Efficacy of feed improvement in livestock farming to offset climate variations in Punjab, Pakistan: silage as an example

Globally, climate change is an alarming threat to the livestock industry. Such changes in the climate can also adversely affect the returns of livestock farmers in Pakistan. Improvement in the production process could decrease the risk of losses. This study analyzes the efficacy of silage to abate the losses in livestock profitability resulting from the climate change. The study employed cross-sectional survey data of 492 livestock farmers collected from six districts of Punjab Province, Pakistan. The data are analyzed with endogenous switching regression, considering the possibility of selection bias and endogeneity in adopting silage as a climate change adaptation measure. The study findings show a significant difference in material well-being between silage users and conventional feed users. Furthermore, training programs such as silage training and livestock development programs could be meaningful provisions to abate climate change and improve food security. It is suggested that training and development programs should be incorporated in policy plans to improve the well-being of farmers in terms of their farm revenues.

Automated summary

Climate change poses a significant threat to the livestock industry globally, impacting the profitability of livestock farmers in Pakistan. The study examines the efficacy of silage in mitigating these losses, finding a notable difference in material well-being between silage users and conventional feed users. Implementing training programs could enhance climate change adaptation and food security, recommending their incorporation into policy plans to improve farmers' well-being in terms of farm revenues.