Agricultural research policy framework for improved livelihoods security in crop-livestock production systems

Concerns for sustainable development and poverty alleviation are forcing public agricultural research systems to focus on improving livelihoods security. Crop-livestock production systems are central to the livelihood security of the rural poor in India and some other countries of the tropics. With increasing population, urbanisation and incomes, massive increases are foreseen in demands for livestock products, leading to a livestock revolution. This will present associated challenges and opportunities to the research and policy systems like those that followed the green revolution in crops. The challenges would be different as the importance of livestock for livelihoods security is more in marginal rainfed and arid ecosystems. This paper develops a research policy framework for planning for a livestock revolution and discusses the implications for research and institutional reform.