Feed Famine: How Seasons Affect Food for Animals and People in Southern Africa

In Southern Africa, livestock farming is a big deal for food security and rural communities. But there's a big problem: the feed for these animals changes with the seasons, and not in a good way. When the dry season hits, plants die back, and leaves fall off trees. This means less food for the animals, and the food that's left isn't as good. This is what we call the "Nutritional Feed Gap. " It's like a double whammy: less food and lower quality. This gap is a huge risk to the animals and the people who rely on them for food. Climate change is making things even worse. It's changing how much and what kind of food is available for the animals. Some nutrients in the plants don't change much with the seasons, but important ones like protein and phosphorus drop a lot from the wet season to the dry season. This is a big problem for the animals' health and how much milk and meat they produce.

Scientists are trying to figure out how to fix this. But there's a problem: not enough research is being done on how the quality and quantity of feed change together. This is a big knowledge gap. We need to understand how these changes affect food security in the short and long term. If we can figure this out, we can help protect people and animals from the effects of extreme weather and climate change. So, what can we do? We need more research that looks at both the quality and quantity of feed. We need to understand how these changes affect food security. And we need to find ways to help farmers and communities adapt to these changes. It's a big challenge, but it's one we can tackle if we work together.

Actions