Crop-livestock Farming Research Articles

Managing forage for grain: Strategies and mechanisms for enhancing forage production to ensure feed grain security 1

The “Greater Food” approach has replaced the older “taking grain production as a top priority” approach. The importance of feed and forage as the material basis for guaranteeing high-quality development of the livestock industry has gradually become prominent. However, owing to the tradition of “both human staple food and animal feed relying on grain production” in China and the decoupling of feed crop planting and livestock farming, the risk of feed grain security has increased, especially as it relates to the supply of high-quality protein feed ingredients from abroad, which is facing a bottleneck. To ensure food security, effective domestic agricultural production should be adopted. Nevertheless, guaranteeing the supply of high-quality protein feed through domestic soybean production is difficult because of limited arable land; furthermore, pressure on the staple food supply is still extreme. In this article, the historical and realistic implications for the security risks of feed grain in China are analyzed. Proposals are made to separate staple food grains for humans from the feed grain supply for animals and to develop high-quality forage to reduce feed grain use. High-quality forage can be supplied via intercropping with grain crops in arable land and reseeding perennial legumes or grasses into natural grasslands. However, “managing forage for grain” needs to be supported via technical paths and policies as the forage industry develops to effectively increase the capacity to ensure feed grain security.

Assessment of legume species for biological nitrogen fixation potential in smallholder farming systems of Kiambu County, Kenya: A participatory approach

This study examined the Biological Nitrogen Fixation (BNF) potential of various legume species in Limuru, Kiambu County, Kenya, focusing on smallholder mixed crop-livestock farmers. Nitrogen is vital to plant growth, particularly for protein synthesis and photosynthesis. Biological nitrogen fixation (BNF), a process by which legumes transform atmospheric nitrogen into a usable form, increases soil fertility and decreases synthetic fertilisers need. The problem addressed was identifying the most effective legumes for improving soil fertility in this region. Using purposive sampling, community-based organisations (CBOs) participated in focus group discussions, where farmers planted experimental plots, collected soil samples, and counted nodules. Destructive sampling was employed during flowering to assess nodulation, with nodules classified based on their ability to fix nitrogen. Results showed Rose coco beans ranked highest due to their efficient nitrogen fixation and adaptability to varying soils and temperatures, followed by Albus lupin and Black and White faba beans. Desmodium also demonstrated persistent nodulation, while indigenous Kienyeji legumes, though less efficient, improved soil fertility. Garden peas, cowpeas, and green grams had lower nitrogen-fixing performance in Limuru's cool, humid climate. This study concludes that Rose coco beans and Albus lupins are highly suitable for improving soil fertility in the region. Participatory methods strengthened farmers' knowledge of sustainable agriculture, and qualitative data highlighted the practical value of BNF legumes. Future research should expand legume trials and explore the use of rhizobia inoculants to further enhance BNF efficiency, supporting long-term agricultural sustainability.

Assessment of livestock husbandry practices and production constraints among smallholder mixed crop-livestock production systems in the Majang zone, southwest Ethiopia

