Introduction to the Conference
World food production systems, particularly in Africa, have recently faced unprecedented challenges from climate change and the Covid-19 pandemic. For food of animal origin in particular, these recent challenges are in addition to already existing challenges of animal diseases and parasites, human-wildlife conflicts, cross-border diseases, long droughts, lack of markets, under-funded research, and lack of viable extension services leading to deficiency in management skills in animal farming. All these negative impacts on sustainable livestock production have weakened Africa's food production capacity. One other emerging challenge that African animal agriculture has to contend with is the de-campaigning of meat production by environmentalists. Even the message to consumers to lessen the consumption of red meat, especially from ruminants, has reached unprecedented proportions based on purported greenhouse gases from ruminants. These challenges need consistent research and science-based evidence from both African and international scientists to provide solutions to our farmers. The lack of inter-African trade in animal products, goods, and services has also undermined food security in the continent. Localised cattle rustling in some regions of Africa is a long-standing problem that skipped the eye of researchers and scientists. However, it has the potential to fuel civil strife among communities, diplomatic rows among countries, and spread diseases. Can animal scientists propose innovative sustainable solutions to this and many more challenges facing African animal agriculture? Therefore, this 8th All Africa Conference in Animal Agriculture endeavour to assemble esteemed scientists from the continent and from abroad to share and discuss research results and other relevant information with a view to recommending possible strategies to turn the challenges of African agriculture into opportunities.
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