scholarly journals Assessing Sustainability of Smallholder Beef Cattle Farming in Indonesia: A Case Study Using the FAO SAFA Framework

2016 ◽  
Vol 9 (3) ◽  
pp. 236 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siwi Gayatri ◽  
Vincent Gasso-tortajada ◽  
Mette Vaarst
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Household Head ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Family Farms ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
National Goal ◽  
Food And Agriculture ◽  
Lack Of Information

<span lang="EN-US">This article aims to assess the sustainability of smallholder beef cattle farms in Indonesia, where there is a national goal to improve the country’s beef self-sufficiency, and to explore and discuss potential improvement limitations and solutions. This article presents a sustainability assessment based on the FAO SAFA (Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agriculture Systems) of six selected family farms representing three types of family farming systems (with only family labour; with hired labour; and with hired labour and a 'middleman in marketing system'). Individual structured interviews based on the SAFA guidelines were conducted and the results analysed with the <em>SAFA Tool</em> software. The results showed that the SAFA sustainability performance generally scored better in the farming system with relatively more resources and hired labour, and the household head also working as middleman, as compared to the other two farming systems with some or no hired labour. These results indicate that the larger room for sustainability improvement relies in the farming systems with only family labour. Lack of information, training and economical resources showed to be two main drivers that explain part of these differences. These results suggest that the government’s role in increasing awareness, providing information and training and facilitating sustainable development practices is critical.</span>

scholarly journals Assessing Sustainability in Cattle Silvopastoral Systems in the Mexican Tropics Using the SAFA Framework

Animals ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 109
Author(s):  
Fernanda Pérez-Lombardini ◽  
Karen F. Mancera ◽  
Gerardo Suzán ◽  
Julio Campo ◽  
Javier Solorio ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Silvopastoral Systems ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Sustainable Performance ◽  
Holistic Management ◽  
Food And Agriculture ◽  
Feasible Alternative ◽  
Cattle Farms ◽  
Mexican Tropics

The sub-humid native rainforest in Yucatan is one of the most endangered in Mexico. Cattle production is one of the main causes of land use change and silvopastoral systems are a feasible alternative. This work compares the sustainable performance of silvopastoral (native and intensive) and monoculture cattle farms in the state of Yucatan using the Sustainability Assessment for Food and Agriculture (SAFA) framework. Questionnaires and semi-structured interviews were applied in 9 farms. Responses were fed to the SAFA Tool to obtain sustainability polygons. Percentages of SAFA themes positively and negatively valuated were calculated. Native farms had positive ratings for Participation, Land, Biodiversity and Cultural Diversity, whereas intensive excelled on Holistic Management. Native farms had limited ratings for Decent Livelihood. Native farms (and one intensive silvopastoral farm) had the highest percentages of themes positively valuated compared to monocultures (and one intensive silvopastoral farm), which scored the lowest. Positive evaluations identified native systems as an option for sustainable production; however, areas of opportunity in all farms were discovered. This is the first comparative study using SAFA to evaluate differences in farming systems in the Mexican tropics, providing valuable information to generate policies and incentives on sustainable livestock production, as well as for improving evaluation tools for local application.

scholarly journals Indonesian smallholder beef producers’ perception of sustainability and their treactions to the results of an assessment using the sustainability assessment of food and agriculture system (SAFA) – a case study based on focus group discussions

2020 ◽  
Vol 45 (1) ◽  
pp. 58-68
Author(s):  
S. Gayatri ◽  
M. Vaarst
Keyword(s):  
Focus Group ◽  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Management Practices ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Group Discussion ◽  
Agricultural Practices ◽  
Group Discussions ◽  
Four Dimensions ◽  
Food And Agriculture ◽  
Food And Agriculture Organization

