The current theme - September 2026

Sustainable Livestock Production

In India, livestock farming is a critical pillar of the rural economy, supporting nearly 20.5 million people and contributing about 25.6% to the agricultural GDP. For small and marginal farmers, sustainable practices are essential to balance economic survival with environmental preservation in a climate-stressed landscape.

Sustainable livestock production for smallholders focuses on low-input, high-efficiency systems that leverage local resources. These include promoting hardy, climate-resilient native breeds that naturally resist local parasites and intense heat; Combining livestock with crop cultivation allows for circular resource use like using crop residues for animal feed and manure as natural fertilizer for crops; reducing reliance on expensive commercial grains by using locally available non-conventional feeds, silage making, and high-quality mineral additives. Also, small ruminants like goats and backyard poultry, which require less land and investment, making them ideal for landless or small-scale families.

Small farmers often struggle with unorganised markets and middlemen, receiving only about one-third of the final product price. Value addition, Farmer Collectives and digital marketplaces are some of the means to reduce costs and enhance incomes through collectivization. Also emerging digital technologies are shifting Indian livestock farming from traditional observation-based methods to data-driven precision management.

Sustainable livestock systems must mitigate their ecological footprint. Improving diets and using additives can reduce methane emissions from ruminants. Converting manure into biogas for renewable energy or vermicompost for organic farming reduces greenhouse gas emissions and chemical fertilizer use. Implementing rainwater harvesting and efficient watering systems can minimize waste and contamination.

In the September 2026 issue of LEISA India we are interested in showing how small farmers manage their livestock in an agroecological and sustainable way. We are interested in highlighting issues related to sustainable fodder and feed production, value addition, emerging markets for safe produce and environmental outcomes. We would also like to include examples that showcase the use of technology, research and extension in making livestock production sustainable for small farmers. Lastly, we will look at the role of local organisations (co-operatives, FPOs) and supporting policies at regional and national level that support sustainable livestock production.

Articles for the September 2026 issue of LEISA India should be sent to the editors before 1^st August 2026.

Email: leisaindia@yahoo.co.in/editors@amefound.org

Guide to Authors

LEISA India publishes practical field experiences on sustainable agriculture. The magazine offers an opportunity for those working in agricultural development, particularly in diverse, risk-prone and resource-poor regions, to publish their field experiences and to read about the experiences of others. LEISA India is published four times a year, and each issue deals with a particular theme.

Guidelines

Articles should fit in the theme of the issue, for which it is being submitted. Kindly read the call for articles and check if the article fits well with the theme.
Articles should be practical field experiences. Articles which simply describe a technology or a process will not be encouraged for publication.
Explain any terms or ideas that may not be understood in every part of the world.
Acknowledge all sources and references used.
Explain any abbreviations used.

In order to present clear and accessible information, authors are recommended to describe:

The context – agro ecological, social and environmental
Challenges and the reasons for the approach taken to improve the situation
The initiatives – process and nature of initiatives
Time frames – when did this all happen
Changes/impact – physical, social, economical, ecological and cultural
Reasons why things worked out as they did. (We appreciate opinions / analysis / conclusions relevant to field level, as well as recommendations for policy makers).

Full editorial support is provided. As the articles go through a rigorous editorial process, authors are usually requested to provide additional information or clarifications.

Format

The length of the articles should be within 2500 words.
Articles should be submitted as a soft copy in Microsoft Word format.
Mention for which issue/theme is the article being submitted
Include no more than three references (any references should include at least year of publication, name of author, and publisher);
Provide a current contact address, at the bottom of the article itself. This will also be published in the magazine.
Include 2-6 photos, relevant to the article, providing suitable captions. Photos should be sent as separate image files. Image files should be of good resolution (file size should be a minimum of 500 kb). Provide photo credits, wherever applicable.

The editors reserve the right to decide whether or not to publish an article or contribution, after receipt of the first full draft. Articles that are accepted will be edited to LEISA India house style and shortened if necessary. Articles accepted for publication in LEISA India English edition may be chosen for translation and publication in any of the seven regional editions of LEISA India.