Kuwait food security within the context of climate change: animal production

Climate change poses significant challenges to food security, particularly in hyper-arid countries such as Kuwait, where extreme temperatures, water scarcity, limited arable land, and heavy dependence on imported food and feed threaten the sustainability of animal production. This review critically evaluates the role of animal production in strengthening Kuwait’s food security under changing climatic conditions. A comprehensive narrative literature review was conducted using peer-reviewed publications and reports from major scientific databases and international organizations, with particular emphasis on primary studies conducted in Kuwait and the Gulf Cooperation Council (GCC) region, complemented by international literature where regional evidence was limited. The review synthesizes quantitative evidence on livestock production, food self-sufficiency, climate stressors, water scarcity, feed dependency, and adaptation strategies relevant to Kuwait. Unlike previous reviews that focus on individual sectors, this study integrates climate change, food security, livestock production, and emerging technologies within the specific context of Kuwait, providing a comprehensive assessment of sector resilience and future development opportunities. The evidence indicates that Kuwait has achieved self-sufficiency in table egg production, whereas poultry meat and red meat production remain insufficient to meet domestic demand, resulting in continued reliance on imports. Climate change is expected to intensify heat stress, water scarcity, feed insecurity, and disease risks, further challenging production sustainability. Emerging technologies, including precision livestock farming, artificial intelligence, Internet of Things-based monitoring, climate-controlled housing, and alternative feed resources, offer promising solutions to enhance productivity, animal welfare, and resource-use efficiency. This review identifies critical knowledge gaps and highlights the need for integrated climate adaptation policies, technological innovation, and sustainable resource management to develop climate-smart livestock systems that enhance long-term food security in Kuwait and other arid regions.