Our Approach

Current mainstream policy and programme directions have been the result of fundamentally unsuitable narratives which categorize extensive and low-input livestock systems as economically unproductive and ecologically threatening.

To bring in a change in views and perspectives of livestock development in rainfed areas engagement at multiple levels with diverse groups is the need of the hour. Hence the Networks’ approach aims to increase the circle of influence through building partnerships. Partner organizations work on bringing concerns on to a common platform and share innovative ideas and lessons from research and past experiences. These in turn evolve policies and programmes that ensure complete and better livestock systems. In addition to this, the Rainfed Livestock Network works towards building scientific evidence that will help develop a deeper understanding of livestock systems in rainfed regions through piloting suitable interventions in different agro-ecological context to improve field actions.

The need for an integrated action plan that covers the different elements of livestock production, and building on a systems perspective, where the interface and relationship between fodder and nutrition, choice of species, health services and market incentives are correctly understood – has been the focus of the Network towards developing appropriate programmes and policy.