Livestock production plays a significant role in improving the livelihoods of poor smallholder farmer households in the Majang zone. However, despite its importance, there is limited information on husbandry practices and constraints on livestock production to design and implement effective interventions to maximize productivity. The aim of this study was to assess husbandry practices and major constraints on livestock production in the Majang zone, southwest Ethiopia. A semi-structured questionnaire was used to collect data from a randomly selected sample of 168 households (HHs) through a face-to-face interview from January to May 2021. The results revealed that mixed crop-livestock farming is the dominant livestock production system in the study area. The overall average herd size per household (HH) was 2.15 ± 0.11 cattle, 0.15 ± 0.01 sheep, 0.31 ± 0.09 goats, 0.10 ± 0.02 donkey, 0.04 ± 0.00 mule, 0.13 ± 0.02 horses and 0.24 ± 0.02 chickens. Overall herd size did not differ significantly by AEZ except for sheep (p < 0.05). The primary reason for keeping cattle, goats, sheep, equines and poultry were milk production (27.4 %), meat for home consumption (33.9 %), cash income (33.3 %), transportation (85.1 %), and meat for home consumption (72 %), respectively. In the dry and wet seasons, natural pasture, crop residues, indigenous fodder trees and shrubs (IFTSs), nonconventional feed resources (NCFRs), crop stubbles and improved forages were the main livestock feed resources. The majority (60.1 %) of respondents practiced free-grazing systems. Separate sheds, family dwellings, kraals, and open-walled sheds were the main housing systems used for animals. The majority (79.2 %) of respondents used rivers as a source of livestock drinking water. Trypanosomiasis (18.45 %), African horse sickness (66.1 %) and Newcastle disease (47.02 %) were the most important diseases of livestock. Diseases (35.7 %), lack of access to artificial insemination (35.7 %) and inadequate veterinary services (11.3 %) were identified as the top three constraints limiting production. It is recommended that constraints identified by farmers should be considered in developing and implementing effective interventions to improve livestock productivity and their contribution to poverty alleviation in the study area.

Identification of Salmonella enterica biovars Gallinarum and Pullorum and their antibiotic resistance pattern in integrated crop-livestock farms and poultry meats

Due to consumer demand, many conventional poultry farms are now growing poultry without antibiotics or synthetic chemicals. In addition to this, pasture/organic poultry farms have increased significantly in the USA, and they are also antibiotic- and chemical-free. According to recent reports, both antibiotic-free conventional and pasture poultry farmers are facing the re-emergence of bacterial diseases. Bacterial diseases cause higher mortality rates in birds and lead to non-profitable poultry farming. This study investigated the prevalence of Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Gallinarum biovars Gallinarum (S. Gallinarum), the causative agent of fowl typhoid, and Salmonella enterica subsp. enterica serovar Gallinarum biovars Pullorum (S. Pullorum), the causative agent of pullorum disease, within integrated crop-livestock/pasture farm environments and their processed products. Specifically, the study focused on both the pre-harvest period, which includes the conditions and practices on the farm before the crops and livestock are harvested, and the post-harvest period, which encompasses the handling, processing, and storage of the products after harvest. A total of 1286 samples were collected from six farms and adjacent 13 markets to determine the prevalence of S. Gallinarum and S. Pullorum by using both microbiological culture and molecular techniques, specifically PCR. Antimicrobial susceptibility testing was performed using the agar dilution method for the recommended antibiotics as described in the Clinical Laboratory Standards Institute (CLSI). S. Pullorum was detected in 11 samples (2.7%), while S. Gallinarum was found in six samples (1.5%) out of a total of 403 samples at the pre-harvest level. At the post-harvest level, only S. Gallinarum was identified in 14 meat samples out of 883(1.6%) recovered from samples collected from retail markets. Antibiogram showed S. Gallinarum and S. Pullorum to be highly resistant to cephradine, trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, amoxicillin, streptomycin, and ampicillin. This data demonstrates that both S. Pullorum and S. Gallinarum are commonly present in farm poultry environments as well as the products sold in the markets, which warrants implementation of regular surveillance and monitoring programmes, as well as potentially requiring future control strategies to reduce S. Pullorum and S. Gallinarum transmission.

Characterization of smallholder irob cattle production system: contributions to develop a breeding program.

