The native/indigenous livestock breeds for food and agriculture are highly adapted to the ecosystems where water is one of the main limiting factor. Such breeds are highly adated to the harsh and hostile environments of such ecosystems and ensure food security in turn of very low in put. Camel is one of the best example in this regard. Camel produce health promising milk in conditions where she take an amount of 2-3 liter of water for production of 1 liter milk where the ambient heat is 40 + Celcius. In the same condition high yielding exotic cow needs 10-20 liter of water for 1 kg milk production.
I think one of the best option to ensure food production undre scarce water conditions is the promotion and conservation of the native livestock breeds. The keepers of such breeds are always neglected while formulating policies regarding their breeding pattern and production systems. Such policies are always a failure story. I strongly support the involvement of the small scaled livestock keepers in the policies fabrication regarding food security and sustainable production systems.
My best regards
Raziq Kakar