Table 1 Adaptation options for livestock-based livelihoods to major climatic risks in West Africa.
Agro-ecological zone | Dominant livestock system | Climatic risk | Adaptation option |
|---|---|---|---|
Arid | Pastoral Agro-pastoral | Drought | Shift to small ruminants and camels Livestock mobility to semiarid/subhumid zones Commercial activities Growing of adapted crop varieties in the “oasis” Migration (local and regional) |
Semiarid | Pastoral Agro-pastoral Peri-urban livestock | Drought Flood Bush fire | Shift to small ruminants Livestock mobility to subhumid zone Better integration of crop and livestock Commercial activities Growing of adapted crop varieties, e.g., drought-tolerant millet/sorghum Fodder conservation Migration (local and regional) |
Subhumid/humid | Mixed crop livestock Peri-urban livestock | Flood Bush fire Vector-borne diseases, e.g., ticks, trypanosomiasis | Intensification of crop-livestock production Growing of cash crops, e.g., cotton Fodder production and conservation Use and conservation of endemic livestock breeds Commercial activities Moving out of agriculture to service industry |
Coastal | Peri-urban livestock | Flood Water erosion Vector-borne diseases | Use and conservation of endemic livestock breeds Commercial activities Moving out of agriculture to service industry |