Short Abstract

This panel explores African livestock systems as interconnected human–animal–environment networks, linking health, nutrition, welfare, climate, livelihoods, economies, technology, culture and sustainable development across disciplines.

Long Abstract

African livestock systems are more than sites of food production; they are interconnected human–animal–environment networks embedded in livelihoods, economies, cultures, histories, technologies and ecological systems. Viewed through the prism of One Health and human interconnectedness, this panel examines how animal health, nutrition and welfare intersect with human wellbeing, food and nutrition security, economic sustainability, environmental change and Africa's development trajectories. The panel invites interdisciplinary perspectives on livestock production and animal welfare; sustainable and climate-smart nutrition; food safety and zoonoses; antimicrobial resistance; human and animal health; climate change and environmental crises; livelihoods, markets and value chains; and the economic impacts of livestock systems. It also welcomes research on digital agriculture, artificial intelligence, precision livestock farming, biotechnology and other innovations transforming relationships among farmers, animals, consumers and environments. Beyond the agricultural and health sciences, contributions from the humanities and social sciences are encouraged to examine historical human–animal relationships, indigenous knowledge, ethics, cultural representations of animals, pastoral identities, literature, visual and performing arts, and changing cultural meanings of livestock and food. By bringing together agriculture, animal science, health, environmental studies, economics, development studies, technology, history, arts and humanities, the panel asks how Africa's changing livestock systems shape and are shaped by interconnected forms of human, animal, environmental, cultural and economic wellbeing.

Propose paper