In the drylands of Benin, west Africa, livestock farming is under growing pressure. These vast, hot landscapes cover roughly 70% of the country’s land area. Their sparse pastures and scattered trees sustain around six million grazing animals, including 2.5 million cattle, one million sheep and 2.4 million goats which walk with herders over long distances in search of food and water.
Rainy seasons in the Benin drylands are becoming shorter and less predictable. Pastures dry out earlier than they used to. Heatwaves are more frequent.
