s:2233:"%T Climate-Smart Livestock Production Systems in the Midlands and Highlands of Ethiopia 
%A Kiros, S. 
%A Hailemariam, G. 
%A Gebreyohanes, G. 
%A Zewdu, T. 
%A Hadgu, K.M. 
%A Negussie, A. 
%A Birhane, E. 
%A Hadush, Z. 
%X Livestock  is  an  integral  part  of  agriculture  and  has  an  important  economic, social, and cultural significance in Ethiopia. Climate change affects livestock production by affecting feed and nutrition, water accessibility, and health. Although livestock production plays a huge role in Ethiopia’s economy and food security, poor livestock management practices characterized by unsustainable free grazing and greenhouse gas emissions have had a negative impact on the environment. At the same time, climate change has had tremendous negative impacts on livestock production. In order to reduce the ef-fects of climate change on livestock and enhance environmentally friendly livestock production, it is important to improve livestock management practices and introduce a sustainable grazing system, appropriate policies, and institutional set up. Applying cut-and-carry feeding and agroforestry, along with improved feed and better breed-ing practices offers major opportunities for reducing emissions and increasing the sequestration of greenhouse gases. Moreover, it is necessary to encourage and reward farmers, administrative bodies, and experts who practice the cut-and-carry feeding system suc-cessfully. This chapter elaborates on the application of integrated technical and non-technical “best fit” options for a livestock produc-tion system. The best fit technological options focus on modifying livestock diversity and number and improving management, breed-ing, and feed, while non-technical options include developing and implementing appropriate policies, local bylaws, and indigenous knowledge on livestock production systems. Integrating these ap-proaches, together with effective surveillance and rapid response strategies, as well as use of better breeds with greater resistance to drought and disease vectors, could play a large role in developing adaptation and mitigation strategies and building resilient livestock agriculture in the face of a changing climate. 
";