Many local livestock breeds in developing countries are being replaced by exotic breeds, leading to a loss of genetic resources. In southern Mali, for the past two decades, a trend towards increasing crossbreeding between the trypanotolerant N'Dama cattle and the trypano-susceptible Fulani Zebu cattle has been taking place. A survey with 160 farmers owning a cattle herd was carried out in southern Mali to investigate their production objectives, as well as trait and breed preferences and correlated socio-economic determinants in order to understand farmers' breeding decisions and to identify comparative advantages of three breed groups (N'Dama, Fulani Zebu and crossbreds) raised in the study area. Data were analyzed using an exploded logit model. The reasons for raising cattle, as well as trait and breed preferences reflected the multiple objectives of the farmers. Draught power and savings were the most important production objectives. Productive traits were ranked highest; farmers reported large body size as the most preferred trait, followed by fertility, draught ability and milk yield. Crossbreds were the favored breed group. Breed preferences were mainly explained by 'resistance to disease' for N'Dama cattle and 'high market price' for Fulani Zebu and crossbred cattle. Production objectives, trait and breed preferences were mainly influenced by farmer group (local farmers and settled transhumants). Local farmers put comparatively more emphasis on livestock functions linked to crop production such as draught power. They had a higher preference for traction ability as a selection trait and preferred N'Dama over Fulani Zebu cattle. Settled transhumants emphasized milk yield as a selection trait and preferred Fulani Zebu over N'Dama. The results indicate that the trend towards more crossbreeding will continue putting the N'Dama breed under high risk of genetic dilution in southern Mali. The N'Dama cattle remain a valuable breed due to their adaptive traits such as disease and drought tolerance and their good traction ability, fulfilling the diverse objectives of local farmers. Crossbreeding was found to be a promising breeding strategy, which might contribute to the maintenance of the local breed, provided that breeding schemes are thoroughly planned and organized.
SUMMARYLittle bag silage (LBS) is seen as a low-cost alternative suitable for resource-poor smallholders to alleviate dry-season feed constraints. Within a research project carried out by the International Center for Tropical Agriculture and partners in Honduras, LBS was tested and its use encouraged during farmer training and field days. The present study highlights the most relevant technological and socio-economic potential and constraints of LBS. Surveys and experimental results revealed great vulnerability of plastic bags to pests, particularly rodents, accompanied by high spoilage losses. The main constraints to wider adoption include availability of i) suitable and affordable plastic bags, and ii) appropriate chopping equipment and storage facilities on smallholder farms. LBS proved to be useful and could play an important role in participatory research and extension activities, as a demonstration, experimentation and learning tool that can be used to get small-scale silage novices started with a low-risk technology.
To date, silage adoption has been low in the tropics, particularly under smallholder conditions. Innovation and adoption processes of silage technologies were promoted in drought-constrained areas of Honduras using a flexible, sitespecific and participatory research and extension approach. A total of about 250 farmers participated in training workshops and field days conducted in 13 locations. Smallholders successfully ensiled maize, sorghum and/or Pennisetum spp., mainly in heap and earth silos, while adoption of little bag silage (LBS) was low. LBS proved useful as a demonstration, experimentation and learning tool. A 'silage boom' occurred in 5 locations, where favorable adoption conditions included the presence of demonstration farms and involvement of key innovators, lack of alternative dry season feeds, perceived benefits of silage feeding, a favorable milk market and both extension continuity and intensity. The lack of chopping equipment was the main reason for non-adoption by poor smallholders. The study showed that, when targeting production system needs and farmer demands, silage promotion can lead to significant adoption, including at smallholder level, in the tropics. This experience could contribute to an increase in effectiveness and sustainability of silage extension in similar situations elsewhere. ResumenHasta ahora, la adopción de tecnologías de ensilaje ha sido baja en regiones tropicales, particularmente por pequeños agricultores. Mediante procedimientos de investigación y extensión participativas, flexibles y adaptadas a condiciones locales específicas, se promovieron procesos de innovación y adopción de tecnologías de ensilaje en zonas secas de Honduras. Alrededor de 250 pequeños productores participaron en talleres de capacitación y días de campo implementados en 13 localidades. Como resultado ensilaron con éxito maíz, sorgo y/o Pennisetum spp., principalmente en silos de montón y de tierra, mientras que la adopción de ensilaje en pequeñas bolsas (LBS, su sigla en inglés) fue baja. Sin embargo, LBS demostró su utilidad como herramienta de demostración, experimentación y aprendizaje. Un 'boom de ensilaje' se produjo en 5 localidades donde las condiciones de adopción fueron particularmente favorables, incluyendo la presencia de granjas de demostración, la participación de innovadores clave, la falta de alternativas para la alimentación del ganado en la época seca, la percepción de beneficios de la alimentación con ensilaje, un mercado de leche favorable, y un servicio de extensión continuo e intensivo. La falta de máquinas picadoras de forraje fue la razón principal para la no-adopción por parte de los pequeños productores de bajos ingresos. El estudio demostró que cuando los sistemas de producción lo necesitan y los productores lo demandan, la promoción del ensilado puede alcanzar un nivel significativo de adopción también en zonas tropicales, incluyendo los pequeños productores. Esta experiencia puede contribuir a incrementar la eficacia y sostenibilidad de la extensión de tecnolog...
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