ABSTRACT
In this chapter, an attempt is first made to clarify the concept of intensification of livestock enterprises. The process is viewed in terms of increasing stocking rates, a switch to more intensive types of livestock (pigs and poultry) and increasing variable inputs per animal. Crude, ‘ballpark’ statistics published by FAO are then used to indicate that all these forms of livestock intensification have occurred in Africa over recent decades. Associated changes in livestock systems include the shift from purely grassland-based systems to forms of agro-pastoralism and thus to mixed farming, and the change from mixed farming to the use of purchased feeds and a shift to landless animal production systems. Components of the intensification process include improvements in animal health, nutrition, management, marketing, housing and breeding. These components are discussed in detail to stress the need for them to be integrated in a package or for their introduction to be properly phased. The discussion is illustrated with examples from small-scale dairy development in East Africa and attempts at intensifying small ruminant production.
