Improving global foods system, human health, and alleviating poverty through small ruminant production: the nigerian gains

Abstract

Small ruminant has great potential in enhancing the global food system, improving human health, and alleviating poverty.  Nevertheless, on average, small ruminant production has not been able to keep pace with the overall food demand globally. Meaning that without drastic action, the world food crisis will continue to persist and many people around the world will continue to live in abject poverty. To avert this ongoing phenomenon, this paper examines how the global food system and human health can be improved and poverty alleviated through small ruminant production; and how Nigeria will benefit from it. To properly articulate the theme of this paper, the discussion will focus on what small ruminant animals are; their benefits and constrain; the global food system, small ruminant production and its relation to human health and poverty eradication, efforts at improving small ruminant production and how this will have an impact on the Nigerian economy. Furthermore, the paper provides recommendations for the improvement of small ruminant production in Nigeria