Building resilient livestock systems for climate change adaptation and mitigation in South Asia: a structured narrative review

Climate change poses severe threats to livestock systems in South Asia, where millions of rural households depend on animal agriculture for food security and livelihoods. This policy paper synthesizes the latest evidence on adaptation and mitigation strategies tailored for these systems, with a focus on Sri Lanka and its neighbors. We review climate impacts (e.g., heat stress, feed availability, quality safety, disease vectors) and propose climate-smart interventions including breed selection, feed management, water use efficiency, and land management. Integration of sustainable practices (mixed farming, agroforestry) and precision livestock farming (sensors, artificial intelligence, satellite data) is emphasized to optimize resource use and reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The role of traditional knowledge, such as indigenous resilient breeds, is highlighted alongside recent advances in science and livestock management practices. We examine how climate change accelerates the migration of rural employment, often leading to a shift from farming to urban labor, and emphasizing the need for new green jobs in resilient livestock value chains. Case studies from South Asia demonstrate numerous successful resilience models. This paper also discusses region-wide mechanisms, such as the South Asian Association for Regional Cooperation (SAARC) climate-smart agriculture consortium and transboundary early warning networks that foster collaboration and shared learning. Finally, we propose policy recommendations (investments, financing, capacity building), aimed at strengthening regional coordination, innovative finance, and institutional capacities for climate-resilient livestock systems.