Farming systems diversity, does it matter for the p oor?

The growing markets and rapid growth in demand for livestock products has been termed the livestock revolution. It is driven by rising income , urbanisation, and changing consumer preferences particularly among a growing middle cla ss. Expanding domestic and export markets for livestock and rapidly growing demands create growth opportunities for livestock producers in the developing world. Globally there i s a geographic shift in livestock production from the developed to developing countries. However, recent trends in the developing world like the lengthening of livestock food chains, vert ically integrated livestock food chains, and increasing market concentration in the sector can m arginalise smallholder producers and other poor people who depend on livestock for their livel ihoods. The livestock revolution therefore has so far seemed to bypass the livestock sector in the least developed countries where the bulk of the poor live. Moreover, the increased productio n of livestock is also expected to come from the same or declining resource base. In many cases, this may lead to degradation of land, water, and animal genetic resources in both intensive and extensive livestock systems. This study examines the distribution of livestock s ystems (intensive versus extensive) over time and across countries and relates this to econo mic variables, production systems variables and environmental variables in order to enhance the understanding of relevant characteristics and trends in livestock systems at a global level. Additionally the relation between livestock systems, livestock productivity and poverty levels were studied in more detail at a regional scale for Africa.