Intensification of smallholder livestock production, is it sustainable

Abstract

This paper discusses sustainability perspectives of intensification of different types of smallholder livestock production. A main sustainability issue of intensification is its contribution to household incomes. Smallholder dairying substantially increases incomes, despite pressing technical sustainability issues. Trade-offs are that it is not an option for the really resource-poor households, and its impact on different environmental and societal sustainability issues. Intensification of small animal systems appears to have a low potential to substantially increase incomes. Livestock intensification strategies have to meet the environmental and societal demands.