Livestock: which way?
Livestock production is important for the majority of farmers in developing countries, especially for small farmers in more marginal conditions where land cannot be used for other purposes.
Traditional farmers often have mixed systems in which the production of crops, animals and natural resources are integrated, products are of multiple-use, and waste products of one sub-system are used as inputs in other sub-systems.
Although integrated livestock systems have considerable potential to improve livestock production, the chances of small farmers competing with industrial livestock production will remain weak as long as research, policies and education systems do not change.
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7 - 9written by Leah GarcesWith the global demand for meat increasing, the system of meat production is changing and will continue to do so. Smallholders in the South traditionally raise animals in non-intensive multi-purpose systems. However, industrialised factory farming is on the increase in some regions, and this article raises concerns about the future negative impacts of this intensive system.
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10 - 11written by Katrien van het HooftMost smallholders in rural Bolivian communities have developed mixed systems, producing crops and rearing animals, alongside other income-generating strategies. This diversification is important, and this article looks at ways in which keeping livestock can be further encouraged and improved to better contribute to livelihoods and build on local resources and knowledge.
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12 - 13written by Ana Primavesi , Odo PrimavesiThe authors of this article show how cattle farming in Brazil can be optimised in an ecologically sound way. They argue for management practices that influence the interactions between the different aspects of the production system - climate, soil and soil life, vegetation and cattle. Increasing the water availability for better plant growth, introduction of shade trees for enhancing the micro-climate, grazing rotation instead of burning pastures, integration of leguminous forage plants and elimination of nutrient deficiencies are some of the topics discussed. Towards \"green meat\" and \"green milk\" is what, according to the authors, animal production should strive for.
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14 - 15written by Enrique MurgueitioIn Colombia, the vast majority of agricultural land is owned and farmed by rich farmers. Subsistence farmers have access to only about 10% of the land area and so need to produce in an increasingly intensive way. CIPAV, together with farmers has been working on integrated systems to better use available reseources. Such systems include agroforestry options, use of by-products and keeping animals in stalls. This article describes these systems, their development and success.
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16 - 17Rice yields in the mountainous regions of Lao are declining. One strategy to cope with this has been to raise animals, or increase the number and type of animals raised. Various feeding and management strategies are being developed in order to build some resilience into Lao farming systems. It is stressed that this is not a final solution, but one step in the path towards sustainable development.
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18 - 19written by Nelson AR MangoIn 1979, the National Dairy Development Project of Kenya introduced a dairy farm concept based on zero grazing, with animals kept in stalls and a cut and carry fodder system. The article describes the main components of this ZG concept and how the Luo people of Siaya district have adapted it to suit their specific conditions. For instance, the Luo farmers do not grow napier grass as recommended by the NDDP as it is labour intensive; they have found a less labour intensive form which is called tumbukisa. Luo farmers have also found ways of adapting the feeding regime suggested by NDDP; instead of commercial feed, they have come up with a \"home-mix\" dairy meal and use brewer\'s waste as a supplement. For some farmers who aimed at milk production, ZG has become a viable alternative to coffee, sugar and cotton growing. For others, ZG is a way of re-establishing the balance between crop and livestock production.
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20 - 21written by Fernando Funes Monzote , Marta Monzote FernandezOne of the responses to the crisis in Cuban agriculture was to study, develop and promote integrated small and medium scale crop-livestock-tree systems. Through a large outreach and research programme, the project showed that these systems can be productive, efficient alternatives to external input dependant dairy farming. Various combinations of crops, trees and livestock were tested, and building on agroecological principles, these systems show high potential in terms of sustainability and being environmentally sound.
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22 - 23written by Osman Rocha RavolloBolivia has the highest number of llamas in the world. In rural families they provide transport, meat, manure and wool. Despite there being some limitations to llama husbandry, the importance they play in social and cultural life means they are valued. They are also well adapted to this region and have economic and ecological potential. This article outlines some successful management and marketing strategies that have brought advantages to the llama owners.
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24 - 25written by Willem van Weperen , Henk KieftDutch dairy farming in the last fifty years focused on increasing milk production through a variety of interventions that included technology development, effective research-extension-farmer interaction, access to credit, conducive policies etc. However, this development resulted in increased environmental as well as animal health problems. Many animal-related crises in the recent past has raised consumer concern considerably. Ten years ago, two environmental farmer associations in the Friesian province of the Netherlands began experimenting with environmentally-sound farming practices and integrated agriculture. Although these experiments raised suspicion within the authorities, initially, the results are gradually gaining recognition. Now, more than 120 farmers have taken on the initiative and together with researchers they have formed a platform called PMOV to take the initiative further. This experience shows that farmers are able to resolve their own problems and make their farming systems sustainable.
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26 - 26written by T.R. PrestonIn developing countries, instead of feeding livestock on grain, alternative systems need to be developed, which make optimal use of locally available resources including soils, solar energy and water. Some alternative energy adn protein crops with potential are outlined in this article.
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27 - 27written by WMK WarsiThe LIFE network (Local Livestock for Empowerment of Rural People) was established in order to study and document indigenous knowledge relating to livestock breeding and breeds. Domestic animal diversity is under threat, and this network was born as a response. Many local livestock breeds represent the lifeline of rural communities, and while they cannot \"compete\" with improved breeds in milk and meat yields, they perform other important functions. This rich genetic diversity needs to be preserved, and the LIFE network will contribute to this aim, you are invited to join.
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28 - 29written by Paul Van Mele , Vo The TruyenThis article shows how predatory ants can be very beneficial in fruit production. Mr.Cung from Vietnam shares his observations on how useful weaver ants can be, and the best ways of managing these ants for the benefit of his citrus and fruit trees.
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36 - 36written by Katrien van het Hooft , El Hadji Fallou Gueye (Dr.)This article describes some of the networks established to support family poultry projects, for example raising indigenous breeds under local conditions. Various networks and websites provide information and access to research activities.
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