Agriculture Reference
In-Depth Information
Table 1.12
Nature and extent of constraints to goat production in typical mixed small-farm systems
in humid Southeast Asia.
Environment
Socioeconomics
Farming systems
Goats
Externalities
Poor soil fertility
Low income
Poor access to
technology
Inadequate numbers
Poor infrastructure
Extreme periods of
precipitation (both
wet and dry)
Limited assets
Poor crop yields
High cost
Poor marketing facilities
Soil erosion
No access to
capital
Limited cropping
options
Poor performance (e.g.,
meat and milk yields)
Price fl uctuations
Pollution
No access to
market outlets
Underuse of fodder
trees
Poor nutrition
Policies
Contamination of
surface water
Limited access
to knowledge
Ineffi cient use of
production resources
Poor management
No or weak farmer
organizations
Land subdivision
and conversion
Economic
isolation
Inadequate feed supply
Diseases (e.g.,
Nematodes)
No cooperatives
Geographic isolation
No access to
off - farm labor
Droughts
No extension services
Poor linkages with
institutions
Soil salinization
Rising production
costs
No vaccines and drugs
Poor rural - urban linkages
Source: Devendra, 2006 .
system, animals, and externalities. Because the list of
constraints can be numerous, it is most essential topri-
oritize these issues to focus on the more important con-
straints. Analysis and proposed interventions must
involve the participating farmers to implement the on-
farm activities.
The major challenge for increased resource use by small
farm systems in rainfed areas concerns collective and
holistic approaches that can shift the level of productivity
from a traditional low-input system to an intermediate and
market-oriented system. Switching from a sustainable
system to an intermediate level must be consistent with
agricultural growth, poverty reduction, food security, envi-
ronmental sustainability, and self-reliance (Devendra,
2000). Figure 1.7 illustrates the different productivity
levels and possible shifts. The fi gure demonstrates that,
with various improvements, it is possible to shift produc-
tivity from traditional systems to market-oriented systems
with maximum productivity.
Pro-poor strategies and social and effective develop-
ment policies are needed to sustain and increase the con-
tribution from these farms to help feed hungry nations and
continents (Devendra, 2007c). Additionally, one must
enable an economic environment to spur agricultural
development. Hunger is more prevalent where depen-
dence on agriculture and goats is greatest. Every effort
must be made to maximize food production of animal
origin to provide for sustained nutritional security and
improve the socioeconomic well-being of the poor in the
future.
CHALLENGES FOR THE FUTURE
To increase productivity and the contribution of goats, it
is urgent to accelerate productivity in tandem with produc-
tive potential. Emphasis must be placed on specifi c areas
of research and development, on needs-based delivery of
appropriate technologies, and on large-scale development
at the farm level. Such development needs to address the
following aspects
inter alia:
The concept of production - to - consumption that links the
owner, producer and consumer
The importance of needs - based research, in which
research is focused on resolving farmers' problems and
constraints
Systems approaches and interdisciplinary efforts that
consider whole - farm systems
Formulation of a research and development agenda that
addresses real needs and opportunities for national goat
production
