Rethinking Livestock Systems: Embracing Multifunctionality for a Sustainable Future

Multifunctionality is an invitation to think about the future of livestock in all aspects, said Benoît Dedieu, director of research at INRAE-ACT. This quote summarizes the core of the mission of the conference titled, “Multifunctionality of Livestock Grazing Systems: A Lever to Envision Its Possible Futures”, held on 19 April during the Global Agenda for Sustainable Livestock (GASL) in Montpellier, France.  

Livestock systems are often viewed through a narrow lens, focusing on singular aspects like greenhouse gas emissions or biodiversity. This one-dimensional approach has sparked debates and controversies, often overshadowing the broader and more complex multifunctionality of these systems. However, this conference had a clear objective- to move beyond these one-dimensional discussions and to bring a holistic perspective to livestock grazing systems by revisiting the concept of multifunctionality. 

As part of this effort, senior scientist and lead of the CGIAR Research Initiative on Livestock and Climate, Fiona Flintan, joined the afternoon round-table discussion on multifunctionality. Also joining Flintan and Dedieu was Philippe Thomas, from the European Commission’s Directorate-General for International Partnerships (DG INTPA), Gregorio Velasco Gil, coordinator of the Pastoralist Knowledge Hub at the Food and Agriculture Organization of the United Nations, and Alexandre Bouchot from the Agence Française de Développement (AFD).  

Thomas emphasized that multifunctionality is indeed a pivotal lever for creating sustainable and resilient livestock systems. However, he noted the stark reality of economic and territorial pressures, particularly in regions with rapidly growing populations. These pressures often hinder the full realization of multifunctionality, which can remain static and rooted in past perceptions rather than evolving to address contemporary challenges. 

 Bouchot further reinforced the idea that the narrative surrounding pastoralism needs to change. Too often, pastoralism is linked with conflict, particularly in areas like the West Sahel region. Bouchot argued that by shifting the focus from conflict to the positive contributions of pastoralism, particularly in terms of food security and community resilience, we can begin to break the vicious cycle that leads to instability. 

 Flintan echoed the importance of governance in supporting multifunctionality. She pointed out that governments struggle to implement systems that enable multifunctional land use, leading to conflicts over land tenure and inadequate compensation for pastoralists. However, she cited Tanzania as a positive example, where local-level land use planning and governance have facilitated shared grazing resources and collaboration across different governance levels, noting that “multifunctionality needs a multifunctional governance system to support it.” 

The discussion ultimately converged on the recognition that multifunctionality is more than just a concept- it’s a powerful tool for organizing debates, co-designing livestock and grazing systems, and ensuring that all stakeholders have a voice in shaping the future of livestock farming. It isn’t just about finding compromises; it’s about building co-created agreements that align with the diverse ambitions of different stakeholders. Multifunctionality challenges us to think more broadly about the future of livestock, considering not just production but also social, environmental, and cultural dimensions that are vital to its sustainability.  

As the world looks ahead to the International Year of Rangelands and Pastoralists in 2026, the insights gained from this conference will be invaluable. They provide a framework for shaping a more sustainable, inclusive and resilient future for livestock farming, one that embraces the full spectrum of its multifunctional potential. 

Watch the full event recording here.  

Story by Madison Spinelli. 

Banner photo: Fallata (Fulbe) pastoralist cattle on the move in southern Gadarif, Sudan. Photo by H.Sulieman/ILRI.