Progressing smallholder large-ruminant productivity to reduce rural poverty and address food security in upland northern Lao PDR

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (7) ◽  
pp. 899 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Nampanya ◽  
S. Khounsy ◽  
L. Rast ◽  
J. R. Young ◽  
R. D. Bush ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Longitudinal Study ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Lao Pdr ◽  
Rural Poverty ◽  
Foot And Mouth Disease ◽  
Daily Weight Gain ◽  
Regional Food ◽  
Large Ruminant ◽  
Free Grazing

Applied participatory research on large-ruminant health and production was conducted in six villages in northern Lao PDR. Three villages were classified as ‘high intervention’ (HI) and the remaining three as ‘low intervention’ (LI) sites, with a suite of health and productivity interventions implemented in the HI sites enabling comparison of outcomes with the LI sites, where only a vaccination program was introduced. A 3-year longitudinal study to establish baseline production variables, including liveweight, average daily weight gain (ADG) and reproductive performance, was conducted. The study involved 1500 head of cattle and buffalo that were ear-tagged and weighed every 3–4 months between 2008 and 2011, producing 10 data-collection points. Significant differences in ADG of the cattle between the provinces (P < 0.001), but not between HI and LI villages (P = 0.39), was observed. Low calving rates (51–75% and 41–52%) and inter-calving intervals (13.6–15.7 and 18.6–20.6 months) for cattle and buffalo, respectively, were observed. An on-farm large ruminant-fattening trial (n = 44) was conducted over a 4-month period to examine differences in productivity between cut-and-carry stall fattening (n = 26) and free-grazing (n = 18) systems. Cattle and buffalo in fattening stalls (320 and 217 g/day) had significantly greater ADG than those free-grazing (40 and 85 g/day) (P < 0.001 and P = 0.001). The increase in sale value for fattened cattle and buffalo was US$78 and US$123, respectively. The longitudinal study indicated that if risks of important diseases such as foot and mouth disease and haemorrhagic septicaemia are controlled by vaccination and biosecurity, improved productivity outcomes in northern Lao PDR can be achieved by establishing forage plantations to better manage variations in seasonal availability of feed and enabling fattening. We conclude that improved large-ruminant productivity, by improving health and nutrition practices, offers opportunities for smallholder farmers to increase livestock income, alleviate rural poverty and improve regional food security in South-east Asia.

Smallholder large ruminant health and production in Lao PDR: challenges and opportunities for improving domestic and regional beef supply

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 1001 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Nampanya ◽  
S. Khounsy ◽  
J. R. Young ◽  
V. Napasirth ◽  
R. D. Bush ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Lao Pdr ◽  
Rural Poverty ◽  
Rural Livelihoods ◽  
Bubalus Bubalis ◽  
Large Ruminant ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
Marketing Systems

Indigenous yellow cattle (Bos indicus) and Asiatic swamp buffalo (Bubalus bubalis) are important livestock species in the Lao People’s Democratic Republic (Laos). Data from 2011 estimated there was a national herd of 1 586 200 cattle and 774 200 buffalo, with average numbers of 5.3 cattle and 3.4 buffalo per farm household, indicating that the majority of farm households with large ruminants were smallholders, retaining large ruminants as a storage of wealth, for sale as meat, and as a source of manure fertiliser. Increasing demand for red meat in both domestic and neighbouring markets, driven by rapidly growing economies and urbanisation, offers opportunities for Lao smallholders to gain more income from their livestock. However, improving cattle and buffalo production and a more sustainable supply of safe beef and buffalo meat, requires that numerous production, health and welfare constraints be addressed, including: prevalence of important infectious and parasitic diseases, nutritional deficits particularly in the dry season, undeveloped trading, meat processing and marketing systems, limited veterinary and extension service capacity, adverse impacts from climate change and cultural practices specific to buffalo husbandry, plus policy developments that recognise and adapt to changes in land use. Improvements in large ruminant health, processing and marketing are of particular importance as these will enable poor smallholder farmers to participate in emerging beef markets and expand other agricultural enterprises, improving rural livelihoods, with potential reductions in rural poverty and increased food security. This paper identifies the strategic interventions that may increase the supply of cattle and buffalo and improve rural livelihoods in Laos and the Greater Mekong Subregion.

scholarly journals Implementing large Foot and Mouth Disease vaccination programmes for smallholder farmers: lessons from Lao PDR

