In resource-poor households, these animals are often kept under scavenging conditions with little or no attention paid to supplementing feed inputs, or to disease control and housing. The inputs that are purchased are usually for cattle in those households which have them. Livestock provide products for cash sale when a need arises, and provide the household with much needed protein, draught power and manure.

The Coping Strategies Toolbox focuses on the role and importance of livestock in development and poverty reduction. The toolbox aims to provide a range of practical information and descriptions of techniques and "tools" to assist in increasing the efficiency of operations of smallholders and the productivity of their animals.