Dairy production systems and the adoption of genetic and breeding technologies in Tanzania, Kenya, India and Nicaragua

SummaryDevelopment of the livestock industry and its role in poverty alleviation in developing countries depends on how adaptive the production systems are to changing global environmental and economic trends. This paper characterizes dairy production systems in India, Tanzania, Kenya and Nicaragua, and describes the genetic and breeding technologies that hold promise for the advancement of global development goals. The dairy value chain has been prioritized for development under the CGIAR research programme on Livestock and Fish in Tanzania (East Africa), India (South Asia) and Nicaragua (Latin America), while ILRI is involved in research on dairy development in Kenya. In all the countries, a large number of smallholder farmers operating mixed crop–livestock production systems play a significant role in dairy production. In Tanzania, Kenya and Nicaragua, milk is predominantly produced by cattle of genotypes that differ both across countries and among production systems within the same country. In India, buffaloes contribute to a larger proportion of the national milk than cattle. Information on productivity per animal and on optimal genotypes to utilize within the smallholder production systems of all the countries is however limited. Crossbreeding and artificial insemination were identified as the most widely utilized breeding and reproductive technologies. Only in Kenya is there a national organization conducting livestock recording and monitoring productivity, however, the proportion of the dairy cattle population enrolled in the recording system is small (<2.5 percent). In all the countries, enhanced and adequately planned use of breeding and reproductive technologies, complemented with the relevant infrastructure, is needed to sustainably increase dairy productivity. The capacities of actors in the dairy value chain need to be developed in order to properly implement and manage improvements.

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Direct cryopreservation of poultry/avian embryonic reproductive cells: A low-tech, cost-effective and efficient method for safeguarding genetic diversity

10.1101/2021.09.28.462137 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Tuanjun Hu ◽

Lorna Taylor ◽

Adrian Sherman ◽

Christian Keambou Tiambo ◽

Steven J Kemp ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Genetic Diversity ◽

Genetic Resources ◽

Production Systems ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Effective Means ◽

Cost Effective ◽

Reproductive Technologies ◽

Small Scale ◽

Scale Production ◽

Climate Resilience

Chickens are an important resource for smallholder farmers who raise locally adapted, genetically distinct breeds for eggs and meat. The development of efficient reproductive technologies to conserve and regenerate chicken breeds safeguards existing biodiversity and secures poultry genetic resources for climate resilience, biosecurity, and future food production. The majority of the over 1600 breeds of chicken are raised in low and lower to middle income countries (LMICs) under resource limited, small scale production systems, which necessitates a low tech, cost effective means of conserving diversity is needed. Here, we validate a simple biobanking technique using cryopreserved embryonic chicken gonads. The gonads are quickly isolated, visually sexed, pooled by sex, and cryopreserved. Subsequently, the stored material is thawed and dissociated before injection into sterile host chicken embryos. By using pooled GFP and RFP-labelled donor gonadal cells and Sire Dam Surrogate (SDS) mating, we demonstrate that chicks deriving entirely from male and female donor germ cells are hatched. This technology will enable ongoing efforts to conserve chicken genetic diversity for both commercial and small holder farmers, and to preserve existing genetic resources at poultry research facilities.

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Changes in Dairy Products Value Chain in Georgia

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12155894 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (15) ◽

pp. 5894

Author(s):

Rami Al Sidawi ◽

Teo Urushadze ◽

Angelika Ploeger

Keyword(s):

Soviet Union ◽

Value Chain ◽

Dairy Products ◽

Food System ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Dairy Production ◽

The Sustainable Development ◽

The Soviet Union ◽

Livestock Sector ◽

The Impact

The livestock sector, as a part of the traditional food system in Georgia, occupies a considerable portion of the national economy. Though smallholder farmers are the key suppliers at the primary stage in the food value chain, the empowerment of smallholder farmers in the dairy production system in Georgia is a questionable matter. This research study reports the results of changes in the dairy sector in Georgia (Caucasus) after becoming independent from the Soviet Union (literature survey) and how these changes are seen by experts in the dairy value chain. In addition, this study aimed to look in-depth at the dynamics of the value chain of dairy in Georgia and examine the current dairy production policies. Qualitative research was applied as the methodology for expert interviews in 2019. The findings showed the difficulties experienced by the local and national dairy market sectors in Georgia nowadays. Where these difficulties were analyzed by the parameters of the value chain, it states the impact of the current regulations and policies on the safety and the quality of dairy production in the country and the depth of social, economic, and ethical impacts on the marketing of dairy products for smallholders. Furthermore, the Sustainable Development Goals on the dairy value chain are described.