2018 ◽  
Vol 146 (16) ◽  
pp. 2086-2095 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Nampanya ◽  
S. Khounsy ◽  
R. Abila ◽  
P. A. Windsor
Keyword(s):  
High Risk ◽  
Vaccination Programme ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Lao Pdr ◽  
Foot And Mouth Disease ◽  
Mouth Disease ◽  
Total Income ◽  
Large Ruminant ◽  
Foot And Mouth ◽  
Risk Areas

AbstractThis study assessed smallholder finances and their attitudes towards the Foot and Mouth Disease (FMD) vaccination programme, when 1 620 000 vaccine doses were provided for strategic administration in large ruminants in FMD ‘high-risk’ areas in Laos between 2012 and 2016. Farmers (n = 168) in the provinces of Xayyabouli (XYL), Xiengkhoung (XK) and Huaphan (HP), were interviewed. Over 91% of the farmers responded that their livestock were vaccinated for FMD, with over 86% ranking FMD vaccination as a good or very good intervention. No FMD cases were reported from the vaccinated provinces after May 2013. Examination of the total income per household in XYL, XK and HP indicated earnings of US$5060(±650), US$4260(±294) and US$1691(±676), respectively (P = 0.001), with 23%, 28% and 68% of the total incomes from annual sales of large ruminant, respectively. Of the farmers in XYL, XK and HP, 83%, 93% and 70% (P = 0.009) said their annual income increased compared with 2012, and 47%, 64% and 41%, respectively (P = 0.005), indicated this increase was from additional large ruminant sales. The study indicated that this large FMD vaccination programme was well regarded by participating farmers and may have provided satisfactory suppression of the disease in Laos, despite not achieving the preferred vaccination coverage. Continuation of the vaccination programme in FMD high-risk areas is suggested as desirable.

Socio-Economic Impacts of Foot and Mouth Disease Among Cattle Farmers in Sagaing and Mandalay Areas, Myanmar

2014 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ai Thanda Kyaw
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Economic Impacts ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Lao Pdr ◽  
Foot And Mouth Disease ◽  
Mouth Disease ◽  
Economic Costs ◽  
Foot And Mouth ◽  
World Organisation ◽  
Control And Eradication

The World Organisation for Animal Health (OIE) Sub-Regional Representation for South East Asia (OIE SRR-SEA) implemented the Stop Transboundary Animal Diseases and Zoonoses (STANDZ) Programme funded by AusAID to strengthen the veterinary services and effectively manage the control and eradication of foot and mouth disease (FMD) in Cambodia, Lao PDR and Myanmar. The purpose of the study is to understand how FMD outbreaks impact smallholder farmers, both men and women, at the household and village level and how control and eradication of FMD would benefit them. Specific aims are to estimate the direct and indirect socio-economic costs associated with the outbreaks of FMD as well as of the measures taken by farmers to deal with such outbreaks and to identify issues that contributed to the socio-economic impacts of FMD outbreaks and opportunities to reduce them.

Do triclabendazole medicated molasses blocks have a role in control of Fasciola gigantica in smallholder cattle production in Lao PDR?

2019 ◽  
Vol 59 (4) ◽  
pp. 787 ◽  
Author(s):  
P. A. Windsor ◽  
S. Nampanya ◽  
B. Kinnavong ◽  
P. Phommasone ◽  
R. D. Bush ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Therapeutic Potential ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Average Daily Gain ◽  
Lao Pdr ◽  
Fasciola Gigantica ◽  
Daily Weight Gain ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Cattle Production ◽  
Farmer Knowledge

