Artificial intelligence and precision livestock farming: Enabling sustainable small ruminant systems in arid regions
Ebru EMSEN
Abstract. Climate change and resource scarcity are reshaping livestock production systems worldwide, with particularly profound impacts in arid and semi-arid regions. Small ruminants, such as sheep and goats, remain central to food security, rural livelihoods, and cultural heritage in these environments, yet their production efficiency and welfare are increasingly constrained by water shortages, heat stress, and land degradation. This review explores the role of artificial intelligence (AI) and precision livestock farming (PLF) technologies in advancing climate-resilient and sustainable small ruminant management. Recent literature indicates that computer vision, wearable sensors, and machine learning models offer new opportunities for real-time monitoring of reproduction, health, and behavior. These digital innovations can contribute to more precise decision-making, reduce inputs such as water and feed, and enable early detection of welfare concerns. At the systems level, AI-driven solutions are increasingly linked to the energy–water–food nexus, where efficiency gains in flock management translate into broader sustainability outcomes. However, challenges remain regarding technology adoption by farmers, infrastructure needs, and integration of digital tools into existing production systems. By synthesizing evidence from current studies, this work highlights pathways for aligning small ruminant production with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDG 2: Zero Hunger, SDG 12: Responsible Consumption and Production, and SDG 13: Climate Action). The paper concludes that cross-disciplinary collaborations combining animal science, engineering, and data analytics are critical to scale AI solutions for sustainable livestock in resource-limited regions.
Keywords
Artificial Intelligence, Precision Livestock Farming, Small Ruminants, Climate Action, Energy–Water–Food Nexus
Published online 6/20/2026, 7 pages
Copyright © 2026 by the author(s)
Published under license by Materials Research Forum LLC., Millersville PA, USA
Citation: Ebru EMSEN, Artificial intelligence and precision livestock farming: Enabling sustainable small ruminant systems in arid regions, Materials Research Proceedings, Vol. 67, pp 488-494, 2026
DOI: https://doi.org/10.21741/9781644904176-64
The article was published as article 64 of the book Climate Action and Sustainability
Content from this work may be used under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 3.0 license. Any further distribution of this work must maintain attribution to the author(s) and the title of the work, journal citation and DOI.
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