CGIAR Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods science program
Permanent URI for this collectionhttps://hdl.handle.net/10568/163086
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Item De-risking livestock systems through bundled index insurance: why it is important to promote market development for productivity-enhancing inputs(Brief, 2025-05-30) Ochenje, Ibrahim; Shikuku, Kelvin Mashisia; Banerjee, Rupsha R.Livestock keepers in East Africa grapple with multiple compounding and cascading risks including extreme weather events, pests and diseases, price fluctuations, and conflict. While several risk management solutions have been implemented mostly as standalone interventions, it is increasingly clear that bundling financial and sociotechnical innovations will be crucial for transforming agri-food systems to address the multiple risks simultaneously, enhance resilience, and improve livelihoods. This brief explains the role of private sector service providers of productivity-enhancing inputs in the diffusion and scaling of bundled index-based livestock insurance crucial for de-risking livestock systems and livelihoods.Item Boosting livestock productivity and sustainability in East Africa: The role of forage seed systems(Blog Post, 2025-02-13) Burkart, Stefan; Mwendia, Solomon WaweruLivestock farming plays a critical role in the economies of East African countries, with millions of people depending on cattle, goats and sheep for food, income and employment. However, despite the region's vast agricultural potential, livestock production faces a significant feed deficit - nearly 40% of the total ruminant feed demand is unmet annually. This challenge, compounded by climate change, is limiting the region's ability to maximize livestock productivity. Addressing this feed shortage is essential for improving food security, rural livelihoods and environmental sustainability.Item From awareness to action: Social valuation of climate change mitigation options in Kenyan dairy farming(Blog Post, 2025-02-20) Florez Herrera, Jesus Fernando; Burkart, StefanIn Kenya, where small-scale dairy farming is a vital part of the economy, farmers face increasing challenges from rising temperatures, changing rainfall patterns and degraded pastures. These climate risks affect productivity, making it crucial for farmers to adopt strategies that mitigate these effects. A recent study conducted by the CGIAR Initiative Livestock & Climate (L&C) has provided a closer look at how Kenyan dairy farmers perceive and are prepared to adopt climate change mitigation strategies.Item The underlying causes of deforestation during “peacetime”: Evidence from the implementation of the Peace Agreement in Colombia(Journal Article, 2025-06-01) Triana-Ángel, Natalia; Ana, Pirela Ríos; Junca Paredes, John Jairo; Pazos Cardenas, Mateo; Burkart, StefanItem An economic evaluation of an intensive silvo-pastoral system in San Martín, Peru(Journal Article, 2025-05-20) Junca Paredes, John Jairo; Durango Morales, Sandra Guisela; Burkart, StefanThe cattle sector plays a critical role in Peru’s agricultural economy, yet it faces challenges related to low productivity and environmental degradation. Sustainable alternatives like silvo-pastoral systems (SPSs) offer promising solutions to enhance both economic returns and ecological outcomes in cattle farming. This study examines the economic viability of an intensive SPS (SPSi) compared to traditional monoculture grass systems in San Martín, Peru. The SPSi under study is in the evaluation phase, integrates grasses, legumes, shrubs, and trees, and has the potential to enhance cattle farming profitability while simultaneously offering environmental benefits such as improved soil health and reduced greenhouse gas emissions. Through a discounted cash flow model over an eight-year period, key profitability indicators—Net Present Value (NPV), Internal Rate of Return (IRR), Benefit–Cost Ratio (BC), and payback period—were estimated for four dual-purpose cattle production scenarios: a traditional system and three SPSi scenarios (pessimistic, moderate, and optimistic). Monte Carlo simulations were conducted to assess risk, ensuring robust results. The results show that the NPV for the traditional system was a modest USD 61, while SPSi scenarios ranged from USD 9564 to USD 20,465. The IRR improved from 8.17% in the traditional system to between 26.63% and 30.33% in SPSi scenarios, with a shorter payback period of 4.5 to 5.8 years, compared to 7.98 years in the traditional system. Additionally, the SPSi demonstrated a 30% increase in milk production and a 50% to 250% rise in stocking rates per hectare. The study recommends, subject to pending validations through field trials, promoting SPSi adoption through improved access to credit, technical assistance, and policy frameworks that compensate farmers for ecosystem services. Policymakers should also implement monitoring mechanisms to mitigate unintended consequences, such as deforestation, ensuring that SPSi expansion aligns with sustainable land management practices. Overall, the SPSi presents a viable solution for achieving economic resilience and environmental sustainability in Peru’s cattle sector.Item Advancing sustainable livestock practices through ecosystem services valuation(Blog Post, 2025-03-14) Burkart, Stefan; Florez Herrera, Jesus FernandoAs the world faces increasing environmental challenges, the need for sustainable livestock practices has never been more urgent. In response to this, a multi-disciplinary team of international researchers from the Alliance of Bioversity International and CIAT, the International Livestock Research Institute (ILRI), and the International Center for Agricultural Research in the Dry Areas (ICARDA) have developed an integral framework for evaluating ecosystem services in livestock farming, aiming to promote practices that balance environmental, economic, and social objectives.Item Land, cows and bullets: A complex history of cattle ranching and armed conflict in Colombia(Blog Post, 2025-02-18) Triana Ángel, Natalia; Pazos Cardenas, Mateo; Burkart, StefanCattle ranching in Colombia has been at the heart of the country’s agricultural economy for centuries, contributing significantly to rural livelihoods and national development. However, the sector has also played a profound role in the country’s armed conflict, where the dynamics of land ownership, power and violence are deeply intertwined.Item Economic impact analysis of PPR—Global burden of animal diseases’ (GBADs’) approach(Presentation, 2025-05-12) Temesgen, Wudu; Knight-Jones, Theodore J.D.Item What is needed to successfully implement Colombia’s first public policy for sustainable cattle farming?