Determinants of livestock management knowledge and practices among farmers in Afghanistan

Livestock production is central to food security in Afghanistan, yet gaps remain in farmers’ knowledge and management practices. This study assessed livestock knowledge and management practices among beneficiaries of the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations (FAO) Livestock Protection Package and identified associated factors. A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 3,397 livestock farmers across eight provinces. Multivariate Poisson regression models were used to identify factors associated with livestock knowledge and management practices. Participation in FAO livestock training was significantly associated with higher livestock knowledge and improved management practices. Household assets and access to services also played important roles: larger landholdings, safe and clean water access, improved lighting, milk marketing opportunities, and mobile phone ownership were positively associated with livestock knowledge. Similarly, livestock knowledge itself, FAO training, diversified income sources, access to clean water, improved lighting, and mobile phone ownership were positively associated with better livestock management practices. Significant provincial variation was observed, indicating the influence of local context on outcomes. Overall, livestock knowledge and management practices were shaped by training, resource availability, infrastructure, access to information, and geographic setting. Strengthening extension services, improving rural infrastructure, promoting digital advisory tools, and tailoring interventions to local contexts may enhance the adoption of improved livestock practices in Afghanistan.