Adoption of climate-smart animal production techniques for sustainable livestock farming systems

Abstract

This study divulges into the concept of climate-smart animal production, which has emerged as a strategic framework for enhancing productivity, strengthening system resilience, and reducing greenhouse gas emissions while sustaining livelihoods. This review critically synthesizes recent evidence on the adoption of climate-smart animal production practices across diverse livestock systems. Most agricultural systems have evolved in recent years due to global warming driven by climate change, and livestock farming remains essential for ensuring food security and improving livelihood of rural and vulnerable populace. To provide informed insight into climate-smart animal production techniques, this review evaluates mitigation-oriented practices including improved feeding strategies, genetic enhancement, feed additives, and precision livestock farming. Despite the growing challenges posed by global climate change, climate-smart interventions demonstrate clear gains in productivity, significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions, and strengthened system resilience. In addition, this review highlights a range of mitigation and adaptation pathways in livestock farming, emphasizing the strategic use of technological innovations, genetic improvement, and targeted nutritional interventions to enhance sustainability. The review provides an integrated approach to guide researchers, farmers, and policymakers in designing scalable and evidence-based approaches that aligned livestock production with climate change and sustainability goals.