An exploratory survey (i) to investigate livestock production system, reproductive and production performance of Irob cattle and (ii) to recognize constraints to cattle production was conducted in eastern Tigray zone, northern Ethiopia. Six tabias (the smallest administrative unit consisting of several villages) were chosen using purposive sampling method and households from each tabia were randomly selected. Mixed crop-livestock farming system dominates the study area. Overall herd size was 5.3 ± 2.7, with each herd comprising of 1.7 ± 1.2 cows, 1.4 ± 0.9 oxen, 0.5 ± 0.7 heifers, 0.5 ± 0.7 bulls and 1.2 ± 0.9 calves. Cattle are kept for draught power (index = 0.43), milk (index = 0.32), income (index = 0.15), manure (index = 0.06) and crop threshing (index = 0.04). Major feed resources in the study area were natural pasture, crop residue and cactus pear (Opuntia ficus-indica). Overall mean (± SD) for age at first services (AFS), age at first calving (AFC), calving interval (CI), days open (DO), daily milk yield (DMY) and lactation length (LL) was 28.3 ± 3.9 months, 37.4 ± 5.5 months, 15.5 ± 4.1 months, 6.5 ± 1.8 months, 1.7 ± 0.4L and 7.4 ± 2.0 months, respectively. There was no significant (p > 0.05) difference in performance traits between districts. Well-known cattle production constraints in order of significance were feed, disease and parasites, AI, water and veterinary service. In conclusion, the study shown importance of taking into account the production environment in developing breed improvement program and recommends fit management system.

Critical climate-stress moments for semi-arid farming systems in India

In the face of the increasing frequency of climate stresses, climate change projections can help in adaptation planning and resilience-building. However, typical climate change projections, such as annual average rainfall and temperature increases, are not helpful for farmers in understanding specific climate risks, like crop loss, and making adaptation decisions. Our study aims to identify and characterise context- and time-specific climate stresses in terms of climate conditions of concern to improve the understanding of future climate risks and enhance the climate resilience of semi-arid farming systems in India. Utilising the concept of critical climate-stress moments, we employ an innovative bottom-up methodology integrating insights from focus group discussions with farmers, key informant interviews, and an ensemble of downscaled and bias-corrected Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP-6) models. Our case studies include (i) a mixed crop-livestock farming system, (ii) a horticulture-based farming system, (iii) a cash crop–dominant farming system, and (iv) a cereal-dominant farming system. The specific climate conditions of concern identified were (i) increasing volume of late-monsoon rainfall, (ii) rising winter temperatures, (iii) increase in the number of days with temperatures exceeding 40 °C, (iv) increase in days with heavy rainfall (> 25 mm), and (v) increasing rainfall during the dry season. Identifying these critical moments improves understanding of both the temporal and spatial variations in climate risks, providing valuable inputs for targeted and implementable climate resilience–building actions. We recommend revising national and state action plans on climate change by utilising such region-specific assessments of critical climate-stress moments.

Agricultural Landscape Model Based on the Culture of the Indigenous People of Tana Toraja, South Sulawesi

Abstract The interaction between humans and their environment forms cultural landscape. One of the cultural landscape in Indonesia is Tana Toraja. The Tana Toraja indigenous people’s way of life refers to the Aluk Todolo religion which regulates the relationships of between human-human, human-God (Puang Matua), and human-environment. The regulation influences their environment, settlement, and agriculture management. Agriculture in Tana Toraja is managed by the community not only for the economic sector but also to ensure food security and preserve traditional cultural activities. This study aims to identify and analyze the elements that make up the agricultural landscape of the Tana Toraja indigenous people, as well as develop a local culture-based agricultural landscape model. The method using in this research was spatial descriptive method by tracing customary manuscripts (literature review), interviewing traditional leaders, and field observations. This research has identified the elements that make up the Tana Toraja agricultural landscape were hills, rivers and springs, forests, rice fields, dryland fields, gardens, fish ponds (gusean), yards, and cattle pens. Integrated agriculture that is carried out based on local customs is paddy-fish integrative farming, rice-livestock integrative farming, agroforestry, and crop-livestock integrative farming. The form of integrated agriculture can be seen at the macro and micro levels and consists of spatial concepts, vegetation concepts, and circulation concepts. At the macro level, which consists of four landform hierarchies in the settlement landscape, which indicates their philosophy of life, they are successively a sacred place (hill), their ancestral home, the general settlement and agricultural areas, and development area for their subsequent offspring.