Beef cattle farmers were interviewed about what “sustainability” means to them with regard to their daily practices, both in their daily working life and after being confronted with the results of an assessment conducted on their farms prior to a focus group discussion (FGD) utilizing the Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agriculture (SAFA) system developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations. The study presented in this article was based on two FGDs, using the results of the SAFA online assessment as a tool to initiate and facilitate the discussions. The two group discussions were recorded using a digital voice recorder, transcribed in full and then coded using the software program Transana. The discussions were organized into themes, which allowed a basis for the further analysis. The themes allowed us to build a picture of the participants’ views and thoughts on sustainability with regard to their farming management practices in the light of the SAFA framework, and their own thoughts and perception of the government’s action to promote sustainability, as well as to consider its implications for the futures of their own farms. The interviewed beef cattle farmers thought of sustainability on a day-to-day context rather than as a multi-dimensional concept. In their views, sustainability was very much about being able to continue farming, for the farm to survive and about being able to hand it over to the next generation. However, when presented with the four dimensions of the SAFA framework, they acknowledged the wider perspectives and different aspects of sustainability and reflected about how their own agricultural practices related to these wider aspects too. 

scholarly journals An investigation into the causes of low calving percentage in communally grazed cattle in Jericho, North West Province

2004 ◽  
Vol 75 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
E. Mokantla ◽  
C.M.E. McCrindle ◽  
J.P. Sebei ◽  
R. Owen
Keyword(s):  
Beef Cattle ◽  
Body Condition Score ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
North West ◽  
Grazing System ◽  
Condition Score ◽  
Breeding Soundness ◽  
Northwest Province ◽  
Communal Farming

The communal grazing system is generally understood to have a low input, low output type of management. However, the actual inputs and outputs of the farmers are not well known and the farmers are often unaware of their problems. Although the causes of low calving percentage are well understood in commercial beef farming enterprises in South Africa, the same is not true for communal farming systems. The aim of this study was to determine the reproductive performance of beef cattle on a communal farming system in Jericho, NorthWest Province. Ten farmers from five villages with a total of 265 cows and 13 bulls were purposively selected. The selection criteria were that each farmer had to have a minimum of 10 breeding cows and a bull and be willing to participate in the study. This was followed by a 12-month longitudinal study with monthly herd visits where cows were examined rectally and bulls (n = 13) were subjected to a single breeding soundness evaluation. The calving percentage was found to be 37.7 %. This is lower than the recorded percentages for commercial beef cattle on extensive grazing. The factors playing a role in low calving percentage were ranked using field data. From this it appeared that failure of cows to become pregnant was the main cause of poor calving percentage as opposed of loss of calves through abortion or resorption. Sub-fertility of the bulls was found to be of great significance and it is proposed that this be included in extension messages and that bulls be fertility tested routinely. Poor body condition score of cows, mainly caused by poor management, was also considered to play a major role in reducing pregnancy rates. Infectious diseases like trichomonosis, campylobacteriosis and brucellosis played a much leser role than anticipated.

scholarly journals Ethnoecology of paddy-fish integrative farming (minapadi) in Lampegan Village, West Java, Indonesia

2020 ◽  
Vol 21 (9) ◽  
Author(s):  
IIK NURUL FATIMAH ◽  
JOHAN ISKANDAR ◽  
Ruhyat Partasasmita
Keyword(s):  
Fish Species ◽  
Quantitative Methods ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Fish Farming ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Economic Benefits ◽  
Ecological Knowledge ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
West Java ◽  
Rice Fish

