In the arid and semi-arid heartlands of rural India, where small livestock such as goats, sheep and backyard poultry form the backbone of millions of livelihoods, water remains both a lifeline and a limiting factor. While much attention has been paid to feed, breed and healthcare services in livestock development, the role of integrated water planning often remains under-emphasized in smallholder livestock strategies. Yet, water is fundamental—not only for drinking but for f

Small livestock farming is a vital source of livelihood for millions of rural households in India. However, climate change poses increasing risks to this sector through erratic rainfall, temperature extremes and emerging diseases. Building climate resilience—an ability to anticipate, prepare for and recover from climatic shocks—is essential to sustain small livestock farming. Community-based approaches offer a promising pathway to enhance resilience by leveraging local knowle