Encourage livestock-crop interactions.

It is critical to have policies that encourage and incentivize livestock-crop interactions for optimal resource use. These should include supporting markets for crop residues like maize stover and rice straw, and manure.

Government programs to increase agricultural productivity should be broad-based to cover crops, livestock, and their interaction.

In mixed crop-livestock systems, forage production can contribute to sustainable land and water management. For example, they prevent erosion and enhance soil fertility through nitrogen fixation. Policies and investments should support these innovations.

Equitable and guaranteed land access is crucial for livestock keepers in extensive systems. Better land use planning and land management incentives can encourage more sustainable livestock production.

Livestock manure helps ‘close nutrient cycles’ by replenishing depleted soils with nitrogen and other benefits.

Well-managed cattle and other ruminants renew rangelands and stimulate healthy growth on semi-arid and marginal lands and significantly increase carbon sequestration in the soil and vegetation.

Supporting the environmental stewardship provided by the world’s pastoral peoples could significantly increase carbon sequestration as well as biodiversity conservation.