Africa, Livestock and AIDS

When one sets aside the humanitarian aspects of the AIDS pandemic in Africa and looks at it from a purely economic issue, it is interesting to note the ripple effect throughout the economy. Economic health revolves around human lives, their productivity, and their consumption of that which is produced. In order to have a healthy economy there must be healthy people.

I think too often governments forget that the well-being of all people must be raised in order for economies to thrive. Instead of repressing people groups or those in specific economic or social strata, governments should seek to improve the situation of all groups. The result will be more wealth for all.


Livestock production threatened by HIV/AIDS

Better management could increase livestock as a household asset

30 November 2007, Rome – Not only is AIDS taking a dramatic toll on human lives but livestock production, a main income earner for rural households, is also being threatened in the most affected countries, FAO warned today.

With more than 60 percent of all people aged between 15 and 49 years living with HIV to be found in sub-Saharan Africa of whom 11.4 million are children orphaned by AIDS, the effect on the all important livestock sector has become a real concern.

Livestock make a substantial contribution to...(complete article here).