How livestock in Lesotho is adapting to climate change

Livestock are a major contributor to greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 14.5 per cent of the global total. But animals are also heavily impacted by climate change, as droughts and floods reduce the availability of water and fodder, degrade land and feed quality and increase livestock mortality. With many communities relying on animal products for nutrition – especially the most vulnerable populations – this vicious cycle is harmful not only to livestock but also to humans.

How can we mitigate against climate change while sustainably producing enough healthy food for everyone? An IFAD-FAO study from Lesotho provides some valuable lessons.

Under the Paris Agreement, by 2030, Lesotho aims to achieve land degradation neutrality and reduce its greenhouse gas emissions by 35 per cent. Improving livestock management is an essential part of the solution.

To understand how these targets could be met, analysts calculated Lesotho’s current livestock emissions using a free FAO-developed online tool called Global Livestock Environmental Assessment Model-interactive (GLEAM-i). This tool was also used to estimate the potential reductions in emissions achievable through the IFAD-funded Regeneration of Landscapes and Livelihoods (ROLL) project, which aims to promote practices that regenerate landscapes and support sustainable livelihoods.

The findings are encouraging: ROLL has the potential to boost livestock production while reducing greenhouse gas emissions and keeping about the same number of animals. This is possible through a combination of measures that enhance animal health, increase the amount and quality of feed, and improve soil quality through manure management.

Improving animal health and reproductivity can lead to higher production of protein without increasing the number of animals. This is achieved through better accessibility and quality of animal health services, vaccination, and using local breeds which are able to withstand harsher weather conditions. These steps reduce mortality and increase the production of milk, meat and fibre.

The lesson? Animal health and improving farming productivity are closely linked.

Farming practices need to be adapted to the effects of climate change as higher temperatures can negatively affect maize yields. Developing stress-tolerant maize varieties that can withstand water scarcity and mature early can help small-scale farmers become more climate resilient.

Doing so improves the availability and quality of fodder and provides an alternative source of protein, helping to reduce Lesotho's reliance on imported soya.

Sin tierras ni suelos sanos, las plantas con las que se alimentan los animales, que a su vez nos alimentan a nosotros, no pueden crecer. Las prácticas de adaptación al cambio climático, como los períodos de descanso de los pastos, el pastoreo rotativo, la preservación de los recursos hídricos y la gestión del crecimiento del rebaño, protegen el suelo y permiten que las tierras se regeneren.

Los animales también desempeñan un papel fundamental a la hora restituir el suelo. El abono animal es una fuente rica en nutrientes y materia orgánica de importancia fundamental para la salud de los suelos. Invertir en sistemas de gestión de este abono contribuye a una bioeconomía sostenible y circular.

Estos enfoques, acompañados de una gestión mejorada de los pastizales, ofrecen muchas posibilidades de reducir las emisiones y aumentar la resiliencia al cambio climático al impulsar la eficiencia, reducir los desechos y fijar carbono en el suelo.
 

• Conozca la labor del FIDA en Lesotho.
• Descubra cómo está ayudando GLEAM-i a hacer frente al cambio climático en Kirguistán y el Camerún.
• Obtenga más información sobre las estrategias relacionadas con prácticas ganaderas resilientes al clima y con bajas emisiones (disponible solo en inglés).