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.

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.

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.

scholarly journals Is Improved Milk Production from Supplementation of Buffalo with Molasses Nutrient Blocks Containing 10% Urea, a Greenhouse Gas Emissions Mitigation Strategy?

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Peter Windsor ◽  
Susan Martin ◽  
Syseng Khounsy ◽  
James Young ◽  
Peter Thomson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Milk Production ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Ghg Emissions ◽  
Rural Livelihoods ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Budget Analysis ◽  
Large Ruminant ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Daily Milk Production

Milk production from Asiatic swamp buffalo is a new enterprise in Laos. As yields are limited, provision of high-quality Cow-Calf molasses nutrient blocks containing 10% urea (UMNB10) may improve productivity. A trial in a recently established commercial buffalo dairy examined dietary supplementation of lactating buffalo cows with UMNB10, with 3 groups of 9 cows in mid-lactation randomly selected. Two groups received ad-libitum access to UMBs with the remaining group free of block supplements. All animals were daily fed fresh Napier grass (30kg), corn (750gm), rice bran (1.45kg), plus accessed fresh Mulatto grass. Daily milk production (DMP) and body condition score (BCS) were recorded for the 2 months of access to UMB. Average DMP for the 2 supplemented groups were 1.02 litres and 0.96 litres, compared to 0.78 litres for the control group, suggesting improved milk productivity of 31% and 24% from accessing UMB. Partial budget analysis identified a strong incentive for use of the molasses blocks, with a net profit of USD408 and USD295 over a 30-day period for the supplemented groups. Molasses nutrient blocks may be a simple motivator for smallholder farmers in developing countries to increase the efficiency of large ruminant production, improving rural livelihoods, food security and potentially, reducing GHG emissions.

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.

Building insurance through an NGO

2016 ◽  
Vol 76 (1) ◽  
pp. 119-139 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marie-Christine Bélanger
Keyword(s):  
Design Methodology ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Crop Insurance ◽  
Specific Training ◽  
Close Collaboration ◽  
Agricultural Insurance ◽  
Content Type ◽  
Level Of Education ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities

Purpose – This paper is based on a crop insurance implementation currently undergoing in Haiti. The purpose of this paper is to present the development of a program tailored to rice production in the Artibonite Valley, the challenges and opportunities that are arising from the exercise as well as pitfalls and ways to avoid them. Design/methodology/approach – The Système de Financement et d’Assurances Agricoles en Haïti’s approach for the development of crop insurance is in accordance with 13 concepts considered essential in the implementation of agricultural insurance programs. The case study is presented through each of these 13 fundamental concepts. Findings – The paper provides an insight on challenges any organization will face when implementing crop insurance for smallholder farmers. It points out notably that close collaboration of executing agencies with local partners is essential from data collection through insurance development and delivery and that all participants should receive a specific training tailored to their level of education and understanding. Social implications – Haiti is one of the poorest countries on the planet. Smallholder farmers could benefit a lot from crop insurance. It could help them stabilize their income when facing crop losses due to natural hazards or uncontrollable natural events. Originality/value – This paper fulfills an identified need to share real case studies exposing challenges faced when implementing crop insurance for smallholder farmers.

Comparison of feed intake, digestibility and fattening performance of Brahman grade cattle (Bos indicus) and crossbred water buffalo (Bubalus bubalis)

2004 ◽  
Vol 75 (6) ◽  
pp. 549-555 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rosalina M. LAPITAN ◽  
Arnel N. DEL BARRIO ◽  
Osamu KATSUBE ◽  
Tomomi TOKUDA ◽  
Edgar A. ORDEN ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Feed Intake ◽  
Water Buffalo ◽  
Bos Indicus ◽  
Bubalus Bubalis ◽  
Fattening Performance

Water and sanitation in Africa: current status, trends, challenges and opportunities

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
George Kararach ◽  
Tito Yepes
Keyword(s):  
Economic Growth ◽  
Rural Poverty ◽  
Water Security ◽  
River Basins ◽  
Current Status ◽  
Institution Building ◽  
Infrastructure Development ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Hydrological Variability ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities

Africa faces difficult water/sanitation legacies in the form of high hydrological variability and a multiplicity of transboundary river basins alongside poor sanitation. These challenges impeded the continent’s economic growth. Balanced investments in water resource and sanitation infrastructure and institutions are needed to increase productive uses of water, to mitigate the effect of recurrent floods and droughts, and to achieve basic water security as a platform for Africa’s economic growth. Priority should be given to investments that (a) focus on growth, (b) reduce rural poverty, (c) build climate resilience and adaptation, and (d) foster cooperation in international river basins. Because most African countries have low stocks of hydraulic infrastructure, emphasizing investments in infrastructure is appropriate for them. However, institution building and reform, improvements in water/sanitation management and operations, and strengthening of water information systems must complement growth in infrastructure. Development of institutions should be advanced in parallel with infrastructure investment.

scholarly journals Education, Work, and Motherhood in Low and Middle Income Countries: A Review of Equality Challenges and Opportunities for Women with Disabilities

2018 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 82-93 ◽  
Author(s):  
Belaynesh Tefera ◽  
Marloes L. Van Engen ◽  
Alice Schippers ◽  
Arne H. Eide ◽  
Amber Kersten ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cultural Practices ◽  
Women With Disabilities ◽  
Middle Income ◽  
Governmental Organization ◽  
Middle Income Countries ◽  
Governmental Organizations ◽  
Non Governmental Organizations ◽  
Challenges And Opportunities ◽  
The Government ◽  
Low And Middle Income

This study looks at the equality challenges and opportunities for women with disabilities in low and middle income countries (LMICs) to participate and succeed in education, employment and motherhood. It is based on a systematic review of the literature from academic and non-governmental organization databases. The search of these databases yielded 24 articles, which were subsequently passed through open, axial, and selective coding. The resulting review found that women with disabilities in LMICs have severe difficulty participating and succeeding in education, employment and motherhood due to a number of interrelated factors: (i) hampered access to education, employment, intimacy and marriage, (ii) stigma and cultural practices resulting in discrimination and prejudice, and (iii) lack of support from family, teachers and institutions—all of which are exacerbated by poverty. Support from families, communities, the government, and non-governmental organizations improves women’s ability to fulfil their social roles (as students, employees and mothers), resulting in a better quality of life. Strategies that create awareness, minimize poverty and facilitate justice may improve the opportunities for women with disabilities in LMICs to participate in education, employment and motherhood, as well as their ability to succeed in these domains.

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