Livestock Inputs Research Articles

Constraints to Livestock Production among Rural Households in Southwest Nigeria

The potential of livestock production as a veritable means of livelihood especially in rural areas is constrained by the array of challenges. This study ascertained constraints limiting livestock production potentials among rural households in southwest Nigeria. Simple random sampling was used to select 131 and 116 rural households from Ondo and Osun, respectively. Data were analysed using mean, percentages, Pearson product-moment correlation and t-test. Respondents reared goats and sheep, poultry, and pig purposely for household use (91.9%) and sales (85.0%). Management system mostly practised was semi-intensive (71.7%). Radio ranked highest among information sources. Inadequate capital ( =2.01) limits goat/sheep production, poultry production was constrained by predators ( =1.98), while the high cost of livestock input ( =1.93) limits pig production. Poultry production constraints were significantly higher in Ondo (26.77±9.11) relative to Osun (22.72±11.38). Information sources significantly influenced constraints on livestock production (r=0.309). Household size (r=0.170) and years of experience (r=0.179) significantly relate to constraints to livestock production. The study recommends community and rural banking to facilitate easy access to loans and credit facilities; improved veterinary services and an increase in livestock extension personnel.

Production decisions and food security outcomes of smallholder’s livestock market participation: empirical evidence from Zimbabwe

Smallholder market participation is an important pathway to improving the productivity and livelihoods of farm households. Despite several studies documenting the effect of market participation on crop production, relatively little is known about the effect of smallholder participation in livestock markets. We investigate effects of smallholder market participation on livestock production and household food security in Zimbabwe. Using survey data collected from 625 households and an instrumental variables strategy to address endogeneity concerns, we find that households participating in livestock markets are more likely to engage in market-oriented livestock production, use improved livestock inputs, and have better food security outcomes. While market participants are more likely to consider market conditions in their decisions, most farmers are needs-driven and cannot afford to adopt commercial-oriented behavior. Overall, smallholder livestock production systems respond to market incentives and can support food security strategies, particularly in drylands where crop production is risky.

Effects of soil types and fertility management practices on soil silicon availability and banana silicon uptake

ABSTRACT Although silicon (Si) is one of soil abundant constituents and one of the key elements enhancing plant disease resistance, banana uptake of Si is limited by soil Si availability. It remains unclear what factors regulates soil Si availability and whether banana Si uptake increases with increasing soil Si availability in home garden soils. To test whether soil Si availability and banana leaf SiO2 contents are affected by soil types or fertility management practices, we measured (1) banana leaf SiO2 contents along the gradient of livestock inputs in Andisols of Tanzania and (2) water extractable Si, phosphate-buffer extractable Si, and banana leaf SiO2 in the home garden soils with different degree of volcanic ash admixing and with/without leguminous trees in Indonesia (East Java and East Kalimantan). Livestock dung application increased banana leaf SiO2 contents in the Tanzanian home gardens. Water extractable Si increased with increasing soil pH, but soil phosphate-buffer extractable Si and banana leaf SiO2 contents were strongly regulated by oxalate-extractable Si and andic properties in the Indonesian home gardens. Effects of companion trees (agroforestry) increased banana leaf SiO2 only in two of three Andisols (Java). These results suggest that banana leaf SiO2 contents could be primarily regulated by admixing degree of volcanic parent materials rich in weatherable minerals, but that banana leaf SiO2 contents could also be increased by inputs of livestock dung rich in Si (Tanzania) and agroforestry (Indoensia).

Large herbivorous wildlife and livestock differentially influence the relative importance of different sources of energy for riverine food webs

