Transitioning Toward Sustainable Ecosystem-Based Livestock Production in the Pacific Island Countries
摘要
The impact of climate change on food systems and livelihoods is becoming more apparent globally. These impacts are more severe in low-middle-income countries like the Pacific Island countries and territories (PICTs) that continuously experience extreme weather events such as cyclones and heat stress. In livestock production, extreme weather events culminate in decreased animal health and productivity, decreased animal welfare and reduced income to the affected communities and countries at large. Adapting livestock production to ecosystem-based practices can be useful in assisting livestock farmers in the PICTs adapt to climate change. However, apart from climate change, there are other factors that may affect livestock production and these need to be considered to have a holistic view on challenges affecting livestock production in the PICTs and a country’s ability to transition to ecosystem-based livestock management practices as a way of adapting to and mitigating climate change. Further, available data indicate that there is high spatial and temporal variability of rainfall over Fiji Island with the mean annual rainfall ranging from 1600–3600 mm. Rainfall in Fiji has shown an increasing and decreasing trend, where both minimum and maximum temperature have shown a Increasing trend. This will have a great impact on the smallholder farmers who are the major clusters of the existing farmers. This chapter is an important starting point in developing sustainable and climate-resilient livestock systems in the PICTs.