Abstract. Fatimah IN, Iskandar J, Partasasmita R. 2020. Ethnoecology of paddy-fish integrative farming (minapadi) in Lampegan Village, West Java, Indonesia. Biodiversitas 21: 4419-4432. In the past, the traditional paddy-fish integrative farming (minapadi) was predominantly undertaken by rice farmers in West Java, particularly in the water abundant areas. Currently, however, the practice of the rice-fish system has been dramatically reduced due to the Green Revolution programs, including water pollution that may have affected fish farming in paddy fields. Although the rice-fish systems have rarely been practiced in West Java villages, some farmer groups of Lampegan Village, Ibun Sub-district, Bandung District are still practicing the rice-fish farming system. The purpose of this study is to collect and document the traditional ecological knowledge (TEK) of Lampegan Village about the rice-fish system farming managements, including data on various fish species that are widely cultivated in the community, cultural practices of the rice-fish farming management, and benefits of the rice-fish farming system. A combination of qualitative and quantitative methods was used, with an ethnoecological approach. Techniques of data collection, such as observation, semi-structured interviews, or deep interviews, and structured interviews were employed in this study. The results of the study show that the farmers of the rice-fish farming in Lampegan Village, Bandung District own rich and deep knowledge of fish species and practice of the minapadi system. The TEK of the rice-fish farming management system has been inherited from ancestors and is mixed with western scientific knowledge. The rice-fish farming systems have provided some ecological and socio-economic benefits for village people.

scholarly journals Factors Influencing Bacterial Diversity in the Rhizosphere of Cucumbers and Tomatoes in the Arabian Peninsula

2021 ◽  
Vol 25 (05) ◽  
pp. 1035-1042
Author(s):  
Elham A. Kazerooni
Keyword(s):  
Bacterial Diversity ◽  
Arabian Peninsula ◽  
Rhizosphere Soil ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Crop Type ◽  
Dry Conditions ◽  
Bacterial Groups ◽  
Diversity Estimates

The Arabian Peninsula is characterized by generally hot and dry conditions. Although limited studies addressed bacterial diversity in this part of the world, there is a lack of information about bacterial diversity under farming systems. This study investigated bacterial diversity across three farms in Oman, at the South Eastern part of the Arabian Peninsula. Pyrosequencing was used to analyze bacterial communities from the rhizosphere soil of tomatoes and cucumbers grown in the farms. Results revealed that bacterial diversity is variable among various farms. Chao 1 richness and Shannon diversity estimates demonstrated that soils from the three farms differed in the levels of bacterial diversity. Proteobacteria was the major phylum in the soil samples from all farms. Gammaproteobacteria was the main and most abundant class in the rhizosphere soil of cucumber, while Gammaproteobacteria, Alphaproteobacteria, Deltaproteobacteria, Bacilli, Actinobacteria, Cytophagia and Nitrospira were common in the rhizosphere soil of tomatoes. The genera Bacillus, Nitrospira, Sphingomonas, Gemmatimonas and Pseudomonas were the most common in the rhizosphere of both crops in the three farms. Principle component analyses showed that bacterial diversity in the rhizosphere of cucumbers and tomatoes was found to be affected by the farming system but not the crop type. The study also presents information about the most common bacterial groups under farming systems in the Arabian Peninsula. Most of the bacterial taxa were saprophytic, suggesting that they play a role in cucumber and tomato growth and disease prevention. © 2021 Friends Science Publishers

scholarly journals Sustainability of Diversified Organic Cropping Systems—Challenges Identified by Farmer Interviews and Multi-Criteria Assessments

2021 ◽  
Vol 3 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Rodriguez ◽  
Linda-Maria Dimitrova Mårtensson ◽  
Mozhgan Zachrison ◽  
Georg Carlsson
Keyword(s):  
Cover Crops ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Cropping Systems ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Mineral Fertilizers ◽  
Crop Diversification ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Income Sources ◽  
Use Of Resources ◽  
Sustainability Assessments

