Farmers in the drought-prone Barind areas maintain livestock as a risk management strategy
module 3
to cope with drought impact, even under current climate variability. These farm animals are
affected by climate directly and indirectly. Directly, they are affected by air temperature,
humidity, wind speed and thermal radiation which influence their growth, milk production,
reproduction, health and well-being. Indirectly, they are affected by the quantity and quality
of feedstuffs such as pastures, forages and grain and the severity and distribution of livestock
diseases and parasites.
When the magnitude of adverse climatic conditions exceeds threshold limits under climate
change, animal functions may become impaired by the resulting stress. Consumption rates
of animals would be reduced under high temperature. If short-term extreme events, such as
summer heat waves, result in the death of vulnerable animals, it will have a devastating financial
impact on the poor.
Livelihood activities that rely on sensitive agricultural systems will be more vulnerable to climate
change. Trends such as population growth, pollution, increasing demand for food and water, and
market fluctuations can compound the impact of climate variability and climate change.