Improvement of livestock production in crop-animal systems in the agro-ecological zones of South Asia

Devendra, C.; Thomas, D.; Jabbar, M.A.; Zerbini, E. 2000. Improvement of livestock production in crop-animal systems in the agro-ecological zones of South Asia. 108p. Nairobi (Kenya): ILRI.

This document presents the results of a study conducted to assess the constraints to production and research opportunities for enhancing the contribution of livestock in crop-animal systems in agro-ecological zones of South Asia. The study involves six countries: Bangladesh, Bhutan, India, Nepal, Pakistan and Sri Lanka. The study aims at helping set priorities and focus the limited resources in order that livestock research can be most effective. The document is divided in six parts. The first part is background. The second and third parts discuss characterisation and importance of agro-ecological zones in South Asia, and characterisation of farming systems and review of research respectively. The fourth part outlines field assessment of crop-animal systems and the fifth part highlights key researchable issues in crop-animal systems. Strategy for research and recommendations are presented in the last section. An outline on animal agriculture in the six countries is attached as an appendix.