**6.2 Income pathway**

The contribution of livestock to household income ranges widely, from 2% to more than 33% in a number of developing countries [43]. It is assessed that more than 80% of poor Africans and up to 66% of poor people in India and Bangladesh keep livestock [44]. Thus, livestock as a source of income and employment is one of the other major impact pathways. According to studies [44], ASFs are income elastic, which means their consumption increases with an increase in income. ASFs are normally associated with wealth as higher income households eat more ASF than poor households [45]. Income from livestock can be through sale, employment, and insurance. Livestock is generally called the savings bank on hooves of smallholder farmers. Livestock function as insurance policies and bank accounts in many parts of the developing world [46]. The capitalisation of underutilised family labour, assets like manure, draft power that can be either used or sold also contributes to the income in an indirect way. As per the data of the international labour organisation, the livestock sector contributes to 60–70% of employment in developing countries, particularly in Asia and Africa. Thus, being a potential sector that provides employment to a larger section of society livestock sector enhances the income provides security in emergency situations through insurance, which eventually improves the diets of people by positively influencing their dietary choices and other medical and educational needs.
