Crop-livestock interaction for sustainable agriculture

Abstract

Crop-livestock is a form of land use system whereby livestock husbandry and cropping are practiced in association. The production system safeguards ecosystem balance and assures sustainable production; besides, the production system does not impact on the environment negatively. The burgeoning human population globally has increased the spate of food insecurity and malnutrition especially in the developing countries. There is therefore an urgent need for a better, efficient and sustainable production system capable of providing both crop and animal products for the teeming human population. Crop-livestock integrated production system seems to provide opportunity for the production and supply of food of both crop and animal origin without detrimental impact on the fragile environment. In this integrated system, crop and livestock interact to create synergy that allows ecosystem balance and sustainable production intensification. In this chapter, comprehensive documentation of the concept, principles, and practices of crop-livestock production system have been made. Also, the importance of this integrated production system on ecosystem balance and sustainable crop and livestock production have been presented.