Case Studies on Impacts of Climate Change on Smallholder Livestock Production in Egypt and Spain

Climate change is one of the hot topics this decade and seriously affects all economic production sectors including livestock farming sector. In many scenarios, Mediterranean region expected to experience unconventional severe climate that necessitates adopting effective strategies improve resilience sector, particularly for smallholders. Here, we performed a cross-sectional survey 277 smallholder farmers in Egypt 223 Spain order (1) assess farmers’ awareness its potential impacts on animal performance, (2) identify factors affecting productivity, (3) small-scale farms effects productivity existing future needed adaptive measures. The results showed just over 90% respondents were aware 60% smallholders obtained relevant knowledge through their own direct observation, while most communication with other from media. role extension advisors has diminished two countries, recording 0.36% 1.35% Spain. responses suggest heat waves, humidity, drought are major climatic changes smallholding production, representing 68.65, 16.34, 15.01%, respectively. Climatic appears have affected primarily milk yield, wool reproductive performance our survey, meat mortality rate, egg smaller extent. As measures buffer change, 25% indicated they adopted nutritional strategies, 36% manage housing conditions, 6% use genetically improved breeds. corresponding percentages among 15%, 28%, 4%, conclusion, about as well adaptation axes sustaining growing demand products. Furthermore, mitigation keys limiting upcoming extent there several strategies.