Livestock are critical to meet Sustainable Development Goal 2 on ending hunger, achieving food security and improved nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture.

Programs which distribute livestock to resource-poor rural households, particularly when accompanied by training, can significantly improve both household and community diet diversity.

They can also directly improve nutrition for children, as shown by improved weight for age scores.

Country-level strategies must integrate the multiple roles livestock play in achieving food and nutritional security in low-income countries. The focus has to include meeting ‘nutrition goals’, which animal-source foods in particular contribute to, rather than merely meeting people’s calorie requirements.

Because animal-source foods are relatively expensive compared to other foods, policies should help make livestock products more affordable for the poorest in society. These policies should include reducing production costs, facilitating trade and providing targeted price support for the poorest and vulnerable groups.

While there is a consensus that over-consumption of animal-based products can cause health problems, this is generally not the case in most developing countries where under-consumption is more typical. Policies in poor countries should facilitate access to animal-source foods by under-nourished groups and communities.