Livestock systems in urbanizing environments

In developing countries, urbanization and associated demographic changes are posing unprecedented challenges related to hunger, food insecurity and malnutrition. Livestock and crop systems in cities in Africa and Asia, where urbanization is occurring most quickly, will come to face significant adjustment pressures, since poverty will increasingly become urbanized, demand for urban food will grow and cities will exert greater influence on peri-urban and rural livelihoods and environments.

Livestock - a way out of poverty

The contribution of livestock production systems to the food security of the poor and under-nourished groups is well documented. Acquisition of livestock is widely recognized as a pathway out of poverty, a major income generating activity, a financial instrument, and a means of income diversification.

Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) in many developing countries would therefore depend greatly on the ability of developing countries to build more sustainable and resilient crop and LPS that foster food security to meet the needs of the increasing population pressure.

Bringing researchers and stakeholders together

This workshop aims at bringing together researchers and stakeholders from diverse disciplines and sectors who are working in areas related to livestock, urban planning, agricultural systems and food security in developing countries to discuss and define research priorities for building more sustainable LPSs.

The workshop will provide a platform for participants to exchange ideas, present current research, discuss challenges, initiate future research collaborations, and create and grow a community of interest within urbanizing livestock systems.