Characteristics of cattle farming systems in Sri Lanka

AbstractMeekiri (sometimes also known as Mee-Deekiri); fermented buffalo milk gel is a deep-rooted dairy product in Sri Lankan food culture and the production of Meekiri plays an integral part in the livelihood of rural farming. Meekiri consumption is widespread irrespective of geographic boundaries, across the cultural and/or ethnic communities. In Sri Lanka, buffalo milk is predominantly used in producing Meekiri, where production has been specialized in various geographic areas in the country, associated with major buffalo farming regions. Physicochemical and microbiological quality attributes are apparent to differ in Meekiri according to varying production regions, processing techniques and storage conditions. The mouthfeel and taste of Meekiri are widely accepted to be thicker and creamier with a pleasant note and is whiter in colour compared to fermented cow milk gel/yoghurt. Since Meekiri production is localized in Sri Lanka and available as traditional know-how at the primary production level, up-to-date comprehensive scientific literature that accounts for processing and detailed product quality characteristics is lacking. Hence, this review evaluates and outlines updated information about the Meekiri production, associated buffalo farming systems, quality characteristics of Meekiri including physicochemical, sensorial and microbiological aspects in the final product.

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Fertilizer usage and land productivity in intensively cultivated vegetable farming systems in Sri Lanka: an analysis based on a questionnaire survey

Tropical Agricultural Research ◽

10.4038/tar.v30i1.8277 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 30 (1) ◽

pp. 44

Author(s):

H. A. N. Upekshani ◽

R. S. Dharmakeerthi ◽

P. Weerasinghe ◽

W. S. Dandeniya

Keyword(s):

Sri Lanka ◽

Questionnaire Survey ◽

Farming Systems ◽

Land Productivity ◽

Vegetable Farming

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Climate change-related risks and adaptation strategies as perceived in dairy cattle farming systems in Tunisia

Climate Risk Management ◽

10.1016/j.crm.2018.03.004 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 20 ◽

pp. 38-49 ◽

Cited By ~ 8

Author(s):

Hajer Amamou ◽

Mohsen Ben Sassi ◽

Hatem Aouadi ◽

Hichem Khemiri ◽

Mokhtar Mahouachi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Climate Change ◽

Dairy Cattle ◽

Farming Systems ◽

Adaptation Strategies ◽

Cattle Farming

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Lagerstroemia speciosa (pride of India).

10.1079/fc.29704.20210113760 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Julissa Rojas-Sandoval

Keyword(s):

Sri Lanka ◽

Farming Systems ◽

Paddy Rice ◽

Deciduous Tree ◽

Medium Size ◽

Lagerstroemia Speciosa ◽

Rate Of Growth ◽

Dry Areas ◽

Ornamental Trees ◽

Water Tanks

Abstract L. speciosa is a medium-size to large deciduous tree distributed throughout India, Myanmar, Sri Lanka and Bangladesh, except for dry areas. The rate of growth is moderate and the trees grow best on deep, rich, well-drained alluvial loam, with sufficient moisture. The timber is used for buildings, ships, boats, dug-out canoes, bridges, water tanks, railway wagons, bus bodies, turnery, cooperage and many other purposes. L. speciosa is suitable for afforestation of sites prone to dampness and waterlogging, and can be grown successfully from seed, seedlings and stump plants. It is used in farming systems, as it is particularly suited to paddy rice agroforestry. L. speciosa is one of the most beautiful ornamental trees when in flower and is widely planted in India in gardens, parks, homesteads and avenues.

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Assessment of Yield Loss in Green Gram (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek) Cultivation and Estimation of Weed-Free Period for Eco-Friendly Weed Management

Biology and Life Sciences Forum ◽

10.3390/iecag2021-09691 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 3 (1) ◽

pp. 22

Author(s):

Pubudu Kumara ◽

Kandiah Pakeerathan ◽

Liyanage P. P. Deepani

Keyword(s):

