"The overall objective is to develop productive and sustainable livestock-based
production systems through the integration of feed and livestock production, both within and
across production systems, aiming at improving the incomes and welfare of small farmers and
livestock owners/herders in the low-rainfall areas of West Asia and North Africa (WANA),
meeting national demands for livestock products, and conserving the natural resource base.
Past and ongoing research has identified available, or potential, technologies and management
strategies for developing improved crop-livestock production systems, but adoption of such
technological innovations has been slow. Furthermore, changes in the economic policies and
recent market reforms being implemented by some governments have an impact on the
investment and management strategies of small farmers in the low rainfall areas. The project aims
to support the development of productive and sustainable livestock-based systems through
adaptive research that integrates technologies and management practices with policy and
institutional alternatives so as to provide an enabling environment for wider adoption of improved
production and resource management practices."