André Markemann

Resource use, cattle performance and output patterns on different farm types in a mountainous province of northern Vietnam

This study compares the use of resources, cattle performance and outputs on three different cattle-keeping farm types (mixed small farms, mixed medium farms with a collective use of natural pastures, and specialised large farms). The purpose was to evaluate the potential for beef production on household farms, where cattle keeping is integrated with cropping, compared with specialised large beef cattle farms. Data were collected by using farmer interviews, participatory rural appraisal tools and cattle body measurements, and analysed by linear models using SAS software. Household farms raised cattle at very low input levels. Medium farms had lower costs for cattle keeping than small farms in the lowlands (0.11 Vietnamese Dong × 106/farm.year compared with 1.20 Vietnamese Dong × 106/farm.year). High inputs were observed on all large farms. Only the local Yellow cattle was found in the highlands. Yellow cattle was less fertile in the highlands than in the lowlands (age at first calving of 3.2 years and calving interval of 16.3 months compared with 2.8 years and 12.6 months, respectively). Performances of exotic breeds varied according to feeding and breeding management of large farms. Crossbred Laisind cattle had a better productive adaptability than exotic beef breeds. Cattle were used mainly for working and manure by small farms. The stock value was highest on medium farms. Low outputs on large farms were a result of high feed costs, inappropriate management and the failure of markets. Results from simulations identify the medium mixed farms with access to natural pasture showing a potential for the development of beef production, provided that access to markets and cattle management is improved.

Traditional llama husbandry and breeding management in the Ayopaya region, Bolivia

The llama claims the largest population of the domestic South American camelids, most of which are raised in Bolivia. More than 53,000 rural families are dedicated to llama husbandry as part of their livelihood strategy. Contemporary Andean societies deliberately select animals for specific traits and employ substantial livestock management to secure subsistence. This study presents traditional llama husbandry and breeding management activities in the Ayopaya region, Bolivia. Traditional selection traits for male and female llamas are documented and assessed by a ranking and a ratio-scaled evaluation. Husbandry and management parameters are in concordance with other studies conducted in the region, but show a high variation. Average llama herd sizes are rather small (μ = 45.6). In some herds, breeding males are utilized for a long time and mix with other herds, causing concerns about inbreeding. Preferred trait groups for llama males according to farmers’ responses were body conformation, fibre, testicle conformation, fleece colour and height at withers. Traditional selection criteria generally relate to the phenotype, but also include the commercially interesting fibre trait. The presented results should be considered in breeding and management programmes for the respective llama population to ensure sustainable use of this genetically and culturally valuable resource.

Potential for the development of a marketing option for the specialty local Ban pork of a Thai ethnic smallholder cooperative group in Northwest Vietnam

Based on 12 years of research (SFB 564 “The Uplands Program”), a community-based breeding and marketing cooperative group was transferred to an ethnic farmer group. This study analyses the potential for developing a marketing channel for specialty local Ban pork as an alternative to supplying the local markets to ensure long-term sustainability of the communal local pig breeding and production system. Data on pig-keeping were investigated from 378 farmers who wanted to enroll in the cooperative group in 10 villages (near town, intermediate, and remote zones) in Son La province. The data on Ban pig marketing activities of the cooperative group were investigated for all of its 180 members. Information on the market demand for Ban pigs were collected by interviewing 57 traders in Hanoi city and Son La province. The results show a dominance of local Ban in remote areas, and a preference for crossbreds with exotics in closer-to-town areas. Before farmers joined the cooperative group, the commercialization of pigs in remote villages accounted for only 3.0 pigs/farm/year compared to 9.3 pigs/farm/year in the intermediate zone and 11.2 pigs/farm/year near town. Potential markets have been identified for each product category of the cooperative group. Pure Ban pigs with a weight of 10–15 kg were preferred most by customers in Hanoi city. The regular feedback of information on niche markets for different products has increased the awareness of farmers about the competitiveness of the local pig products, and the power of collective action in the market. Selected pure Ban pigs were increasingly sold to food stores in Hanoi with high prices. Farmers received an average of 9000 VND more compared to the local market price for each kg of live weight. The respective added value for the cooperative group amounted to 11,300 VND/kg live weight. The added value from selling specialty Ban pigs regularly to markets, encouraged farmers toward a market in local pig production and participation in the cooperative group. For the long-term development of the cooperative group, trademark registration is envisaged, along with strict quality control to help protect the brand of the product.

Constraints and challenges of meeting the water requirements of livestock in Ethiopia: cases of Lume and Siraro districts

Compared to the total water use in livestock production systems, water for livestock drinking is small in amount but is an important requirement for health and productivity of animals. This study was carried out to assess constraints and challenges of meeting drinking water requirements of livestock in rural mixed smallholder crop–livestock farming districts in the Ethiopian Rift Valley area. Data was collected by individual interviews with randomly selected respondents and farmer group discussions. Farmers ranked feed and water scarcity as the two most important constraints for livestock husbandry, although the ranking order differed between districts and villages. Poor quality water was a concern for the communities in proximity to urban settlements or industrial establishments. Water provision for livestock was challenging during the dry season, since alternative water sources dried up or were polluted. Though rainwater harvesting by dugout constructions was practiced to cope with water scarcity, farmers indicated that mismanagement of the harvested water was posing health risks on both livestock and people. A sustainable water provision for livestock in the area, thus, depends on use of different water sources (intermittent or perennial) that should be properly managed. Industrial establishments should adopt an environment-friendly production to minimize pollution of water resources used for livestock consumption. Technical support to farmers is required in proper design and use of existing rainwater harvesting systems. Further investigations are recommended on effect of poor quality water (perceived by farmers) on performance of livestock.

Beef cattle keeping by smallholders in a mountainous province of northern Vietnam in relation to poverty status, community remoteness and ethnicity

Vietnam’s national beef demand is continuously increasing, but is not able to be satisfied by domestic supply. Because land scarcity is a major constraint to beef production in many parts of the country, attempts to enhance beef production in Vietnam have focussed on small-scale household farms in remoter areas. The present study aimed to investigate the relation between cattle keeping and poverty status of household farms in Son La province, north-west Vietnam. In addition, altitude, community remoteness and technology adoption of the investigated households were considered for an evaluation of the feasibility of smallholder beef cattle production in the upland areas. Data on livestock production of 299 randomly selected households of different ethnic groups in the lowlands and highlands of Yen Chau district, Son La province, were collected by using structured and standardised questionnaires. The poverty status of the households was defined on basis of daily per-capita expenditures, dividing the investigated households into poor and non-poor farmers with daily per-capita expenditures below and above the rural poverty line, respectively. Cattle keeping farms in Yen Chau district showed advantages in terms of available land and labour resources compared with non-cattle keeping farms. Cattle were kept mainly by non-poor farmers, particularly the Thai, whose farm holdings are most commonly located in the lowlands. The number of cattle raised on farm was related to the poverty status of the households and remoteness. Cattle compete with other livestock in the use of limited farm resources. Cattle keeping farms more frequently applied feeding innovations to reduce feed competition on farm than the non-cattle keeping households. For the very poor, small animals are more appropriate than beef cattle production activities. Only in the identified advantageous regions, smallholder farmers might engage in beef production, if appropriate policies are implemented to support them in raising cattle. Consequently, the development of beef production under those conditions could contribute to poverty reduction by increasing smallholder’s incomes in the remote highland regions.