Smallholder cattle production in many developing tropical countries including Laos is compromised by widespread endoparasitism, with limited farmer knowledge of parasites and facilities for administration of therapeutics. We report a pilot study examining the potential for triclabendazole provided in medicated molasses blocks offered to control Fasciola gigantica in smallholder cattle production. This study involved 241 cattle allocated into three groups: (1) triclabendazole (as Fasinex®, Novartis Animal Health Australia, Pty Ltd) medicated molasses blocks (MMB) with each tonne of MMB containing 0.5 kg triclabendazole; (2) unmedicated molasses blocks; and (3) a Control group. Data and faecal samples were obtained at Weeks 1, 4, 8 and 12 for faecal egg counts (FEC) determination. Reductions in FEC in the MMB group of 90.48% and a mean FEC of 4 ± 17 eggs per gram of faeces at 12 weeks post-treatment was observed, with liveweight increasing from 174.60 (±3.35) kg to 191.50 (±3.69) kg in Weeks 1 and 12, respectively (P = 001) and an average daily weight gain of 201 g/day. Reduction in FEC in the unmedicated molasses blocks group was also observed, by 28.78% and 18.96%, with liveweight increasing from 179.50 (±3.35) kg to 189.90 (±6.05) kg in Weeks 1 and 12 respectively (P = 0.3), with an average daily gain of 124 g/day. This study suggests that productivity was enhanced when triclabendazole was added to the blocks, delivering parasite suppression or potentially therapeutic doses on ad libitum feeding of the MMB. Although further work is required to establish the therapeutic potential of MMB, the use of MMB may offer a parasite management and nutritional supplementation strategy for smallholder farmers, particularly in Laos and other countries where unmanaged Fasciola spp. infestations reduce ruminant productivity and facilities for animal restraint to enable delivery of oral anthelmintics, are largely non-existent.

Fasciola gigantica infection in large ruminants in northern Laos: smallholder knowledge and practices

2017 ◽  
Vol 57 (1) ◽  
pp. 141 ◽  
Author(s):  
L. Rast ◽  
S. Nampanya ◽  
J.-A. L. M. L. Toribio ◽  
S. Khounsy ◽  
P. A. Windsor
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Rural Poverty ◽  
Rural Livelihoods ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Prevention Measures ◽  
Farmer Knowledge ◽  
The Past ◽  
Large Ruminant ◽  
Fasciola Spp ◽  
And Control

High prevalence of Fasciola spp. infection in smallholder large ruminant farming systems has been confirmed in many regions of South-East Asia, yet information on trematode knowledge and any control practices of large ruminant farmers is lacking. We surveyed smallholder farmers (n = 326) in northern Laos on knowledge of liver fluke and its management in their large ruminants, identifying 93.1% of farmers had no knowledge and 6.9% minimal knowledge of the parasite and impacts on large ruminant production. The survey further confirmed anecdotal reports that control or prevention measures were lacking, with none of the surveyed producers using effective anthelminthic treatments or grazing strategies to control Fasciola spp. This was despite 20.6% of farmers having reported observing leaf-shaped parasites in the liver of their cattle or buffalo when slaughtered in the past. With increasing demand for red meat in the region, subsistence smallholder farmers are able to supply this market and increase their income. Athough the production impact of fascioliasis in large ruminants in these farming systems still needs to be quantified, farmer knowledge and control of fascioliasis in this region is likely to increase livestock productivity and improve rural livelihoods. This would help to address regional rural poverty and food insecurity, but requires improved knowledge to address the identified knowledge and practice gaps on presence, impact and control of fasciolosis. The majority (95.4%) of surveyed farmers indicated a desire to learn more about fascioliasis in large ruminants, suggesting that extension methods used in the past need adapting to result in more effective knowledge transfer and changed practices in future.

Financial Impact of Foot and Mouth Disease on Large Ruminant Smallholder Farmers in the Greater Mekong Subregion

2013 ◽  
Vol 62 (5) ◽  
pp. 555-564 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Nampanya ◽  
S. Khounsy ◽  
A. Phonvisay ◽  
J. R. Young ◽  
R. D. Bush ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Foot And Mouth Disease ◽  
Mouth Disease ◽  
Financial Impact ◽  
Large Ruminant ◽  
Foot And Mouth ◽  
Greater Mekong Subregion

scholarly journals Better Agronomic Management Increases Climate Resilience of Maize to Drought in Tanzania

Atmosphere ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 11 (9) ◽  
pp. 982
Author(s):  
Wei Xiong ◽  
Elena Tarnavsky
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Maize Yield ◽  
Management Options ◽  
Maize Production ◽  
Regional Food ◽  
Climate Resilience ◽  
Agronomic Management ◽  
Yield Responses

