The role of small ruminant production in achieving sustainable and resilient food systems in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs) is yet to be fully explored or incorporated into current agroecological practices and policies. This review examines the principles and practices of agroecology, focusing on circular food systems and the sociopolitical aspects of their implementation for small ruminant production in LMICs. It discusses Gliessman’s five levels of agroecological transition and eight principles for integrating small ruminant production into agroecology: input reduction, animal health, soil health, biodiversity, recycling, synergy, economic diversification, and co-creation of knowledge. The review highlights that, while there are differing interpretations in the scientific literature, there is a growing consensus that agroecological practices applied to small ruminant production have the potential to improve integration and self-sufficiency in farming systems, improve animal health, reduce reliance on external inputs, and promote circularity and biodiversity. This reinforces the view that agroecological approaches to small ruminant production can foster a sustainable and interconnected system that strengthens the relationships between animals, plants, and the environment and enhances circularity. To achieve successful implementation and widespread adoption of these approaches, it is crucial to facilitate greater collaboration and cocreation of knowledge among small ruminant farmers and stakeholders in the small ruminant livestock industry.

In Low-Income Food Deficit Countries (LIFDCs), there is a growing demand for ruminant livestock products due to population growth, urbanization, and rising incomes. However, smallholder farmers in these regions face constant challenges in securing reliable year-round feed supply, which affects animal performance and the ability to meet increasing demand for animal products. This comprehensive review thus explores the potential of fruit by-products, specifically cashew apples, papayas, and mangoes, which are often discarded and contribute to environmental pollution but can be valuable resources for livestock farmers. The review examines the current state of small ruminant livestock production in LIFDCs, particularly in Sub-Saharan Africa and adopts a systems thinking approach to consider using cashew apple, papaya, and mango by-products as a potential feed source. Small ruminant livestock production is highlighted for efficiently converting nutrient-rich food waste from fruits like cashew apples, papayas, and mangoes into valuable milk and meat products. The review also addresses the environmental aspect, pointing out potential greenhouse gas emissions resulting from improper disposal of fruit wastes and the urgent need to convert them into animal feeds. It provides data on processing, preservation techniques, chemical composition, and the limited available information on the impact of these fruit by-products on feed intake, growth, carcass quality, methane emissions, and overall well-being of small ruminants. Challenges related to the storage and feeding of these by-products are also discussed. Despite limited data and conflicting evidence, the review strongly advocates using cashew apples, papaya, and mango by-products as vital feed resources for small ruminants. It emphasizes the need for further research to determine their nutritional value in local contexts, establish optimal inclusion levels, and devise strategies for prolonging shelf life. This effort holds promise for addressing food deficits and enhancing food security in LIFDCs where these challenges are most acute.

A 2-phase (grower and layer) study was undertaken to investigate the effects of direct-fed microbial (DFM) on the growth, production and reproductive performance of indigenous guinea fowls (Numida meleagris) raised on-station. During the grower phase, two hundred and sixteen (216) nine-week-old pearl guinea fowl growers of mean weight of 510 grams were allotted to four dietary treatment groups, each with three replicates containing 18 birds (15 pullets and 3 cockerels) in a completely randomized design (CRD). At 20 weeks of age, the birds were transferred to four-layer dietary treatments. The control diet contained no DFM while DFM was added to the various treatment diets at the respective rates of 1.0ml/kg, 1.5 ml/kg and 2 ml/kg. Feed and water were provided to the birds ad libitum in both the grower and layer phases. Parameters studied included feed consumption, growth rate, feed conversion ratio, egg production, egg fertility and hatchability and blood traits. The dietary incorporation of DFM had no significant effect (p> 0.05) on feed intake, egg weight and quality, weight of first egg and body weight at first egg as well as blood cholesterol levels but significantly improved final liveweight, feed conversion ratio (FCR), age at first egg, egg weight, egg fertility and hatchability (p< 0.05) compared with the control. It is concluded that the addition of 1.5 to 2ml of DFM/kg diet for indigenous guinea fowls improves both productive and reproductive performance.