Data driven investment and performance management in the livestock sector

Evidence based decision making is now axiomatic in many sectors and it has become increasingly important in prioritising development in low and middle income countries. In the livestock development sector, there has been a lack of data on health and production on which to establish an evidence base. Thus, much strategic and policy decision making has been based on more subjective bases of opinion, expert or otherwise. However, there is now a trend towards a more data-driven approach for such decisions. The Centre for Supporting Evidence-Based Interventions in Livestock was established in Edinburgh by the Bill and Melinda Gates Foundation in 2016, to collate and publish livestock health and production data, lead a community of practice to harmonise livestock data-related methodologies and, to develop and monitor performance indicators for livestock investments.