Heat stress on dairy productivity: Policy recommendations for the dairy value chain in Zambia

cg.authorship.typesCGIAR single centreen
cg.contributor.affiliationInternational Center for Tropical Agricultureen
cg.contributor.crpLivestock
cg.contributor.donorCGIAR Trust Funden
cg.contributor.initiativeLivestock and Climate
cg.coverage.countryZambia
cg.coverage.iso3166-alpha2ZM
cg.coverage.regionAfrica
cg.coverage.regionEastern Africa
cg.creator.identifierAn Maria Omer Notenbaert: 0000-0002-6266-2240en
cg.placeNairobi, Kenyaen
cg.subject.actionAreaResilient Agrifood Systems
cg.subject.alliancebiovciatLIVESTOCKen
cg.subject.alliancebiovciatTROPICAL FORAGESen
cg.subject.impactAreaClimate adaptation and mitigation
cg.subject.sdgSDG 2 - Zero hungeren
cg.subject.sdgSDG 12 - Responsible consumption and productionen
dc.contributor.authorNotenbaert, An Maria Omeren
dc.contributor.authorSikaceya, Noahen
dc.date.accessioned2022-08-03T13:22:49Zen
dc.date.available2022-08-03T13:22:49Zen
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/120437
dc.titleHeat stress on dairy productivity: Policy recommendations for the dairy value chain in Zambiaen
dcterms.abstractThe dairy industry is a significant contributor to Zambia’s economy. In 2019, the country had over 3.6 million cattle, with a total milk output of 453 million litres and smallholder dairy producers accounting for over 72% of this. Zambian milk production is inadequate to satisfy the country’s expanding demand for dairy products. Climate-related heat stress is expected to exacerbate the problem. A recent study identified hotspot areas in Zambia where heat stress could have a negative impact on dairy productivity. Most of the country is having moderate heat stress conditions already and predictions point to the possibility of severe conditions in the future. When an animal’s heat burden exceeds its ability to shed heat, it suffers from heat stress. Heat-stressed dairy cows eat less dry matter, have a lower conception rate, are more susceptible to diseases, produce less milk, and have a higher mortality rate. As a result, the farmer’s income is reduced. In recent years, smallholder dairy production systems, which account for most dairy production in Zambia, are shifting to market-oriented systems. Adapting these systems to heat stress should, however, be a priority if they are to remain viable. This policy brief summarizes research findings on heat stress in Zambian dairy cattle, analyzes effective interventions, and culminates with evidence-based policy recommendations. Recommended policy option including promoting coping and adaptation measures at farm level, more specialization along the dairy processing chain, close research-policy cooperation and information sharing with stakeholders and coordination of policymaking for heat stress at all levels i.e., national, and local levels as well as incorporation into development strategies and action plans. If the government and commercial players are to achieve the development goal of sustainably empowering farmers and increasing their earnings, all stakeholders must rally behind the implementation of coping and adapting strategies.en
dcterms.accessRightsOpen Access
dcterms.audienceGeneral Publicen
dcterms.audienceNGOsen
dcterms.audiencePolicy Makersen
dcterms.bibliographicCitationNotenbaert, A.M.O.; Sikaceya, N. (2021). Heat stress on dairy productivity: Policy recommendations for the dairy value chain in Zambia. Nairobi (Kenya): CGIAR Research Program on Livestock. 8 p.en
dcterms.extent8 p.en
dcterms.issued2021-12en
dcterms.languageen
dcterms.licenseCC-BY-4.0
dcterms.publisherCGIAR Research Program on Livestocken
dcterms.relationhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/114421en
dcterms.subjectdairy industryen
dcterms.subjectdairy cattleen
dcterms.subjectheat stressen
dcterms.subjectmilk productionen
dcterms.subjectindustria lecheraen
dcterms.subjectganado de lecheen
dcterms.subjectestrés térmicoen
dcterms.subjectproducción lecheraen
dcterms.typeBrief

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