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Factors and Components Affecting Dairy Smallholder Farmers and the Local Value Chain—Kvemo Kartli as an Example

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su13105749 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (10) ◽

pp. 5749

Author(s):

Rami Al Sidawi ◽

Teo Urushadze ◽

Angelika Ploeger

Keyword(s):

Value Chain ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Research Study ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Essential Element ◽

Local Economy ◽

Dairy Production ◽

Study Region ◽

Production Sector ◽

Triangular Design

Smallholder farmers are the cornerstone of the livestock sector and an essential element in building and developing the local dairy value chain, critical for developing its local economy. In Georgia, and despite the efforts made since independence from the Soviet Union until now, farmers still face many problems that prevent them from participating effectively in developing the dairy value chain, especially heavy metal pollution that afflicts the study region. This research study refers to smallholder farmers' viewpoints in the Kvemo Kartli region on the dairy production sector and the problems these farmers face. This study also investigates the effect of several factors (ethical factors, traditions, animal welfare, cultural factors, etc.) on the dairy value chain. The convergence model was used in the mixed-method approach's triangular design as a methodology for this research study. As part of the social data, 140 farmers who produce and sell milk and cheese in the Kvemo Kartli region were interviewed. The results showed the influence of the ethical, cultural, and traditional factors in developing the value chain. The results also showed the problems and difficulties small farmers face in rural areas, on the one hand, and the gap between these farmers and governmental and private organisations on the other hand. These results are compared to those of a previous study, where interviews with experts in Georgia's dairy production sector were performed.

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Efficiency and possibilities for Arabica coffee-banana management systems switching in the Mt. Elgon landscape of Uganda

African Crop Science Journal ◽

10.4314/acsj.v28i3.7 ◽

1970 ◽

Vol 28 (3) ◽

pp. 421-439

Author(s):

C. Sebatta ◽

J. Mugisha ◽

F. Bagamba ◽

E.A. Nuppenau ◽

S.E. Domptail ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Technical Efficiency ◽

Production Systems ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Farming System ◽

Sub Saharan Africa ◽

Or Efficiency ◽

Arabica Coffee ◽

The Sustainable Development ◽

Development Goals ◽

Sub Saharan

Sustainably intensifying rural agricultural systems is now a development goal that has gained momentum in the recent decades due to a rapidly growing population and feeds directly into the Sustainable Development Goals of ending poverty and hunger. By 2050, the world will be inhabited by 10 billion people, 68% of whom will be city dwellers which will pose serious food and livelihoods security threats to millions of people, especially in Sub-Saharan Africa. The objective of this study was to analyse technical efficiency of four production systems in Arabica coffee-banana farming system of the Mt. Elgon in Uganda and assesses possibilities for switching from one system to another. The study was motivated by the notion that smallholder farmers do not easily adopt new systems because of opportunity costs related to input substitution, input and/or efficiency reduction and systems redesigning. We estimated a production function to measure technical efficiency and ordered the intensification pathways to create a Technical Efficiency (TE) gradient. An ordered logit model was then estimated to determine the factors influencing farmers to switch among systems, by adopting one or more following a TE gradient. Results showed that farmers produced 50% of the maximum possible Arabica coffee output, indicating huge gaps between actual and potential yields. Use of fertiliser for the lowest efficiency. Low-input-low-output pathway and improved coffee genotypes, manure and labour intensification for the higher technical efficiency clusters such as conventional and mild agroecological would also significantly increase the chances of switching from low to highly efficient and sustainable Arabica coffee production systems in the Mt. Elgon watershed of Uganda.