Improved access to better seeds and other inputs, as well as to market and financing, provides greater harvest security for smallholder farmers in Africa, boosting their incomes and increasing food security. Since 2015, a variety of agronomic measures have been introduced and adopted by smallholder farmers under a program led by the United Nations’ World Food Program (WFP) called the Patient Procurement Platform (PPP). Here, we integrate a variety of agronomic measures proposed by the PPP to more than 20,000 smallholder farmers in Tanzania into 18 management strategies. We apply these across the country through grid-based crop model (DSSAT) simulations in order to quantify their benefits and risk to regional food security and smallholder farmers’ livelihoods. The simulation demonstrates current maize yields are far below potential yields in the country. Simulated yields across the nation were slightly higher than the mean of reported values from 1984 to 2014. Periodic droughts delayed farmers’ sowing and reduced maize yield, leading to high risk and low sustainability of maize production in most of the maize areas of the country. Better agronomic management strategies, particularly the combination of long-maturity, drought tolerance cultivars, with high fertilizer input, can potentially increase national maize production by up to five times, promoting Tanzania as a regional breadbasket. Our study provides detailed spatial and temporal information of the yield responses and their spatial variations, facilitating the adoption of various management options for stakeholders.

The impact of best practice health and husbandry interventions on smallholder cattle productivity in southern Cambodia

2014 ◽  
Vol 54 (5) ◽  
pp. 629 ◽  
Author(s):  
J. R. Young ◽  
L. Rast ◽  
S. Suon ◽  
R. D. Bush ◽  
L. A. Henry ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Food Security ◽  
Best Practice ◽  
Intervention Program ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Animal Health ◽  
Rural Poverty ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farmer Knowledge ◽  
Smallholder Farming ◽  
The Impact

Future food security has become a major global concern and is particularly important in the Greater Mekong Subregion where several countries have seen rapid urban economic development and increasing demand for red meat. In Cambodia, the majority of livestock producers are subsistence or semi-subsistence rural smallholder farmers using cattle as a source of protein, fertiliser, draught power, and asset storage. Potential income from smallholder cattle is limited by a range of factors that compromise productivity, including endemic diseases, poor nutrition, and lack of knowledge of husbandry techniques and marketing practices. To address the developing opportunities to improve rural incomes from cattle production in Cambodia, a 4-year longitudinal study was conducted to examine ‘best practice’ interventions that could improve productivity and profitability of cattle within smallholder farming systems. The study involved six villages from three provinces, with two villages in each of the provinces of Takeo, Kandal and Kampong Cham paired and designated as either high intervention (HI) or low intervention (LI). A best practice intervention program was introduced to the HI villages to develop the husbandry skills of farmers, including implementation of forage technology, disease prevention through vaccination for foot-and-mouth disease and haemorrhagic septicaemia, deworming, and education in nutrition, biosecurity, disease control, and marketing. Between April 2008 and February 2012, eight repeat-measures capturing data on animal health and production, including cattle weights used to evaluate the impact of interventions on average daily gains, were completed. Cattle in HI villages had significantly (P < 0.01) higher mean liveweight during the last three sampling periods, and average daily gains were 2.4 times higher than in cattle of the LI villages. This study provides evidence that best practice interventions resulted in improved cattle productivity, farmer knowledge and positive impacts on household income over time, offering a pathway that can address food security concerns and more rapidly alleviate rural poverty in the GMS.

scholarly journals Does smallholder farmers’ awareness of Sustainable Development Goal 2 improve household food security in the Northern Region of Ghana?

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Franklin Nantui Mabe ◽  
Eliasu Mumuni ◽  
Nashiru Sulemana
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Development ◽  
Food Security ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Northern Region ◽  
Household Food Security ◽  
Switching Regression ◽  
Sustainable Development Goal ◽  
Endogenous Switching Regression ◽  
Development Goal ◽  
Household Food

Abstract Background Sustainable Development Goal 2 aims at ending hunger, achieving food security, improving nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture. Whilst some smallholder farmers are aware of this goal, others are not. The question that arises is whether or not awareness translates into food security. Therefore, this study assessed whether or not smallholder farmers’ awareness of Sustainable Development Goal 2 improves household food security in the Northern Region of Ghana. Methods The study used cross-sectional primary data collected from two districts and two municipalities in the region. An endogenous switching regression treatment effects model with ordered outcome was used to estimate the effects of smallholder farmers’ awareness of Sustainable Development Goal 2 on household food insecurity level. Results The age of household head, distance of households to the regional capital, membership of farmer-based organizations, access to e-extension, education, and ownership of radio are the key drivers of farmers’ awareness of Sustainable Development Goal 2. The results from the endogenous switching regression treatment effects model with ordered outcome showed that households who are aware of the second goal are more food secure than their counterparts. Conclusions It is therefore prudent for stakeholders promoting and championing Sustainable Development Goals to educate farmers on goal 2 as their awareness of the goal is critical to achieving food security.

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