Pendampingan dan Penguatan Kapasitas Masyarakat dalam Pemulihan Kerusakan Lingkungan di Provinsi Sulawesi Barat

Community empowerment begins with understanding that every individual and group has potential and abilities that can be developed. In Mamuju Regency, precisely in Tommo District, there is peat but it is small which if damaged and not managed properly will result in land fires, floods, and soil pollution. This assistance aims to position the community as a party that plays an active role in environmental recovery. One of the initial stages of assistance or empowerment activities carried out is Problem Identification and Situation Analysis. It is hoped that the problems faced can be clearly identified, the related situation can be analyzed comprehensively, and the next steps can be designed to plan effective and sustainable interventions. Strengthening the understanding of problem identification and location analysis is carried out using the IMAS tool through survey methods, interviews, and FGDs. The results of problem identification and situation analysis found several problems that can be used as references in formulating systematic and effective planning for community empowerment. Based on the results of the problem identification and situation analysis in Buana Sakti Village, Tamemongga Village, Tamejarra Village, West Leling Village and North Leling Village, problems were found in flooding, lack of fertilizer availability and the distance of the village from the city which makes it difficult to get fresh fish to meet the protein needs of the community. From the results of the problem identification and situation analysis, a Community Work Plan formulation was formed such as freshwater fish farming, long-term crop planting, horticultural planting, and livestock farming. The proposed work plan is expected to be able to help the community in meeting needs, improving the community's economy, and can answer problems that occur in each village.

Lung cancer risk associated with occupations in women: a pooling study.

Occupation is an important risk factor for lung cancer. This knowledge is mainly based on studies conducted on men, with the results being generalized to women. We aimed to identify the relationship between different occupations and lung cancer in women. Pooling study in which data were pooled from six case-control studies conducted at 13 Spanish hospitals and 1 hospital in Portugal. Each woman's longest held job was coded as per the ISCO-08. Results were adjusted for age, smoking, and exposure to residential radon. The study population comprised 1262 women: 618 cases and 644 controls. The reference group were white-collar workers. The adjusted multivariate analysis showed a higher risk of developing lung cancer among teaching professionals (odds ratio [OR]: 4.36; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.73-11.02), cooks (OR: 3.59; 95% CI 1.52-8.48), domestic cleaners and helpers (OR: 2.98; 95% CI 1.54-5.78), homemakers (OR: 2.30; 95% CI 1.26-4.21) and crop farmers, livestock farmers and gardeners (OR: 2.06, 95% CI: 1.11-3.81). For adenocarcinoma, the highest risk was observed in teaching professionals, and for small-cell carcinoma, the highest risk was observed in cooks. Higher risks were observed for small-cell carcinoma compared to other histological types. Some occupations may be associated with an increased risk of lung cancer in women and this risk could vary by histologic subtype; however, further research is needed to confirm these associations. In any case, protection measures must be implemented in the workplace aimed at reducing the risk of lung cancer among women workers, and more studies exclusively focused on women are warranted.

Empowering Smallholder Sorghum Farmers for Resilience: Lessons from a Community-Based Seed Multiplication Scheme in West Hararghe, Ethiopia

Sorghum is a vital crop for food security in Ethiopia. Sorghum landraces are particularly crucial in crop-livestock mixed farming, however, the extended growing periods (6-8 months) required for these landraces make the crop vulnerable to recurrent drought events associated with delayed rain, dry spells, and drought during critical stages. The landraces are usually planted in March or April depending on the onset of rainfall and harvested around November but often fail due to drought. In such situations, early-maturing improved varieties are an option for farmers but access to seeds of these improved varieties is a challenge. Unlike the landraces, the improved early maturing varieties are planted around the first weeks of July and harvested in November. The formal seed system multiplies only a limited amount of improved sorghum seed, which is rarely available to smallholder sorghum growers, mostly as part of a government package for targeted programs. Therefore, a community-based seed multiplication (CBSM) scheme was introduced to address seed shortages among smallholder sorghum farmers. After a successful experiment in 2015 aimed at enhancing seed multiplication by smallholder sorghum farmers, the process was further implemented on a larger scale using the CBSM scheme. Between 2016 and 2017, three CBSM farmer groups consisting of a total of 56 participants were established in three districts of West Hararghe, Ethiopia. Seeds of two early-maturing and drought-tolerant improved sorghum varieties (Dekeba and Melkam) were multiplied on a total area of 49.58 hectares, resulting in 215.6 tons of certified seeds. The study&amp;apos;s findings indicate that the CBSM scheme enhanced smallholder farmers&amp;apos; sorghum yields, incomes, and climate resilience by providing high-quality seeds, expanding access to improved seeds, improving crop quality, and empowering communities to manage seed distribution. Partnerships with local organizations and government agencies were vital for success, allowing the scheme to reach more farmers in different regions. The scheme proved successful for smallholder sorghum growers in Ethiopia&amp;apos;s dry lowlands, offering lessons applicable to similar challenges elsewhere, and promoting sustainable solutions for smallholder farmers.