Sri Lanka ◽

Weed Management ◽

Vigna Radiata ◽

Yield Loss ◽

Animal Feed ◽

Block Design ◽

Farming Systems ◽

Grain Legumes ◽

Green Gram ◽

Pests And Diseases

Green gram (Vigna radiata (L.) R. Wilczek) is one of the most economically important grain legumes of the traditional farming systems of Sri Lanka because it is a cheap source of protein and animal feed, and sustains soil fertility by fixing atmospheric nitrogen. Weeds are one of the major problems in green gram cultivation, reducing the yield through competition, interference with harvest and harboring pests and diseases. Controlling of weeds by applying herbicides would definitely cause unexpected damage to human health and the abundant biodiversity of Sri Lanka. Therefore, an investigation was planned to evaluate the yield loss due to weeds and to determine the optimum weed free period to minimize the yield losses. Two experiments were performed. The first experiment was conducted to determine the effects of different weed functional groups on the yield of green gram. In the second experiment, weeds were continuously hand weeded and areas kept weed free. In the third, weeds were allowed to compete with green gram until 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 weeks after cultivation. All the treatments were conducted in randomized complete block design with three replicates. The data collected on types of weed, number of pods and pod weight at 3–6 weeks after planting (WAP) were analyzed using the SAS 9.4 statistical package, and DMRT was performed to determine the best treatment combination. The results from the first experiment showed that average yield loss due to total weed populations was 54.77%. Yield loss due to grasses alone was 46.56%, far worse than broad leaves (16.49%) and sedges (18.01%) at p < 0.05. Crop stand count at 3–4 WAP was not significantly different among treatments. However, biomass weight of 50 plants, number of pods in 50 plants and grain weight of 10 plants were found to be significantly different after 3–4 WAP in weed free conditions at p < 0.05%. When the weed free period increased, the yield was increased until 3 WAP; thereafter, not significant yield increment was observed. In contrast, yield steeply declined in plots that had weeds until 3 WAP. According to the results of the present study, it can be concluded that the critical weed free period from the planting of green gram is 3 WAP. Maintaining a weed free period for 3–4 weeks is recommended to minimize the yield loss of green gram at minimal weed management cost.

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Energy Engineering Approach for Rural Areas Cattle Farmers in Bangladesh to Reduce COVID-19 Impact on Food Safety

Sustainability ◽

10.3390/su12208609 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 12 (20) ◽

pp. 8609

Author(s):

Mohammad Nur-E-Alam ◽

Mohammad Nasirul Hoque ◽

Soyed Mohiuddin Ahmed ◽

Mohammad Khairul Basher ◽

Narottam Das

Keyword(s):

Thin Film ◽

Economic Growth ◽

Power Generation ◽

Rural Areas ◽

Farming Systems ◽

Film Coating ◽

Thin Film Coating ◽

Medium Scale ◽

Hybrid Power ◽

Cattle Farming

This paper reports on the optimization of thin-film coating-assisted, self-sustainable, off-grid hybrid power generation systems for cattle farming in rural areas of Bangladesh. Bangladesh is a lower middle-income country with declining rates of poverty among its 160 million people due to persistent economic growth in conjunction with balanced agricultural improvements. Most of the rural households adopt a mixed farming system by cultivating crops and simultaneously rearing livestock. Among the animals raised, cattle are considered as the most valuable asset for the small-/medium-scale farmers in terms of their meat and milk production. Currently, along with the major health issue, the COVID-19 pandemic is hindering the world’s economic growth and has thrust millions into unemployment; Bangladesh is also in this loop. However, natural disasters such as COVID-19 pandemic and floods, largely constrain rural smallholder cattle farmers from climbing out of their poverty. In particular, small- and medium-scale cattle farmers face many issues that obstruct them from taking advantage of market opportunities and imposing a greater burden on their families and incomes. An appropriate measure can give a way to make those cattle farmers’ businesses both profitable and sustainable. Optimization of thin-film coating-assisted, self-sustainable, off-grid hybrid power generation system for cattle farming is a new and forward-looking approach for sustainable development of the livestock sector. In this study, we design and optimize a thin-film coating-assisted hybrid (photovoltaic battery generator) power system by using the Hybrid Optimization of Multiple Energy Resources (HOMER, Version 3.14.0) simulation tool. An analysis of the results has suggested that the off-grid hybrid system is more feasible for small- and medium-scale cattle farming systems with long-term sustainability to overcome the significant challenges faced by smallholder cattle farmers in Bangladesh.

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