Characteristics of the Existing Rainfed Rice-Bali Cattle Production Systems in Maliana, Bobonaro, Timor-Leste

Abstract

The study area reveals that small-scale subsistence cropping of rice, maize and coffee remained in Maliana. Farmers obtained their income primarily from farming characterized by relatively low yield which they attributed poor application of improved technologies like the use of quality seeds, fertilizer and other inputs. Other than crops, farmer-respondents also integrate Bali cattle in their farms during fallow period where rice straw became available for the animals. Farming systems are diverse and most farmers also raise livestock (cattle, water buffalo, goats, sheep, chickens and pigs). Native pastures which comprise mainly native grasses and some legumes such as Leucaena (ipil-ipil), Gliricidia (madre de cacao) and other edible plants provide a cheap source of feed. Livestock range freely with no grazing management which gradually lead to loss of vegetative cover and soil erosion. Moreover, survey results reveal that majority of farmer-respondents had inherited the practice of raising Bali cattle from their parents. It was found that they have been raising cattle from 5 to 40 years. A big proportion of respondents got their knowledge for raising cattle from the government with conditions such as provision of training on feeding, pest and disease control, free vaccines and other technical support. As a consequence, farmers mentioned that the availability of inexpensive and quality forages, especially during the long dry season (6-7 months) is a major constraint on cattle production in the seven villages of Maliana. The farmers depend heavily on locally available natural feed resources, but there is a shortfall due to limited land availability and uncertain local climatic patterns. This is aggravated by the inadequate support extended to farmers in terms of improved technology in crop-livestock farming system is aggravated by the scarcity of resources and reluctance of farmers to adopt improved technologies.