Highlights from Learning Event No. 3: "LivestockPlus - How can sustainable intensification of livestock production through improved feeding practices help realize both livelihood as well as environmental benefits?", at the 2012 Agriculture and Rural Development Day in Rio de Janiero.

1. LivestockPlus: Realizing both livelihood and
environmental benefits through improved
animal feeding practices
Nathan Russell, Head, Communications, CIAT

2. Key messages
1. Contrary to much conventional thinking,
livestock have huge potential to create
environmental benefits while also improving
rural livelihoods.
2. Feeding practices like improved tropical
forages (e.g., in silvopastoral systems) and
high-fodder value crops are key to success.
3. Tropical forages can sequester large amounts
of carbon – on a scale similar to that of forests
– and also reduce emissions of nitrous oxide
and methane per unit of livestock.

3. Evidence of impact
1. A recent review article compiles substantial
evidence that wider use of these forages could
significantly reduce global GHG emissions.
2. Improved livestock feeding practices in Brazil,
backed by strong tax incentives, have resulted
in significant avoidance of GHG emissions.
3. In India, research on crops with better fodder
value suggests they could lower methane
emissions from dairy production by a third.

4. Going to scale
• In addition to clear productivity benefits ,
farmers need other incentives for widespread
adoption of improved feeding practices, as
demonstrated by experience in Brazil.
• One option worth exploring is to include
improved forages and silvopastoral systems in
PES schemes, based on recent experience in
Colombia and Costa Rica.
• Concerted research on livestock’s mitigation
potential could lead to implementation of the
LivestockPlus concept within 5 or 6 years.