Over the past few years, food insecurity has risen around the world, especially in areas of Africa and Asia. Malnutrition and stunting are prevalent, with 22% of children globally suffering from stunting, which can have severe effects on growth and development. Animal source foods (ASF) can help alleviate stunting and food insecurity, but it must be provided in a way that is sustainable and accessible to the populations that need it.
 
In a July 7 webinar hosted by ILRI and Venture37, “Leveraging Livestock to Combat Malnutrition,” experts in nutrition, public health, livestock, and agriculture convened to explore the role of ASF in addressing human nutrition and food security. Through case studies from East Africa, panelists discussed the role of ASF in nutritious diets and how livestock production can be a sustainable means to promote human, animal, and environmental health.
 

Livestock and Livelihoods: Leveraging Livestock to Combat Malnutrition

 
 

Key Takeaways

Epidemiological evidence has shown that ASF can help alleviate stunting and malnutrition. In East Africa and beyond, ASF can play a critical role in alleviating stunting and malnutrition, because they are nutrient-dense and bio-available. In East Africa, including in Tanzania, nutrition problems like stunting have been addressed through increased access to and consumption of dairy projects through school milk programs implemented in the Dairy Nourishes Africa project. Through the USAID Growth Through Nutrition project in Ethiopia, implementers have seen that diversifying diets through ASF has reduced hunger in most vulnerable households. In Rwanda, access to cow’s milk and child milk consumption has reduced household food insecurity and improved children’s nutrition status.
 
Health effects should be considered. There are concerns that should be addressed when promoting ASF consumption & production, such as the possibility of contamination and exposure to microbes for women and children. Still, overall ASF do show positive impacts on food insecurity and issues of child stunting.
 
Sustainability is key. Panelists discussed action needed to rebalance food systems and support sustainable, mixed livestock production to safeguard human, animal, and planetary health. When looking at livestock production and equitable ASF consumption, we must do so in a way that is sustainable, accessible, and mitigates climate change and environmental impact.
 
The webinar “Leveraging Livestock to Combat Malnutrition” is part of a joint webinar series hosted by ILRI and Venture37 called Livestock and Livelihoods. The series explores how the livestock sector can bring solutions to key global challenges. Please follow us on social media (Twitter, Facebook, LinkedIn) for updates about the next webinar in September on the topic of One Health.