<![CDATA[Feed security is a major challenge in livestock production systems, especially with the limited availability of conventional feed ingredients competing with human food needs and high price volatility. The use of cashew nut shell (CNS) as an alternative feed component can address this challenge. This study adopts a systematic literature review design to identify, analyze, and synthesize empirical research on the utilization of CNS in sheep rations published within the last decade (2016–2025). The aim of this study is to analyze the nutritional potential, biological benefits, as well as the challenges and development opportunities of CNS as sheep feed. The findings show that CNS contains energy levels comparable to conventional feed ingredients, and it also contains bioactive compounds such as anacardic acid and cardol, which act as natural antimicrobial agents and can reduce enteric methane emissions. However, the use of CNS faces challenges related to the presence of toxic phenolic compounds, although these can be mitigated with processing technologies such as fermentation, thermal treatment, and extraction. CNS holds significant potential as an affordable, environmentally friendly, and sustainable alternative feed. Its use contributes to climate change mitigation by reducing methane emissions. This article provides a significant contribution to applied science by offering empirical evidence to support the sustainability of livestock systems through the utilization of alternative feed resources]]>
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