Chronic feed shortages and reliance on resource-intensive grains are tackled through circular and locally adaptable solutions. Chisoro et al. demonstrated that substituting 30–40% of conventional maize/soy with wild fruit byproducts (WFBP) in ruminant diets reduces methane emissions by 12–18% while maintaining productivity, offering a sustainable alternative for smallholders in arid regions. Similarly, Somparn et al. validated black soldier fly larvae oil (BSFLO) as a replacement for rice bran oil in broiler diets, preserving growth performance and reducing dependence on imported feed ingredients in Southeast Asia. In Ethiopia, Kebede et al. identified high-yielding forage crops like oats and vetch, which increase dry matter yields by 40–60% compared to traditional grasses, addressing feed scarcity in mixed crop-livestock systems. In an experiment by Mengistu et al. aimed at evaluating forage cultivars with potential for improving yields, Maralfalfa grass, tested in Ethiopia’s highlands, showed optimal productivity at 50 cm intra-row spacing, enhancing forage availability for dairy systems. Ashagrie et al. further highlighted the economic viability of nutrient-rich feed interventions, boosting milk yields by 33% in smallholder dairy farms. Similarly, Sanfo et al. investigated the performance of improved food–feed maize and cowpea cultivars under monoculture and intercropping systems among smallholder crop–livestock farmers in southern Burkina Faso, and found out that intercropping improved maize (Barka) and cowpea (KVx745-11P) cultivars significantly increases both grain and fodder yields, enhancing land-use efficiency, and providing higher quality fodder, offering a practical solution to seasonal feed shortages and supporting sustainable crop–livestock integration in the region.

Mismatched breeding programs and low genetic potential are addressed through participatory and genomic approaches. Zorobouragui et al. documented farmer-led selection of heat-tolerant Gudali cattle in Benin, prioritizing coat color and milk yield, which improved lactation performance by 17% in semi-arid agroecologies. Chafai et al. quantified negative genetic correlations (−0.89) between milk yield and fertility traits in Moroccan Holsteins, advocating for balanced breeding strategies to reduce culling rates. Epigenetic research by Rodrigues et al. revealed that creep-feeding in crossbred beef cattle alters methylation patterns in genes like IGF2, enhancing post-weaning growth by 15% in resource-limited systems. Moreover, Samuel et al. investigated the effect of the DGAT1 K232A gene mutation and breed differences on milk yield and composition in five Ethiopian cattle populations. They found that the DGAT1 K232A marker significantly influences daily milk yield, fat, and lactose content, suggesting its potential use in marker-assisted selection to improve milk production and quality traits in Ethiopian cattle after further validation in larger populations.

Gender disparities, market inefficiencies, and fragmented extension services are mitigated through inclusive and integrated strategies. Njiru et al. investigates the gender dynamics influencing the adoption and commercialization of Brachiaria forage among smallholder dairy farmers in Kenya, revealing that while both men and women benefit from Brachiaria’s high productivity and drought tolerance, women face greater barriers to adoption due to limited access to land, extension services, and cooperative membership. Ayantunde et al. mapped feed market dynamics in Burkina Faso, showing that transhumant pastoralists in the Sahel pay 40% more for crop residues during dry seasons, underscoring the role of decentralized feed networks. Hatew et al. demonstrated synergies in Ethiopia where combined feed, management training, and genetics increased milk yields by 25%, highlighting the importance of holistic interventions.

The studies in this Research Topic show that improving livestock productivity in developing countries depends on integrated, context-specific strategies that combine technical, genetic, and institutional innovations. Specific lessons include the use of alternative feeds and intercropping to boost yields and sustainability, the alignment of breeding programs with local environmental needs, and the removal of social and market barriers through inclusive policies. The significance of these results lies in demonstrating that only by blending practical, locally adapted solutions across multiple domains can livestock systems achieve lasting productivity gains, resilience, and equitable benefits for smallholders.

Key lessons from this Research Topic include the need to reinforce and expand context-specific interventions that address the diverse challenges facing livestock productivity in developing countries (Kazanski et al., 2025). Future efforts should prioritize bolstering feed improvement strategies, as inadequate and low-quality feed remains the most significant bottleneck for smallholder systems across regions (Tran et al., 2023; FAO, 2018). Integrating livestock productivity goals with climate change mitigation and adaptation is essential, not only to reduce emissions and build resilience but also to unlock climate finance opportunities that can support sustainable intensification and innovation (Bashiru and Oseni, 2025). Policy frameworks must encourage sustainable intensification and commercialization, which have been shown to stimulate investment and the adoption of improved inputs and technologies (Abay and Jensen, 2020). Finally, there is a need for focused research to close persistent gaps in feed resources, genetics, and socioeconomic constraints, and to ensure that new technologies and management practices are effectively transferred and adopted at scale. Only through a coordinated, evidence-based approach that combines technical, policy, and institutional innovations can livestock systems in developing countries achieve sustainable productivity, climate resilience, and inclusive growth.