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Towards environmentally sound intensification pathways for dairy development in the Tanga region of Tanzania

Regional Environmental Change ◽

10.1007/s10113-020-01723-5 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 20 (4) ◽

Author(s):

An Notenbaert ◽

Jeroen C.J. Groot ◽

Mario Herrero ◽

Celine Birnholz ◽

Birthe K. Paul ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Value Chain ◽

Production Systems ◽

Animal Health ◽

Ghg Emissions ◽

Economic Feasibility ◽

Mixed Crop ◽

Use Efficiency ◽

Environmentally Sound

AbstractThe gap between milk demand and domestic supply in Tanzania is large and projected to widen. Meeting such demand through local production of affordable milk presents an opportunity to improve the welfare of producers and market agents through the income and employment generated along the value chain (VC). Efforts to maximize milk yields, production and profitability need to be balanced with long-term sustainability. We combined environmental and economic ex-ante impact assessments of four intervention scenarios for two production systems in the Tanzanian dairy VC using the CLEANED model and an economic feasibility analysis. Intervention scenarios propose increases in milk production through (i) animal genetic improvement, (ii) improved feed, (iii) improved animal health and (iv) a package combining all interventions. Results show that economically feasible farm-level productivity increases of up to 140% go hand-in-hand with increased resource-use efficiency and up to 50% reduction in greenhouse gas (GHG) emission intensities. Absolute increases in water, land and nitrogen requirements in mixed crop-livestock systems call for careful management of stocks and quality of these resources. An overall rise in GHG emissions is expected, with a maximum of 53% increase associated with an 89% increase in milk supply at VC level. The CLEANED tool proved effective to evaluate livestock interventions that improve incomes and food security with minimal environmental footprint. Here, our simulations suggest that due to current low productivity, the greatest efficiency gains in combination with relatively low increases in total GHG emissions can be made in the extensive agro-pastoral dairy systems, which represent the majority of herds.

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Value Chain Analysis of Smallholder Dairy Production in Debark District, Ethiopia

10.21203/rs.3.rs-84177/v1 ◽

2020 ◽

Author(s):

Betelhem Tsedalu Adane ◽

Abebaw Abibo Getu ◽

Zework Akililu ◽

Fikremariam Birara Feleke

Keyword(s):

Value Chain ◽

Dairy Products ◽

Service Providers ◽

Financial Analysis ◽

Animal Feed ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Value Added ◽

Dairy Production ◽

Value Chain Analysis ◽

Chain Analysis

Abstract IntroductionMilk production in Ethiopia is done largely by the smallholder farmers in the high lands and in low land areas of the country. However, the Ethiopian dairy production and market systems face severe constraints like poor genetics, insufficient access to proper animal feed and poor management practices all contribute to the low productivity levels. Similarly, dairy producers and downstream actors in the value chains face many challenges in getting milk to market. Hence this study analyzes dairy products value chain. MethodsValue chain analysis framework and financial analysis were used. Result and conclusionThe dairy value chain is complex involving multiple actors and their interaction. The major direct actors include input suppliers, small holder farmers, village collectors, cooperatives, semi processors, hotel and cafés and consumers. Besides indirect actors such as supportive and regulatory service providers are also involved. Though all actors have positive profit margin, the largest share goes to hotel and cafés. The financial analysis along the entire value chain shows that Producing and marketing of dairy products is profitable and creates higher value added. Concerned body should improve access to services and collective actions to enhance local value additions and Smallholder milk producers must be organized into dairy cooperative groups and subsequently into dairy unions.

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Assessing and reducing the environmental impact of dairy production systems in the northern US in a changing climate

Agricultural Systems ◽

10.1016/j.agsy.2021.103170 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 192 ◽

pp. 103170

Author(s):

Karin Veltman ◽

C. Alan Rotz ◽

Larry Chase ◽

Joyce Cooper ◽

Chris E. Forest ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Environmental Impact ◽

Production Systems ◽

Dairy Production ◽

Changing Climate

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Evaluating the Impacts of Smallholder Farmer’s Participation in Modern Agricultural Value Chain Tactics for Facilitating Poverty Alleviation—A Case Study of Kiwifruit Industry in Shaanxi, China

Agriculture ◽

10.3390/agriculture11050462 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 11 (5) ◽

pp. 462

Author(s):

Hongyu Wang ◽

Xiaolei Wang ◽

Apurbo Sarkar ◽

Lu Qian

Keyword(s):

Value Chain ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Poverty Alleviation ◽

