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

It is widely acknowledged that goats in developing countries fulfill multiple functions and can contribute to improved livelihoods of smallholders. The multi-functionality of goats in rural Mozambique however is fairly unknown. The objective of the paper is therefore to identify and create a deeper understanding of the multiple functions goats currently play in the smallholders sector in Mozambique. The paper takes a sociological approach by advancing the thinking that the functions of goats are socially and culturally constructed, and not ‘given’.