Empirical Analysis on Economic Sustainable of Rice Rain-Fed Area in Rural Cambodia

This paper investigates the economic sustainability of Cambodian rural rice farmers. Rice in Cambodia is a stable crop just as in many other Southeast Asian countries. The rice plants not only provide food to people but also a source of feed for livestock. Based on survey about of 6 districts of the rural household in Battambang of Cambodia, a total 204 rice farmers were interviewed and multiple regression models was applied using the method of Ordinary Least Squares (OLS) to determine the factors affecting the Crop-livestock farmers’ disposable income. The study aggregated the livestock of 3 species including cattle, pig and chicken in cattle unit standard known as Livestock Unit (LU). The result of the empirical analysis shows that many household demography factors as well as the socioeconomic factors influences the disposable income. The findings in the study provide an insight to the government and extension offices on effective development of economic sustainability of rice farming and livestock production system in the regions; investing more in public animal healthcare; ensure stable market prices for both rice and livestock, paying more attention on the factors limiting income in particular to poorer provinces and districts. Provide irrigation facilities accompanied with high technological varieties to encourage the double or even triple rice seasons. In addition, government (especially the ministry of agriculture) should embark on technological transfer among provinces and countries with successful agricultural system, orient farmers on the potential benefits of crop-livestock farming, provide training ground and scheme to local farmers.

Indigenous agricultural practices employed by the Vhavenda community in the Musina local municipality to promote sustainable environmental management

Indigenous knowledge offers insights into preserving natural resources and further contributes towards improving rural livelihoods. Incorporating this knowledge into agriculture can therefore increase acceptance and innovation of sustainable technologies. In support of this argument, rural small-scale farmers have globally proven the significance of indigenous knowledge in the agricultural sector by incorporating their local strategies and practices for both commercial and subsistence agriculture. This article demonstrates the various indigenous farming practices employed by the Vhavenda Community and how these practices promote sustainable environmental management. It reflects the essential aspects crucial to indicating the value of indigenous agriculture. Using a mixed-methods approach, we administered face-to-face structured questionnaires to elderly villagers aged 50 years and above from the study area. Our results revealed various agricultural practices such as crop rotations, polyculture, intercropping, livestock farming, ploughing rituals, water harvesting, and seasonal agriculture. The Vhavenda community incorporates local knowledge, which is unique to these agricultural practices, and uses various strategies which contribute to a sustainable environment within their area. This has, in turn, allowed them to improve their livelihoods, reduce poverty, and provide life sustenance. The study's findings demonstrate the significance of indigenous knowledge in the agricultural sector and rural peoples' efforts towards supportable environmental management. The article therefore suggests that local indigenous knowledge should be understood as a collaborative concept within the agricultural industry. Furthermore, it proposes that stakeholders who influence decision-making and progress in rural communities should consider this knowledge and work together with local inhabitants. Additionally, it advocates for acknowledging the understanding of local indigenous peoples in pursuing sustainable environmental management.

