The paper identifies poverty and malnutrition, low crop and livestock productivity, widespread land degradation and underutilization of some resources as a major problem of highlands. To tackle these problems, a systems approach to research has been adapted and research has been conducted under the following themes: intentional food/feed production strategies, feed utilisation strategies, livestock mediated soil, water and nutrient management strategies, and spatial integration of system improvement strategies.

This year's annual report in addition to the 2007 research work also covers key events in the first half of 2008, particularly matters pertaining to the continuing global food price crisis. There is a special section on the record-high food prices; and an introduction to ILRI's 'Improving Market Opportunities' Theme. This annual report comprises three chapters, viz., East Africa; South Asia; and Southern Africa.

Records the history of ILCA's involvement in Botswana between 1977 & 1981, w. emphasis on the monitoring of the operational aspects of the Tribal Grazing Land Policy, particularly regarding the implementation of the Second Livestock Development Project, and the monitoring of range, livestock performance, ranch economics, socio-economic activities and the operations of the Nojane ranches; reviews other ILCA activities, particularly research collaboration w. scientists of the Animal Production Research Unit (APRU).

Presents and discusses ILCA's research on smallholder farming in the highlands, village sheep and goat production in the humid zone, cattle production in the subhumid zone, pastoral production in the arid zones of West Africa, range livestock production in eastern and southern Africa, and breed evaluation and herd modelling.