(Blog Post, 2025-03-04) Burkart, Stefan; Sandoval, DannyCattle farming is a cornerstone of Colombia’s agricultural economy, but its environmental impact—especially in terms of deforestation and greenhouse gas emissions—has raised concerns. In response to these challenges, the Colombian government, through Resolution 000126 of 2022, launched the Public Policy Guidelines for Sustainable Cattle 2022-2050 (Lineamientos de Política para la Ganadería Bovina Sostenible, LPGBS), aiming to shift the sector toward more sustainable practices. However, the road to implementing this policy is far from smooth.Item Manejo estratégico de Urochloa humidicola (Pasto Humidícola) para la optimización de sistemas ganaderos de la Orinoquía colombiana. Manual Técnico - Volumen 2(Manual, 2025-05) Bastidas, Mike; Ospina, Luciano; Aguiar, André; Márquez, Manuel; Idupulapati, Rao; Montoya, Alejandro; Jiménez, Juliana; Jaramillo, Gabriel; Yedra, Anny; Rivas, Isabela; Arango, JacoboLa región de la Orinoquía en Colombia, que se destaca por su producción ganadera, enfrenta desafíos significativos debido a prácticas de manejo inadecuadas y a la degradación del suelo. Este manual ofrece una guía integral para la gestión estratégica de Urochloa humidicola (pasto Humidícola o Tully – CIAT 679), con el objetivo de optimizar la productividad y sostenibilidad de los sistemas ganaderos en esta región. La gestión eficiente de U. humidicola, ejemplificada en el caso exitoso de la Hacienda San José en Vichada, abarca prácticas innovadoras y detalladas para la planificación y manejo de pasturas. Esto incluye la adecuación de infraestructura ganadera, como caminos, corrales y cercas eléctricas; y la implementación de sistemas rotacionales. Estas estrategias permiten maximizar la eficiencia operativa y asegurar la salud y el bienestar del ganado, garantizando un acceso constante a agua fresca a través de un acueducto ganadero bien diseñado. El manejo estratégico del pastoreo es fundamental para mantener la salud de las pasturas y la productividad del ganado. Este manual introduce un modelo de cálculo de capacidad de carga basado en la altura y la cobertura del pasto, permitiendo ajustar dinámicamente la carga animal para mantener una capacidad sostenible de aproximadamente 1 unidad gran ganado (UGG) por hectárea durante todo el año1. La técnica de rotación de potreros y el manejo diferido de pasturas durante las estaciones secas aseguran un uso óptimo del forraje disponible, mejorando tanto la calidad del pasto como la salud del suelo. Este manual proporciona una hoja de ruta detallada para transformar la ganadería en la Orinoquía (sobretodo en la altillanura), promoviendo prácticas que no solo aumentan la productividad y los ingresos de los ganaderos, sino que también aseguran la sostenibilidad a largo plazo de los recursos naturales. La experiencia de la Hacienda San José sirve como un modelo replicable y demuestra la viabilidad y los beneficios tangibles de estas prácticas en la región.Item Adopting technologies to enhance productivity, resilience and equity in ruminant livestock resources under pastoral systems of Africa(Report, 2025-04-30) Ojango, Julie M.K.; Kirui, Peter; Tumanka, F.O.; Rowan, T.N.; Pedreira, B.C.; Mason, K.M.; Martinez, C.C.Item Enhancing community awareness of antimicrobial use and resistance through community conversations in rural Ethiopia(Journal Article, 2025-05-06) Lemma, Mamusha; Alemu, Biruk; Amenu, Kebede; Wieland, Barbara; Knight-Jones, Theodore J.D.Background: Enhanced availability of veterinary drugs in Ethiopia has led to a growing use of these drugs in food-producing animals. However, the use of drugs in livestock is not commonly supervised by trained veterinarians. In addition, smallholder livestock producers often lack sufficient education and information about antimicrobial use to achieve the intended impact. Methods: We used Community Conversations to raise awareness and knowledge about antimicrobial use and resistance within rural communities. We used single-sex and mixed-gender discussion groups to explore community members’ perceptions and practices regarding antimicrobial use and resistance. Results: The data revealed knowledge and behavioral patterns in antimicrobial use and resistance, which vary between communities based on gender roles and information sources. Initially, antimicrobial resistance was poorly understood, but gradually, frequent drug use, poor-quality medications, poor regulatory system, and poor veterinary service emerged as key contributors. Although communities recognized the importance of preventive measures to reduce antimicrobial use, knowledge gaps and resource constraints limit their implementation. Conclusions: Raising awareness and knowledge within rural communities is an effective approach to promoting behavior change about antimicrobial use and resistance. The insights gained from understanding community perceptions and practices can help develop targeted education and training programs for stakeholders involved in the antimicrobial supply chain.Item Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods Program: Full design document(Report, 2024-11-15) CGIAR Sustainable Animal and Aquatic Foods Science Program