Livestock are an important component of smallholder farming systems throughout Southeast Asia. Direct benefits include: income from the production of offspring, meat, milk or eggs; transport; and sources of dietary protein for the family. Livestock can also plays a less obvious role; as readily available draught power when fields need to be ploughed quickly between the first rains that wet the soil, and the second rains that feed the new crops. Even less visible are the significant benefits to crop production from the application of manure to fields. Another often overlooked advantage of owning livestock is their role as a form of medical insurance or as absence of interest on a loan. Unfortunately animal feed resources are often scarce and unless farmers grow their own forages, animals can suffer from lack of feed or malnutrition. Forage crops are important assets for animal productivity. The Forages for Smallholders Project (FSP) began in 1995 with funding from AusAID. The Asian Development Bank provided funds for the second phase (FSP-II) from 2000 to 2002. The goal of the project was to improve the livelihood of resource-poor farmers in the upland systems of Asia. This was to be achieved by developing sustainable forage technologies, increasing livestock production, conserving soil and enhancing nutrient management. The project was coordinated by the Centro International de Agricultura Tropical (CIAT), and operated in six countries: PR China, Indonesia, Lao PDR, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam.
Publication year
2003
Authors
Samson J; Saguinhon J; Nacalaban W; Mercado Jr A R
Language
English
Keywords
Development, Forage, Participatory approaches, Resource management, Small farms, Soil conservation, Technology, Water conservation
Geographic
Philippines
