Livestock nutrition and foodstuff research in Africa: when is a nutritional constraint not a priority research problem?

Abstract This paper examines a paradox at the centre of efforts to improve livestock production in sub-Saharan Africa. For decades livestock nutrition and animal food have been identified as critical constraints, yet producers have shown little interest in improved food technologies. The main argument is that the analyses highlighting nutrition and food as critical constraints have focused primarily on biological productivity, and are thus at odds with livestock producers’ perceptions. The paper concludes by suggesting that livestock research in Africa must taker greater account of different systems, situations and producers, as well as key characteristics of technology such as reliability and management flexibility.