Is thE LIVEstOCk sECtOR IN sOuthERN AFRICA PREPAREd FOR CLIMAtE ChANGE?

This policy briefing examines the vulnerability of the livestock sector in Southern Africa to climate change, highlighting the severe impact of the 2015/2016 drought. It argues that while regional strategies like the SADC Climate Change Strategy and Action Plan exist, implementation remains sporadic and donor-driven. The document advocates for the use of indigenous animal genetic resources, improved support for small-scale farmers, and enhanced regional collaboration to build a climate-resilient livestock industry.

• Southern Africa is projected to experience climate shifts including temperature increases between 1.5°C and 3°C, reduced annual rainfall, and more frequent and intense severe weather events such as floods and droughts.
• The 2015/2016 drought, attributed to El Niño, was the driest agricultural season in 35 years for Southern Africa, resulting in an estimated 643,000 cattle deaths and a cereal deficit of 9.3 million tonnes.
• Climate change impacts on livestock vary by species: cattle are highly susceptible to heat stress which impairs reproduction, growth, and milk yields, whereas goats are more resilient due to lower water and feed requirements.
• Small-scale and subsistence farmers are at high risk because they depend on rain-fed natural pastures and have limited access to capital and management technologies.
• Indigenous livestock breeds, such as the Nguni, Tuli, and Tswana cattle, offer better adaptability to harsh environments due to their disease resistance and ability to utilize low-quality feeds.
• Regional and national responses to climate change in the livestock sector have been characterized by poor implementation and a tendency to be sporadic and donor-driven.

APA

dzama, K. (2016). Is thE LIVEstOCk sECtOR IN sOuthERN AFRICA PREPAREd FOR CLIMAtE ChANGE? South African Institute of International Affairs. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Policy-Briefing-153.pdf

Chicago

dzama, Kennedy. Is thE LIVEstOCk sECtOR IN sOuthERN AFRICA PREPAREd FOR CLIMAtE ChANGE? South African Institute of International Affairs, 2016. https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Policy-Briefing-153.pdf.

Wikipedia

{{cite report |last1=dzama |first1=Kennedy |title=Is thE LIVEstOCk sECtOR IN sOuthERN AFRICA PREPAREd FOR CLIMAtE ChANGE? |publisher=South African Institute of International Affairs |date=November 2016 |url=https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Policy-Briefing-153.pdf |access-date=17 August 2026 |via=Climate Insights Directory}}

BibTeX

@techreport{dzama2016livestock, author = {dzama, Kennedy}, title = {{Is thE LIVEstOCk sECtOR IN sOuthERN AFRICA PREPAREd FOR CLIMAtE ChANGE?}}, institution = {South African Institute of International Affairs}, year = {2016}, month = nov, url = {https://saiia.org.za/wp-content/uploads/2016/11/Policy-Briefing-153.pdf}, urldate = {2026-08-17}, note = {Indexed by Climate Insights Directory} }