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    Micro-livestock in smallholder farming systems: the role, challenges and opportunities for cavies in South Kivu, eastern DR Congo

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    Journal Article (1.496Mb)
    Date
    2020
    Author
    Klapwijk, C.J.
    Schut, M.
    van Asten, P.J.
    Vanlauwe, B.
    Giller, K.E.
    Descheemaeker, K.
    Type
    Journal Article
    Review Status
    Peer Review
    Target Audience
    Scientists
    Metadata
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    Abstract/Description
    Livestock play multiple roles for smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa. Mixed crop-livestock systems are common in South Kivu, eastern DR Congo, but herd sizes are small and numbers of large livestock (i.e. cattle) have declined, due to high population density, recent conflicts and extreme poverty. Over half of the farmers keep cavies, a type of micro-livestock fitting the circumstances of smallholders and a valuable asset especially for the poorest households. To characterize cavy husbandry practices, detailed monthly on-farm data on cavy numbers, weights, herd dynamics and feeding practices were collected over 15 months and from households in two contrasting sites in South Kivu. Cavy herds contained on average 10 animals and strongly varied in size over time and between households. The main reasons for keeping cavies were meat consumption, especially for children, and the opportunity to generate petty cash. A large difference was observed in adult cavy live weights between the sites (an average of 0.6 and 1.0 kg per animal in Kabamba and Lurhala, respectively) and attributed to differences in cavy husbandry and genetics. In both sites, quantities of fresh fodder on offer were larger than fodder demand by 50–100%, but no correlation was found between amount of fodder on offer and cavy weight. Farmers faced several constraints to cavy production, including substantial declines in cavy herd size due to predation or theft and a lack of knowledge regarding breeding and feeding. Hence, the introduction of cages to limit mortality and fodder cultivation to improve feed quality were opportunities for improving cavy production. Overall, micro-livestock present a promising entry-point for development initiatives, also outside DR Congo, because of their potential to decrease poverty and improve human nutrition.
    https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11250-019-02112-9
    Multi standard citation
    Permanent link to this item
    https://hdl.handle.net/20.500.12478/6905
    IITA Authors ORCID
    Marc Schuthttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-3361-4581
    Piet van Astenhttps://orcid.org/0000-0003-0584-3552
    bernard vanlauwehttps://orcid.org/0000-0001-6016-6027
    Ken E Gillerhttps://orcid.org/0000-0002-5998-4652
    Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
    https://dx.doi.org/10.1007/s11250-019-02112-9
    Research Themes
    Natural Resource Management; Social Science and Agribusiness
    IITA Subjects
    Agronomy; Crop Husbandry; Crop Systems; Domestic Trade; Farm Management; Farming Systems; Livelihoods; Smallholder Farmers
    Agrovoc Terms
    Democratic Republic of the Congo; Cavia; Livestock; Smallholders; Farmers; Livelihoods; Farming Systems; Fodder Crops
    Regions
    Africa; Central Africa
    Countries
    Democratic Republic of the Congo
    Hubs
    Central Africa Hub
    Journals
    Tropical Animal Health and Production
    Collections
    • Journal and Journal Articles4839
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