CSIRO’s Mario Herrero on how to improve livestock productivity in SSA

Australia's Commonwealth Scientific and Industrial Research Organisation (CSIRO) has conducted a groundbreaking livestock yield gap assessment, revealing the potential for three-fold productivity gains across developing countries, particularly in sub-Saharan Africa. The research, commissioned by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation, aimed to identify feasible strategies to increase the productivity of livestock industries in countries like Ethiopia, Nigeria, and Tanzania. Mario Herrero, Chief Research Scientist at CSIRO, shared insights on the key findings and implications of the study during a recent interview with CNBC Africa. The study focused on addressing the 'yield gap,' which refers to the difference between the potential yield of an animal under optimal conditions and its actual yield due to various constraints faced by smallholder farmers. By enhancing healthcare, management practices, and access to quality feed, productivity gains of up to 350 percent could be achieved in livestock, including ruminants and poultry. Simple interventions such as improved forages, vaccinations against diseases, and genetic enhancements could significantly boost profitability and output, benefiting both farmers and consumers. Herrero emphasized the importance of market orientation in the livestock sector, highlighting the need for farmers to not only enhance their production practices but also secure reliable markets to sell their products. Sustainable agriculture practices and infrastructure improvements were identified as key drivers of increased productivity and profitability for smallholder farmers. The research findings underscored the cost-effectiveness of implementing these interventions, making them viable investments for stakeholders, including the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. By focusing on attainable yield gains rather than maximal outputs, targeted investments in livestock systems could lead to substantial improvements in food security and nutrition across the region. Moreover, Herrero highlighted the scalability of these strategies, emphasizing their applicability to a wide range of countries in Africa, including South Africa, Zimbabwe, and Mozambique. By leveraging market incentives and tailored investments, similar productivity gains could be replicated to enhance nutritional security and support local farmers. For those interested in accessing the research findings, Herrero directed them to the CSIRO website (www.CSIRO.org) or the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation. The availability of these reports ensures that stakeholders, policymakers, and researchers have access to valuable insights that can drive sustainable agricultural development and economic growth in the livestock sector.