in the presentday scenario. Additionally, it would also throw open windows to brain-storm, and to discover tangible solution to tribulations already-identified as well as any unforeseeable ones. The authors are thankful to all the contributors who have come forward to share their findings, knowledge and ideologies through this publication for the benefit of livestock production in general and small ruminant productivity in particular. We take this opportunity to thank National Coordinator, NICRA, Director, CSWRI and ICAR, New Delhi in providing all support for bringing out this publication for researchers and academicians working in this field. While every care was taken to publish the information in totality, there might have been some omission or commission while editing the manuscripts; we take that responsibility solely on us and promise to improve upon it in future publication to match the set requirements.