Abstract
Simple SummaryAnimal-source foods are an important dietary complement to the calories in staple food, but in low-income countries, productivity on the smallholder farms that provide most of the domestic food supply is low. The general objective of this survey-based study was to contribute to effective integration of livestock issues in agricultural extension and advisory programs within the framework of sustainable food and nutrition security in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Benin. The findings show that despite the equal importance given by farmers to animal and plant production, livestock production appears to be disadvantaged in terms of access to extension services and new technology compared with plant production, even though many farmers are willing to pay for this service if available. Furthermore, livestock farming is facing constraints related to feeding, health, and reproduction, limiting development of the sector. Based on this study, we recommend that agricultural extension programs be planned in a holistic context, taking into account the major concerns of farmers, with technological packages in integrated crop-livestock systems.Achievement of sustainable agricultural development and national food security in Africa is dependent on several factors, including productivity in the livestock production sub-sector. This study surveyed farmers’ perceptions on provision of extension services relating to livestock production in Burkina Faso, Mali, and Benin. A structured questionnaire comprising dichotomous, multiple-choice, and open-ended questions was used to survey a total of 1560 farmers in Burkina Faso, 345 in Mali, and 480 in Benin. Most farmers surveyed pursued integrated crop and livestock production, but more frequently in Burkina Faso (91%) than in Mali and Benin (66%). Around one-third (36%) of the respondents in Burkina Faso had access to livestock extension services, while the corresponding figure in Mali and Benin was 54% and 69%, respectively (p < 0.01). Moreover, 71% of respondents in Mali, 73% in Burkina Faso, and 84% in Benin reported significantly (p < 0.05) fewer extension activities for livestock compared with crop production. Thus, livestock production seems to be given low priority in agricultural extension interventions. We recommend that future diffusion of technological packages should be more holistic, considering the major concerns of the specific environment and the socio-cultural traditions of both livestock and crop producers.
Highlights
It is well-established that livestock play a critical role for livelihoods, and food and nutrition security in low-income countries [1,2]
1560 farms were included in Burkina Faso, 345 in Mali, and 480 in between 70% (Mali) and 79% (Benin), and
99% of the farmers approached in Burkina Faso, 90% of those in Mali, and 91% of those in Benin participated in the study
Summary
It is well-established that livestock play a critical role for livelihoods, and food and nutrition security in low-income countries [1,2]. Agricultural extension is important for building capacity among livestock farmers in low-income countries. It includes transfer of information and technology from the global knowledge base and local research to farmers, enabling them to identify their own goals and possibilities, helping them to improve their productivity and profit, and stimulating agricultural development. Targeted agricultural extension can be a way to increase sustainable food production and improve livelihoods in such settings [4]. High productivity in the livestock sector is an integral part of sustainable agricultural development and national food security in Africa [1,8]. Livestock provide nutritious food, and support livelihoods by producing high-value food commodities for sale, increasing agricultural yield through enhancing soil fertility (organic manure), and providing draft power that enables tillage of larger areas [9]
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