Poverty Reduction ◽

Smallholder Farmers ◽

Multidimensional Poverty ◽

Well Being ◽

Reduction Degree ◽

Poverty Level ◽

Storage Technology

Market-based initiatives like agriculture value chain (AVC) are becoming progressively pervasive to support smallholder rural farmers and assist them in entering larger market interventions and providing a pathway of enhancing their socioeconomic well-being. Moreover, it may also foster staggering effects towards the post-era poverty alleviation in rural areas and possessed a significant theoretical and practical influence for modern agricultural development. The prime objective of the study is to explore the effects of smallholder farmers’ participation in the agricultural value chain for availing rural development and poverty alleviation. Specifically, we have crafted the assessment employing pre-production (improved fertilizers usage), in-production (modern preservation technology), and post-production (supply chain) participation and interventions of smallholder farmers. The empirical data has been collected from a micro survey dataset of 623 kiwifruit farmers from July to September in Shaanxi, China. We have employed propensity score matching (PSM), probit, and OLS models to explore the multidimensional poverty reduction impact and heterogeneity of farmers’ participation in the agricultural value chain. The results show that the total number of poor farmers who have experienced one-dimensional and two-dimensional poverty is relatively high (66.3%). We also find that farmers’ participation in agricultural value chain activities has a significant poverty reduction effect. The multidimensional poverty level of farmers using improved fertilizer, organizational acquisition, and using storage technology (compared with non-participating farmers) decreased by 30.1%, 46.5%, and 25.0%, respectively. The multidimensional poverty reduction degree of male farmers using improved fertilizer and participating in the organizational acquisition is greater than that of women. The multidimensional poverty reduction degree of female farmers using storage and fresh-keeping technology has a greater impact than the males using storage and improved storage technology. Government should widely promote the value chain in the form of pre-harvest, production, and post-harvest technology. The public–private partnership should also be strengthened for availing innovative technologies and infrastructure development.

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Understanding the dairy production systems in rural settlements in the Brazilian semi-arid region: characterization, typology, and holistic perception

Tropical Animal Health and Production ◽

10.1007/s11250-021-02840-x ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 53 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Maria Samires Martins Castro ◽

Delano de Sousa Oliveira ◽

Raquel Oliveira dos Santos Fontenelle ◽

Ana Paula Araújo do Nascimento ◽

Robson Mateus Freitas Silveira ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Arid Region ◽

Production Systems ◽

Dairy Production ◽

Rural Settlements ◽

Holistic Perception ◽

Semi Arid Region ◽

Semi Arid

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Use of information and communication technologies in small-scale dairy production systems in central Mexico

Experimental Agriculture ◽

10.1017/s0014479720000319 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 56 (5) ◽

pp. 767-779

Author(s):

Juan de Dios García-Villegas ◽

Anastacio García-Martínez ◽

Carlos Manuel Arriaga-Jordán ◽

Monica Elizama Ruiz-Torres ◽

Adolfo Armando Rayas-Amor ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cluster Analysis ◽

Production Systems ◽

Communication Technologies ◽

Small Scale ◽

Central Mexico ◽

Dairy Production ◽

Dairy Farmers ◽

Use Of Technology ◽

Group 2 ◽

Small Scale Dairy

AbstractThe objective of the study was to characterize small-scale dairy production systems to identify the technological preferences according to the farmer and farm characteristics and to analyze the importance and role of the information communication technologies (ICTs) in the dissemination of information related to management and livestock activities. To collect the data, a survey was applied to 170 small-scale dairy farmers from central Mexico. To characterize the farms, a factor analysis (FA) and cluster analysis (CA) were performed. To compare and identify differences between groups, a Kruskal–Wallis test was conducted. Four factors that explain 70.93% of the accumulated variance were identified; these factors explain the use of technology, production characteristics, social connections, and use of ICTs. The cluster analysis identified four groups. Group 1 was integrated by farmers with more experience and the largest farms. Group 2 had higher studies and use of ICTs. Group 3 was formed by young farmers but had a low use of technology. Group 4 contained older farmers with a low use of technology. The young farmers with higher studies have begun to incorporate ICTs into their daily activities on the farm, as observed in Group 2. Smartphones were the most used and were considered important by the farmers of the four groups, since they enable interaction with other farmers and the dissemination of topics of interest related with the farm. In conclusion, four group of farmers were differentiated; therefore, different extension approaches should be implemented to take into account the preferences and the technologies considered most important for each group. The ICTs are emerging technologies among small-scale dairy farmers to communicate information related to livestock management, mainly by young farmers with studies of secondary, as observed in Group 2.

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