Recent advances in livestock management practices for sustainable rural livelihoods

Abstract

Livestock plays a pivotal role in sustaining rural livelihoods in developing countries, particularly in India, by contributing to income generation, employment, nutritional security, and resilience against climatic and economic shocks. Despite its importance, the livestock sector continues to face challenges such as low productivity, fodder scarcity, disease prevalence, and increasing climate stress. In recent years, significant advances in livestock management—ranging from improved feeding and fodder management, preventive animal healthcare, precision livestock farming (PLF), climate-smart livestock practices, to waste-to-wealth and circular livestock systems—have opened new opportunities for enhancing sustainability and inclusiveness. The present paper adopts a descriptive and analytical approach based on secondary data to review recent advances in livestock management practices and assess their contribution to sustainable rural livelihoods. Evidence from national and international sources indicates that integrated adoption of improved livestock practices can increase livestock income by 30-60%, generate 20-30% additional employment, enhance women’s participation and decision-making power, and significantly reduce production and income risks. The findings suggest that while advanced technologies such as PLF hold long-term promise, low-cost and knowledge-intensive interventions—balanced feeding, preventive healthcare, climate-smart housing, and manure management—deliver the highest and fastest returns for smallholders. Strengthening institutional support, extension services, and access to credit is essential to scale these benefits and promote inclusive, resilient, and sustainable rural development.