In many regions of the world, large populations of native wildlife have declined or been replaced by livestock grazing areas and farmlands, with consequences for terrestrial-aquatic ecosystem connectivity and trophic resources supporting food webs in aquatic ecosystems. The river continuum concept (RCC) and the riverine productivity model (RPM) predict a shift of energy supplying aquatic food webs along rivers: from terrestrial inputs in low-order streams to autochthonous production in mid-sized rivers. In Afromontane-savanna landscapes, the shifting numbers of large mammalian wildlife present a physical continuum whose ecological implications for rivers is not clearly understood. Here, we studied the influence of replacing large wildlife (mainly hippos) with livestock on the fractional contribution of C3 vegetation, C4 grasses and periphyton on macroinvertebrates in the Mara River, which is an African montane-savanna river known to receive large subsidy fluxes of terrestrial organic matter and nutrients mediated by large mammalian herbivores (LMH), both wildlife and livestock, in its middle and lower reaches. Using stable carbon (δ13C) and nitrogen (δ15N) isotopes, we identified spatial patterns in the fractional contribution of allochthonous organic matter from C3 and C4 plants (woody vegetation and grasses, respectively) and autochthonous energy from periphyton for macroinvertebrates at various sites of the Mara River and its tributaries. Potential energy sources and invertebrates were sampled at 80 sites spanning stream orders 1 to 7, various catchment land uses (forest, agriculture and grasslands) and different loading rates of organic matter and nutrients by LMH (livestock and wildlife, i.e., hippopotamus). The fractional contribution of different sources of energy for macroinvertebrates along the river did not follow predictions of the RCC and RPM. First, the fractional contribution of C3 and C4 carbon was not related to river order or location along the fluvial continuum but to the loading of organic matter (dung) by both wildlife and livestock. Notably, C4 carbon was important for macroinvertebrates even in large river sections inhabited by hippos. Second, even in small 1st -3rd order forested streams, periphyton was a major source of energy for macroinvertebrates, and this was fostered by livestock inputs fuelling aquatic primary production throughout the river network. Importantly, our results show that replacing wildlife (hippos) with livestock shifts river systems towards greater reliance on autochthonous sources of energy through an algae-grazer pathway as opposed to reliance on allochthonous inputs of C4 carbon through a detrital pathway.

Spatio-temporal distribution of subsidy on major livestock inputs and services in India

We estimate the subsidies on the major inputs and services to the livestock sector in India. The livestock subsidy increased at 7% per annum from 2006 to 2017. Of the total livestock subsidy, veterinary and health services accounted for 75%, and livestock insurance the least, although it grew at a high rate. We also construct an agricultural development index. The rank correlation between the livestock subsidy and the index shows that the allocation of subsidy is higher to states that rank low on the index, as it should be, because less developed regions need more support for growth and development.

An assessment on inclusion of private input dealers in the public extension services delivery system

The present study was attempted to subjectively assess the amenability & readiness of private input dealers in deliverance of dairy and other livestock extension services. “Q Methodology” was the technique adopted and the method was carried out in the selected Kancheepuram and Villupuram districts of Tamil Nadu state involving 26 identified input dealers, handling dairy and other livestock input items. The attentiveness of the respondents towards their inclusion in the public extension services system’, were estimated subjectively with the help of attitude statements. Principle Component Analysis (PCA) method of statistical estimation was done and the categorized statements were clubbed into four identified discourses based on the obtained Eigen values. Q methodology – subjectivity analysis classified on four defined discourses viz., “Risks and opportunities in the endeavor”, “Socio-economic empowerment in the undertaking”, “Elements of collaboration in the endeavor” and “Possible refraining behavior / escapism in the process”; in a nutshell had cued positive agreement of input dealers to the statements supporting to their inclusion in public extension service stream.

Access to markets, weather risk, and livestock production decisions: Evidence from Ethiopia

AbstractDespite several studies showing the effect of access to markets and weather conditions on crop production, we know quite little on whether and how livestock production systems respond to variation in weather risk and access to markets. In this paper, we study whether and how livestock production responds to (access to) markets and varying weather risk. We also explore whether such responses vary across livelihood zones and livestock production systems. We study these research questions using households’ livestock production, ownership, and marketing decisions of households in Ethiopia. We find that households living close to markets are more likely to engage in market‐oriented livestock production and use modern livestock inputs. We also find that households exposed to more unpredictable weather are less likely to engage in livestock production for markets, rather they are more likely to engage in livestock production for precautionary savings and insurance. Furthermore, greater rainfall uncertainty influences livestock portfolio allocation toward those which can be easily liquidated while also discouraging investment in modern livestock inputs. However, these responses and patterns vary across livelihood zones and production systems; most of these stylized responses and impacts are more pronounced and significant in the arid and semi‐arid lands of Ethiopia, where livestock herding remains a dominant source of livelihood. Those households relying only on livestock production seem more sensitive and responsive to weather risk and weather shocks. The heterogeneity in responses and impacts of weather risk among farming systems and livelihoods highlights the need for more tailored livestock sector policies and interventions.

