Animal production is the branch of agriculture focused on the breeding, raising, and management of livestock and other animals to produce various products such as meat, milk, eggs, fiber, and other animal-derived goods. It involves practices like animal husbandry, nutrition, health care, selective breeding, and overall management aimed at optimizing the quantity and quality of these products while ensuring animal welfare and sustainability
. This sector plays a vital role in the global food system by providing essential sources of protein and nutrients, supporting livelihoods, and contributing to economic, cultural, and social functions beyond just food production. Animal production systems range from small-scale pastoralism to large-scale intensive farming and include species such as cattle, sheep, goats, pigs, poultry, and aquaculture species like fish and shellfish
. Sustainable animal production seeks to balance efficient livestock rearing with positive or neutral socioeconomic and environmental outcomes, addressing challenges such as feed efficiency, disease control, and environmental impact
. It is an integral part of agriculture that also involves managing land use primarily for raising animals or producing animal products like eggs and dairy
. In summary, animal production encompasses all activities related to raising animals for food and other products, combining traditional husbandry with modern techniques to meet the growing demand for animal-based foods globally