Soil fertility in mixed crop-livestock farming systems of Punjab, Pakistan: The role of institutional factors and sustainable land management practices

CONTEXTSoil salinization is a significant environmental challenge prevalent in arid and semi-arid regions, causing adverse effects on crop yields and jeopardizing household food security. Previous research has examined the influence of institutional dynamics and the adoption of sustainable land management practices in bolstering agricultural output, and some have investigated the interplay among socioeconomic determinants, institutional frameworks, and the uptake of climate-resilient and sustainable methodologies, or the association between soil health and agricultural productivity. Yet, there has been a lack of studies that considered this relationship altogether and their role in enhancing soil fertility. OBJECTIVEWe investigate the relationship among socioeconomic and institutional factors, adoption of sustainable land management practices, and the resulting changes in soil fertility between 2016 and 2019 within the context of mixed crop-livestock farms in the three irrigated agroecological zones of Punjab, Pakistan. A household survey was conducted in 2019 to complement soil attributes data collected by the Government of Punjab in 2016. Households that implemented sustainable land management practices between 2016 and 2019 were analysed to investigate the effect of various factors on soil fertility, including the adoption of sustainable land management practices and their influence on soil fertility dynamics. METHODSA structural equation model was employed to examine the relationship among exogenous variables, moderating variables, and endogenous variables, to explain their collective influence on soil fertility between the two periods. RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONSThe key findings highlight the significant role of institutional factors, including access to formal information channels such as extension services, demonstration trials, and credit facilities, alongside secure land rights, in predicting the adoption of sustainable land management practices such as gypsum application, laser land leveling, farmyard manuring, and agroforestry. Furthermore, specific SLM practices, particularly agroforestry featuring intercropping with Acacia spp. and farmyard manure application, exhibited positive impacts on change in soil organic matter, albeit with agroforestry showing a negative influence on soil phosphorus levels. The adoption of gypsum and LLL displayed positive effects on soil phosphorus levels over time, contrasting with LLL's adverse impact on soil organic matter. SIGNIFICANCEOur findings suggest that soil fertility benefits from policies enacted through public-private partnerships that lead to improved access to sustainable land management information, reduced credit barriers, establishment of local soil testing facilities, and expedited land entitlement processes. These findings highlight the critical role of collaborative partnerships and institutional arrangements in enhancing agricultural productivity and environmental sustainability.

Distinguishing direct N2O emissions from 15N-labeled manure compost, urea, and maize roots in a field study

Nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions from agricultural activities are a significant contributor to global anthropogenic N2O emissions. Sustainable agriculture practices, including using manure compost to replace nitrogen (N) fertilizers, can reduce chemical fertilizer use and minimize negative impacts on soil health and water quality. However, the direct contributions of manure compost to N2O emissions have not been fully studied. We conducted a field study to distinguish the direct contributions of manure compost, urea, and residual maize roots to N2O emissions in an integrated crop-livestock agricultural system in Shandong Province, China. Using the 15N-labeling technique, we found that the majority (93.3%) of cumulative N2O emissions originated from the soil and other unaccounted sources. Notably, manure compost contributed 1.3%, while current-year urea, residual urea with root exudates, and maize root accounted for 3.4%, 1.9%, and 0.03% of cumulative N2O, respectively. Our results also demonstrated that applying manure compost in combination with urea resulted in lower seed yield-scaled N2O emissions (0.046 g N2O-N kg−1 seed) compared to applying urea alone, even when the total N input was identical, suggesting the potential of manure compost in a more sustainable agriculture model. The low emission factor of manure compost (0.005%) compared to urea (0.019%) supports this potential, indicating the slow-release nature of manure may mitigate N2O while maintaining crop yield. Additionally, the overall low emissions may be attributed to the relatively high soil pH (8.17), which influences the denitrification product ratio, favoring the conversion of N2O to N2. Our study provides valuable insights into the factors contributing to N2O emissions in integrated crop-livestock farming systems, and highlights the importance of distinguishing multiple sources of N2O emissions to develop effective strategies for reducing emissions while promoting sustainable agriculture.

