Looks at the allocation of resources to livestock research in Africa. Assesses the role of agricultural research and its value to national governments. Investigates the appropriate criteria to use for decision making by comparing three kinds of decision-making models. Presents conclusions for policy-making.

Discusses pastoral systems research (PSR) within the framework of the experience of livestock and pastoral development in Africa during the last 50 years, analyzing data on livestock population & productivity in relation to the welfare of pastoralists; and examines previous efforts in pastoral development relevant to PSR approach.

The global livestock sector is diverse, undergoing rapid change and frequently

misunderstood. Livestock impact issues of major global concern, including food security,

poverty alleviation and environmental and human health. But these impacts differ greatly

across the globe, depending on factors such as the levels of wealth or poverty in a

country/region, the livestock commodity, consumer demands, the policy environment and

the livestock production system. This paper explores global trends in the livestock sector in

Describes the research approach adopted by an interdisciplinary ILCA team to study a pastoralist production system, summarizing the methodology & results of research on small ruminants' productivity in the Maasai pastoral system, and outlining dif. features of current smallstock research in Kenya; w. an analysis of flock productivity, mortality, animal nutrition & behaviour at the Elangata Wuas group ranch.