Climate change is increasingly affecting livestock farming across India, especially for smallholder farmers dependent on goats and sheep for income, nutrition and livelihood security. Rising temperatures, erratic rainfall, prolonged droughts, humidity fluctuations and extreme weather events are creating new challenges in animal management. Among the most critical adaptation measures is the development of climate-resilient livestock shelters that protect animals from heat stre

Rainfed and dryland regions cover a large part of India’s livestock-rearing landscape. In these areas, livestock productivity is often constrained by seasonal fodder scarcity, imbalanced feeding and dependence on crop residues. Total Mixed Ration (TMR) offers a practical solution by ensuring balanced nutrition throughout the year, even when green fodder availability fluctuates due to seasonal effect and climatic changes. Season-wise TMR planning allows farmers to optimize loc

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