Diversification of cropping and farming systems is a central agroecological principle, which may improve resource use efficiency, reduce pests and diseases, diversify income sources, and enhance the resilience of the production. The main objective of this study was to identify challenges related to the sustainability of organic cropping systems that were diversified according to one or several of the following practices: diverse crop rotation, integration of cover crops, and intercropping. The sustainability assessments were made using a multi-criteria decision aid method (MCDA) and a framework based on the FAO Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agricultural Systems (SAFA) guidelines. Social, economic and environmental aspects were integrated in the sustainability assessments and combined with semi-structured interviews to identify and discuss farmer's perceptions of barriers to crop diversification and sustainability transition. The results showed that diversified organic cropping systems could achieve high overall sustainability, especially in the environmental dimension thanks to non-inputs of pesticides or mineral fertilizers and efficient use of resources. On the other hand, social and economic dimensions were more variable, with challenges of lower sustainability in profitability and management complexity for several of the diversified cropping systems. Limited access to knowledge, technology and markets for minor crops, and concerns about the consistency of policies were highlighted by farmers as barriers for crop diversification. We discuss how the identified challenges can be overcome and argue that fostering collaboration among stakeholders may increase investment capacity and improve access to new or alternative markets, thereby stimulating transitions toward more diversified and sustainable cropping systems.

scholarly journals Multidimensional Benefits of Sustainable Agriculture Practices of Cambodian Smallholder Farmers

2019 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. 10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Camille Heylen ◽  
Félicien Meunier ◽  
Amaury Peeters ◽  
Sreykhouch Ek ◽  
Malyne Neang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Sustainable Agriculture ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Food Production ◽  
Sustainability Assessment ◽  
Smallholder Farmers ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Sustainable Practices ◽  
Food And Agriculture ◽  
Significant Difference

Agriculture is an important mainstay of the Cambodian economy and recent agriculture developments have lifted many people out of poverty. However, some key challenges remain in Cambodian rural areas. To further sustain the country&rsquo;s development, new ways need to be found to drive future growth without negatively impacting its existing resources. Recent efforts led by development stakeholders have been dedicated to enhanc the sustainability of Cambodian agriculture. The local non-governmental organization MODE jointly with Louvain Cooperation focuses on helping vulnerable farmers to transition towards sustainable agriculture practices through specific training. This paper aims to assess the benefits of such an approach by using SAFA (Sustainability Assessment of Food and Agriculture systems), a methodology developed by the Food and Agriculture Organization. Core indicators of the four pillars of sustainability were evaluated through interviews with eighty farmers, equally distributed in two groups (target farmers and a control group), to assess the agricultural sustainability of their local farming system. Statistical analysis revealed significant differences between the two groups. The target group which was supported in their transition to sustainable practices showed a significant increase of net incomes, more diverse food production, and higher number of actions already taken or planned in order to mitigate the inherent risks of food production. The global index resulting from the combination of all core indicators revealed a significant difference between the groups, with more sustainable practices for the target farmers. However, overall the level of sustainability remained low to very low in both groups, which was partly due to the choice to work with vulnerable people defined by low productivity.

Participatory appraisal of production constraints, preferred traits and farming system of cowpea in the northern Namibia: implications for breeding

2015 ◽  
Vol 38 (5) ◽  
Author(s):  
Lydia Horn ◽  
Hussein Shimelis ◽  
Mark Laing
Keyword(s):  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Primary Data ◽  
Structured Interviews ◽  
Leaf Beetles ◽  
Striga Gesnerioides ◽  
Production Constraints ◽  
Northern Regions ◽  
Cowpea Varieties ◽  
White Grain