Policy and Competitiveness of Integrated Agricultural-Based technology for Cocoa Production in Indonesia: Application of a Policy Analysis Matrix

Purpose: The research aimed to evaluate the competitiveness of smallholder cocoa plantations and the efficiency of input use in cocoa farming by strengthening farmer groups Indonesia. Theoretical framework: The research design includes the steps taken in conducting research, data sources, and how to obtain data and data analysis. The research clearly describes the variables, data collection, and data analysis methods to have a clear picture of the competitiveness of cocoa farming. Design/methodology/approach : Measuring the competitiveness of cocoa in Bali using the Policy Analysis Matrix (PAM) method. PAM analysis is used to calculate private profit, which is a measure of farm competitiveness at the market price level or the actual price Findings: Competitiveness at the social price level is placed on the second row of the PAM table, Indonesia is an agricultural country and the development of the main agricultural sector, especially cocoa commodities which are managed through community plantations in rural areas, shows the ability to be comparatively competitive, even competitive, even though some components such as private farmer profits can be achieved at 69% compared to what cocoa farmers should receive. Farmers can receive social benefits of up to 40%. Even though cocoa production receives output subsidies, cocoa farmers are only able to obtain a price of 79%, or 21% lower than the world cocoa price, but it is still competitively profitable for farmers. The inputs needed by farmers in cocoa production can be managed by farmers so that the price of tradable inputs at the farmer level shows the same price at the economic level so that it is said to have comparative and competitive competitiveness. Research, Practical &amp; Social implications: Competitive cocoa in Indonesia provides benefits to farmers at small-scale plantations of up to 69 %, and the profits received by farmers are 40% when measured comparatively. Originality/value: Originality/Value: This research is original. Implemented in smallholder cocoa plantations in Indonesia with integrated crop-livestock farming patterns to produce outputs that can compete at social prices and to motivate other cocoa farmers to develop farming system innovations that can increase cocoa production based on local resources.

Design Integrated Crop-Livestock and Fish Farming Model with LEISA System in North Minahasa Regency

Agricultural land in North Minahasa district has been shrinking. The number of farming families with land ownership of less than 0.5 ha is increasing due to land fragmentation. Designing an integrated farming system (IAS) model is a solution to the land problem, so that intensive farming can be carried out. This system can also be a solution to self-sufficiency and food self-sufficiency in agricultural products in a sustainable manner. The purpose of the study was to analyse the integrated farming system between crops, livestock and fish with various integrated farming patterns based on land area feasibility, economic feasibility, ecological feasibility, social feasibility for farming development in North Minahasa district. The results of the analysis obtained that the land area for crops and livestock/fish is between 0.2 ha to 0.4 ha including 0.1 ha for housing and other household businesses. economically, the net income from crops and livestock/fish is at least an average of Rp 175,000 per day. (North Sulawesi UMP 2023 standard, IDR 3,485,000/month), with a ratio of net income to RTP needs ≥ 1.0. Ecologically, the production of organic matter from livestock/fish is sufficient/exceeds the needs of crops (≥ 1.0) The strategic model for SPT development in North Minahasa district is to increase the variety of farmer income sources, increase the use of organic matter from livestock and agricultural residues, optimise land and soil utilisation.

Ecological distribution of Staphylococcus in integrated farms within Washington DC–Maryland

AbstractMixed crop livestock farming (MCLF) is a growing practice in organic farming where livestock and crops are grown near each other to promote environmental sustainability through recycling. However, MCLF livestock are reservoirs of many zoonotic pathogens, such as Staphylococcus spp., and can serve as sources of cross‐contamination for plant food products. A surveillance study was conducted to determine the prevalence and antibiotic‐resistance patterns of various Staphylococcus spp. species isolated from the environment of multiple MCLFs and produced from pre‐harvest and post‐harvest levels within the DC–Maryland metropolitan area. A total of 3038 environmental and pre‐harvest produce and 836 post‐harvest produce samples were collected from eight farms and two retail supermarkets. In addition, 36 skin swabs from farmworkers and university students were also collected. PCR was used to confirm the presence of Staphylococcus spp. in all samples. Major species were identified using a species‐specific multiplex PCR. An antibiogram assay was performed to determine antibiotic resistance profiles. The overall prevalence of Staphylococcus spp. was 12.18% pre‐harvest and 7.54% post‐harvest. The most identified species was Staphylococcus epidermidis (19.86%), while most isolates remained unknown (73.90%). Approximately 83.33% of skin swabs were positive for Staphylococcus spp., with Staphylococcus xylosus being the predominant species (16.7%). The highest percentage of isolates were resistant to aminoglycosides and macrolides, with 24.11% of tested samples being multidrug‐resistant. S. epidermidis had the most resistance compared to the other species. This study suggests that antibiotic‐resistant Staphylococcus spp. is present in mixed farm environments, and proper steps need to be taken to control the transmission between livestock, crops, and humans.