Livestock Complements Livelihoods of Highway Builders in Bhutan

ABSTRACTA questionnaire survey was conducted with the objective to understand the off-road activities of roadworkers in Bhutan and their preferences for activities, including their aspirations for the future. Seven administrative districts were selected to represent different regions of Bhutan, where roadworkers reside in large numbers. The districts were Chukha and Wangdue in the western region; Sarpang, Zhemgang, and Trongsa in the central region; and Mongar and Samdrup Jongkhar in the eastern region. A questionnaire survey was administered through face-to-face interviews. Sixty roadworkers were selected through random sampling. Over 80% of respondents were in the age group of 26–54 years old, and the majority were women. Roadwork was the most preferred source of income, followed by livestock raising and house construction. About three-quarters of respondents raised livestock and over a quarter did not. Livestock species raised were goats, poultry birds, cattle, and pigs. Those who also raised combined two or more species of livestock. Roadworkers preferred goats and poultry over other livestock species. A majority of respondents were in favor of livestock species that were easy to manage with less demand on feed and forage. The common source of livestock inputs was local communities, and only a few roadworkers sourced inputs from government agencies. Most respondents expressed their interest to take up farming in the future, with a greater interest toward becoming livestock farmers. Respondents mentioned livestock inputs as the much-needed support from the government. Respondents also anticipated farm credit support for purchasing inputs. They expected the government to support them with land, which is a basic necessity for agriculture.

Impact of Gender Difference on Crop Productivity: Cross-sectional Data

The study examined impact of gender difference on Crop productivity in Decha woreda of south west Kafa zone, located at 23 Km from Bonga Town, and 473 km south west of Addis Ababa. The specific objectives were to assess the extent to which the agricultural production system is gender oriented; to examine access and control over productive resources; and to examine which households are disadvantageous in control over productive resources. Cross-sectional data collected from a total of 140 respondents were used in this study whereby 65 were female headed and 75 were male headed households. The data were analyzed by using Statistical Package for Social Science (SPSS). Descriptive statistics such as frequency, mean, percentage, pie chart, bar graph, t-test and chi-square were used to summarize and compare the information between the two groups. Moreover, Cobb-Douglas (CD) production function was used to estimate the productivity difference in agriculture between male and female headed households. Results of the study showed that male headed households (MHH) own more of productive resources such as land, livestock, labor and other agricultural inputs as compared to female headed households (FHH). Moreover, the estimate of CD production function shows that livestock, herbicide use, land size and male labor were statistically significant for MHH while livestock, land size, herbicides use and female labor were significant variables for FHH. However, if FHH had equal access to the inputs as MHH, gross value of the output would be higher by 23.58% for FHH. This may suggest that FHH would be more productive than MHH if they had equal access to inputs as MHH. Additionally, accessing of FHH inputs that increase the productivity of agriculture such as herbicides, livestock and male labor; increasing the productivity of land; and introducing technologies that reduce the time and energy of women especially for enset processing. Keywords: Gender, Crop, Productivity, Efficiency DOI: 10.7176/JBAH/9-24-01 Publication date: December 31st 2019

Investigating Factors Affecting Import Demand of Meat and Livestock Inputs in Iran

Introduction Despite the relative advantage of producing some agricultural products, Iran is one of the largest importers of agricultural sector, so the total agricultural imports in 2016 were about 8.78 billion dollars. One of the most imported products is red meat and livestock inputs. Animal corn is the first imported product of Iran and is one of the most important livestock feed. Due to the low level of domestic production of animal corn, large quantity of it is imported every year. Soybean meal is also the fourth-largest imported agricultural product and the seventh product of the country's import. High dependence on the import of red meat and livestock inputs and the lack of domestic production of these products in Iran have caused any change in import policy of these products will affect the welfare of many producers and consumers. Due to the close relationship between import of these products and food security and the welfare of the society, recognizing the factors affecting the import demand of these products is important to proper policy making in livestock sector. In fact, the import demand function in developing economies should be investigated because it has significant effects on the international trade policy in general and the exchange rate policy in particular. Materials and Methods In this study, contrary to previous studies which considered only a few factors, it was investigated the effects of tariff rate, GDP, real effective exchange rate, domestic production and relative price of imported products on the import demand of veal, lamb, chicken, animal corn and soybean meal. Due to correlation between the disturbance term in different equations, it was used the simultaneous equations method and also it was used imperfect substitution approach to derive import demand function. For this purpose, monthly data from April 2010 to March of 2016 has been used. To determine the appropriate estimator, Hegy test and diagonal disturbance covariance matrix test was used. In order to investigate co-integration, the Johansen-Juselius test was used for each import demand equation. Additionally, it was used Engle ARCH LM heteroscedasticity test and Harvey LM autocorrelation test for all equations. Results showed that there is no heteroscedasticity and autocorrelation in the system. Results and Discussion Based on results there was a long run relationship between variables in veal, lamb, chicken, animal corn and soybean meal equation. Results showed that all the variables in the import demand equations including veal, lamb, animal corn and soybean meal has been expected signs. Also results showed that in the equation of veal import demand, the coefficients of tariff rate and relative price was negative and significant. In the equation of lamb import demand, the coefficient of domestic production of veal was negative and significant. Moreover, in the equation of animal corn import demand, the coefficients of tariff rate and real effective exchange rate were negative and significant. Eventually in the equation of soybean meal import demand, the coefficients of tariff rate, real effective exchange rate and relative price were negative and significant. Therefore, it can be noted that due to high dependence on imports of livestock inputs, especially animal corn and soybean meal, it is decided every year to import these inputs only basis of factors such as tariff rate, real effective exchange rate and relative price. Suggestion Based on results which showed that tariff rate has significant effect on the import demand of veal, animal corn and soybean meal, it is helpful to use this tool to control the import quantity of veal, animal corn and soybean meal, whereas changing tariff rate to control the import quantity of lamb do not have much effect. Also, it was found that the import demand for livestock inputs was highly elastic to change in real effective exchange rate. So, it is necessary to prevent unreasonable increase in exchange rate and its fluctuations. Since, it was found that the lamb import demand was highly elastic to domestic production, it is recommended to adopt policies to increase production of lamb through the provision of livestock inputs required by producers. JEL Classification: F12, F31, F41