Cowpea [<italic>Vigna unguiculata</italic> (L.) Walp.] productivity is low in the subsistence farming systems due to biotic, abiotic and socio-economic constraints. The objective of this study was to assess farmers’- perceived production constraints, preferred traits and the farming system of cowpea, and its implication for breeding in northern Namibia. A participatory rural appraisal studies was conducted across four selected regions of northern Namibia including Kavango East, Kavango West, Oshikoto and Omusati where the crop is predominantly cultivated. Primary data was collected using structured interviews involving 171 households. Results showed that 70.2% farmers grow local unimproved cowpea varieties and 29.8% used improved varieties either singly or in combination of two or three. About 62.6% of interviewed farmers reported low yields of cowpea varying from 100-599 kg/ha, while 6% achieved good grain harvests of 1500-1999 kg/ha. Most farmers (59.1%) produced cowpea for home consumption, while 23.4% indicated its food and market value. Field pests such as aphids (77.8%), leaf beetles (53.2%) and pod borers (60%) and bruchids (100%) were the major constraints. <italic>Striga gesnerioides</italic> and <italic>Alectra Vogelii</italic> (Benth) were the principal parasitic weeds reported by 79.5% cowpea farmers. Soil fertility levels were reported to be very low across regions and all farmers did not apply any fertilizers on cowpea. Farmers-preferred traits of cowpea included a straight pod shape (61.4%), a long pod size, bearing at least 10 seeds (68.4%), white grain colour (22.2%) and above ground biomass (42.1%). Inter-cropping of cowpea with sorghum or pearl millet was the dominant cowpea farming system in northern Namibia. 68.4% of farmers used a relatively smaller proportion of their land (<1 ha) for cowpea production while only 9.9% allocate more than 5 ha. Breeding for high grain yield and farmers-preferred traits and availability of seed and production input are the most important strategies to increase cowpea production and productivity by subsistence farmers in the northern regions of Namibia.

scholarly journals Characterization of Cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) Farming Systems in the Norte de Santander Department and Assessment Their Sustainability

2014 ◽  
Vol 67 (1) ◽  
pp. 7177-7187 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jesús Arturo Ramírez Sulvarán ◽  
Alina Katil Sigarroa Rieche ◽  
Rómulo Alberto Del Valle Vargas
Keyword(s):  
Theobroma Cacao ◽  
Production Systems ◽  
Secondary Data ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Lack Of Information ◽  
Low Incomes ◽  
Cocoa Production ◽  
Theobroma Cacao L

The cocoa (Theobroma cacao L.) based economy has been considered a valid alternative to support sustainable development in northeastern Colombia. However, there is a lack of information about the cocoa production systems in the region which is needed for the implementation of effective plans to improve their performance and sustainability. Four of the main cocoa producing municipalities in the Norte de Santander department were considered for this study: Teorama, Bucarasica, Cúcuta and San Calixto. These entities were selected due to their adequate security conditions, availability of field assistants and departmental representativeness in cocoa production. The objective was to obtain basic information for local, specific and participatory actions for the sustainability of the cocoa production systems and to improve the living conditions of farmers. The methodology used was based on the farming system approach, considering the socioeconomic, technological and agro-ecological components, and their relationships, and evaluating them according to the principles of sustainable agriculture. The phases covered were: (1) analysis of secondary data, (2) formulation and evaluation of sustainability indicators, (3) design, implementation and analysis of survey data and (4) validation by the farmers of the obtained information and the prioritization of problems. The results indicate that there is only one cocoa production system of a family-mercantile type, with low technology. Most farmers have low incomes and basic needs such as health, education and public services are not met. They do not employ the agronomic and post-harvest practices recommended by specialists. The water and soil resources are being degraded. In general, the farming system leans towards unsustainability and it is vital that integrative actions be taken to change this situation.

Regime of soil humus rural residential areas organic farming systems

2018 ◽  
Vol 2 (95) ◽  
pp. 78-81
Author(s):  
L.I. Shkarivska
Keyword(s):  
Organic Farming ◽  
Rural Areas ◽  
Humus Content ◽  
Farming Systems ◽  
Farming System ◽  
Organic Substrates ◽  
Residential Areas ◽  
Typical Chernozem ◽  
Podzolic Soils ◽  
Organic Farming System

The changes of the soil’s humus soil within the rural areas are investigated for the organic farming system. The most significant impact of organic agriculture on humus content over 55% was observed on soddy podzolic soils (V>75%), the lowest –7,5% on typical chernozem (V≈16%). Changes in the qualitative composition of humus for the introduction of various types of organic substrates are analyzed.

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