1.1 The desirability and implications of encouraging intensive animal production enterprises in developing countries

Abstract

The apparent superior productivity of livestock systems in most developed countries, compared with those in most developing countries, has been well documented and is quantified for five major types of livestock production in Table 1.1.1. It is likely, however, that this productive superiority is not anything like as great as these data suggest. For example, a large number of the cattle and buffaloes producing beef in developing countries will almost certainly be also used for work purposes, the majority of the females will produce some milk for human consumption and all will produce manure that may be used as fertilizer or fuel. Also, large numbers of pigs and poultry in developing countries are reared as scavengers and are not fed highly-priced grain or other concentrate feeds.