Classification and description of the major farming systems incorporating ruminant livestock in West Africa

A classification of the major ruminant livestock production systems in West Africa is proposed. The proposed typology has two major classes of systems-sole livestock and crop-livestock. The sole livestock class has two systems (rangeland-based and landless) and the crop-livestock class has three sub...

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Autores principales: Fernández Rivera, S., Okike, Iheanacho, Manyong, Victor M., Williams, Timothy O., Kruska, Russell L., Tarawali, Shirley A.
Formato: Conference Paper
Lenguaje:Inglés
Publicado: International Livestock Research Institute 2004
Materias:
Acceso en línea:https://hdl.handle.net/10568/50278
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author Fernández Rivera, S.
Okike, Iheanacho
Manyong, Victor M.
Williams, Timothy O.
Kruska, Russell L.
Tarawali, Shirley A.
author_browse Fernández Rivera, S.
Kruska, Russell L.
Manyong, Victor M.
Okike, Iheanacho
Tarawali, Shirley A.
Williams, Timothy O.
author_facet Fernández Rivera, S.
Okike, Iheanacho
Manyong, Victor M.
Williams, Timothy O.
Kruska, Russell L.
Tarawali, Shirley A.
author_sort Fernández Rivera, S.
collection Repository of Agricultural Research Outputs (CGSpace)
description A classification of the major ruminant livestock production systems in West Africa is proposed. The proposed typology has two major classes of systems-sole livestock and crop-livestock. The sole livestock class has two systems (rangeland-based and landless) and the crop-livestock class has three sub-classes (annual crop-livestock, tree-crop-livestock and irrigated/flooded cropland-livestock). Within the 3 crop-livestock subclasses 13 systems defined by the dominant crops are identified. The systems, including the specific roles of crops and livestock are described, their feed production potential is assessed, and the factors likely to be driving their evolution are discussed. The large majority of producers in these systems are poor and their land and animal holdings are small. Pastoral systems evolve in response to risks associated with uncertainty of rain and the demand for live animals in the highly populated and more urbanised wetter zones. Crop-livestock systems are more labour-intensive, in some cases they include animal traction, and are characterised by higher use of agricultural inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides and feed supplements. Landless, stall-feeding systems, which exist alongside or within other systems evolve primarily in response to demand for meat and are frequently associated with religious events. The proposed typology offers a framework for identifying Development priorities and research opportunities. It can assist in targeting efforts to develop animal agriculture into more intensive forms of production with stronger linkages to markets, in ways that the increasing demand for food is met and opportunities for improving the livelihoods of small-scale livestock and crop-livestock producers are exploited.
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spelling CGSpace502782025-12-02T10:59:51Z Classification and description of the major farming systems incorporating ruminant livestock in West Africa Fernández Rivera, S. Okike, Iheanacho Manyong, Victor M. Williams, Timothy O. Kruska, Russell L. Tarawali, Shirley A. mixed farming farming systems animal production plant production ruminants livestock crops rangelands productivity feed crops pastoralism pennisetum glaucum cowpeas groundnuts maize sorghum cotton rice cassava coconuts cocoa beans vegetable crops zero grazing A classification of the major ruminant livestock production systems in West Africa is proposed. The proposed typology has two major classes of systems-sole livestock and crop-livestock. The sole livestock class has two systems (rangeland-based and landless) and the crop-livestock class has three sub-classes (annual crop-livestock, tree-crop-livestock and irrigated/flooded cropland-livestock). Within the 3 crop-livestock subclasses 13 systems defined by the dominant crops are identified. The systems, including the specific roles of crops and livestock are described, their feed production potential is assessed, and the factors likely to be driving their evolution are discussed. The large majority of producers in these systems are poor and their land and animal holdings are small. Pastoral systems evolve in response to risks associated with uncertainty of rain and the demand for live animals in the highly populated and more urbanised wetter zones. Crop-livestock systems are more labour-intensive, in some cases they include animal traction, and are characterised by higher use of agricultural inputs such as fertilisers, pesticides and feed supplements. Landless, stall-feeding systems, which exist alongside or within other systems evolve primarily in response to demand for meat and are frequently associated with religious events. The proposed typology offers a framework for identifying Development priorities and research opportunities. It can assist in targeting efforts to develop animal agriculture into more intensive forms of production with stronger linkages to markets, in ways that the increasing demand for food is met and opportunities for improving the livelihoods of small-scale livestock and crop-livestock producers are exploited. 2004 2014-10-31T06:09:01Z 2014-10-31T06:09:01Z Conference Paper https://hdl.handle.net/10568/50278 en Open Access International Livestock Research Institute
spellingShingle mixed farming
farming systems
animal production
plant production
ruminants
livestock
crops
rangelands
productivity
feed crops
pastoralism
pennisetum glaucum
cowpeas
groundnuts
maize
sorghum
cotton
rice
cassava
coconuts
cocoa beans
vegetable crops
zero grazing
Fernández Rivera, S.
Okike, Iheanacho
Manyong, Victor M.
Williams, Timothy O.
Kruska, Russell L.
Tarawali, Shirley A.
Classification and description of the major farming systems incorporating ruminant livestock in West Africa
title Classification and description of the major farming systems incorporating ruminant livestock in West Africa
title_full Classification and description of the major farming systems incorporating ruminant livestock in West Africa
title_fullStr Classification and description of the major farming systems incorporating ruminant livestock in West Africa
title_full_unstemmed Classification and description of the major farming systems incorporating ruminant livestock in West Africa
title_short Classification and description of the major farming systems incorporating ruminant livestock in West Africa
title_sort classification and description of the major farming systems incorporating ruminant livestock in west africa
topic mixed farming
farming systems
animal production
plant production
ruminants
livestock
crops
rangelands
productivity
feed crops
pastoralism
pennisetum glaucum
cowpeas
groundnuts
maize
sorghum
cotton
rice
cassava
coconuts
cocoa beans
vegetable crops
zero grazing
url https://hdl.handle.net/10568/50278
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