Correction to: Exploring farmers’ perception of climate-induced events and adaptation practices to protect crop production and livestock farming in the Haor area of north-eastern Bangladesh

Correction to: Exploring farmers’ perception of climate-induced events and adaptation practices to protect crop production and livestock farming in the Haor area of north-eastern Bangladesh

The contributions of smallholder farmers toward household food security in Chabelane village, Limpopo province, South Africa

Although South Africa is considered to be food secure at the country level, large numbers of households within the country remain food insecure (De Cock et al. 2013). Food inaccessibility in many rural areas of South Africa has manifested itself in many formats but has positioned poor households to struggle to meet their basic household requirements and be more vulnerable to food insecurity. Details of such food insecurity, however, may differ (De Cock et al. 2013; D’Haese et al. 2013). This study aimed to investigate the contributions of smallholder farmers toward household food security in Chabelane Village, in Limpopo Province, South Africa. A quota sampling method was used to select 20 smallholder farmers in Chabelane Village. Data was collected through semi-structured interviews and the analysis of data was done using thematic analysis. This study has highlighted the prevalence of food security status among smallholder farmers. Household food security in rural areas is a significant matter, as it is necessary to have appropriate access to healthy foods that lead to active life. Furthermore, the study highlighted the smallholder farmers’ agricultural practices which are crop farming and livestock farming. Moreover, increased food supply, job opportunities, and income generation were highlighted as the contributions of the smallholder farmers toward household food security. However, the smallholder farmers in this study area experienced challenges such as lack of finances, water shortages, and lack of access to formal market. This study recommends access to financial aid through access to loans from the banks, raising awareness among smallholder farmers about the knowledge on how to access formal markets. Additionally, the Department of Agriculture or local municipality to provide water tanks or boreholes for smallholder farmers to have undisrupted access to water for productive farming practices. This study contributes to the growing body of knowledge on the contributions of smallholder farmers towards household food security by providing valuable insights into the relationship between food security and smallholder farmers, particularly in Chabelane Village, Limpopo Province, South Africa.

Exploring social indicators in smallholder food systems: modeling children’s educational outcomes on crop-livestock family farms in Madagascar

Promoting smallholders’ sustainable development in Africa means addressing agronomic and economic factors but also highly relevant social influences shaping farmers’ production and affecting household well-being. Holistic, integrated analyses can help to meet this need, informing more effective policies and interventions for smallholder farming systems. The authors apply a transdisciplinary, quantitative approach to analyzing social impacts in the smallholder context, using milk-producing crop-livestock family farms in central Madagascar as a test case. First, stochastic frontier analysis is leveraged to confirm education as a social indicator linked to production efficiency. Then, linear regression is used for exploratory modeling of children’s educational outcomes. Findings from the Malagasy case emphasize the influence of rural infrastructure, parental education, chronic poverty, family planning, and crop-livestock diversification on children’s educational outcomes among one region’s farming households. Taken together, results suggest that Madagascar’s policymakers should consider comprehensive territorial planning for simultaneously promoting agricultural development and human well-being. This study illustrates how a transdisciplinary approach to social impacts analysis can integrate agronomic, economic, and social dynamics and help anticipate potential outcomes in support of smallholders’ sustainable development.