The Impact of Vertical Integration Intensity on Broiler Farms Technical Efficiency: The Case of Contract Farming in West Sumatera

Contractual arrangements of different types have increasingly found in West Sumatera not only in subsistence and commercial crops but particularly also in livestock sector. Contract farming in livestock agribusiness is generally defined as broiler farms under an agreement between farmers and a livestock inputs supplier. Within this broad definition, there are different variants of contracts depending on the formality and intensity of contractual arrangement. This study objective was to prove that the design of a contract, as representation of vertical integration intensity in broiler agribusiness, has different efficiency effects on production. The stochastic frontier production function was used in this study, and employed a regression method to estimate the level of technical efficiency. Data were collected from 87 broiler fattening farms consisted of 50 broiler fattening farms under formal contractual system and 37 broiler fattening farms under informal contractual system. The results showed that farm experience and improvement of the contract system would reduce the level of technical inefficiency of broiler farms. The study concluded that broiler farms under formal and detail contract farming had greater technical efficiencies compared to broiler farms under informal unwritten contract arrangement. However, the broiler farms under informal contract obtained higher net returns compared to the broiler farms under formal contract arrangement.

Smallholder Farmers Spend Credit Primarily on Food: Gender Differences and Food Security Implications in a Changing Climate

In many low-income nations agriculture is used as the primary source of income, which in the face of a changing climate, is known to be at considerable risk for the smallholder farmers that rely on it. Financial resources may enable smallholder farmers to implement adaptation practices and diversify income and investments, which has the potential to affect household income and food security. Here we explore relationships between access to different types of financial resources among male and female-headed households and women versus men, use of financial resources, and its relationship to food security. We use data from the CGIAR Climate Change, Agriculture, and Food Security (CCAFS) program from four sites including Nyando (Western Kenya) and Wote (Eastern Kenya), Rakai (Uganda) and Kaffrine (Senegal), to represent major farming systems and agro-ecological zones across Africa. We find that male and female-headed households do not attempt to borrow financial resources in significantly different quantities; however, female-headed households are likely to have access to financial resources if they wanted them. We find that men and male-headed households are more likely to access formal loans. As well, we find that male and female-headed households spend their financial resources differently with female-headed households most likely to use their credit for food, medical expenses and education and male-headed households most likely to use it on food, agriculture/ livestock inputs and education. Formals loans were more frequently associated with credit spent on agriculture/livestock inputs while informal loans were more likely to be utilized for buying food and medical care. We find that all households and sexes that attempted to borrow money were less likely to borrow food and other goods, but that female-headed households were more than twice as likely to borrow food overall. These results add nuance to the relationship of financial resources to food security, suggesting that for many smallholders, especially women, credit is often used to obtain food and other health outcomes as compared to on-farm investment. The use of financial resources for these varying purposes likely has different short-term versus long-term returns and tradeoffs, which could influence smallholder farmer capacity for climate change adaptation.

The “one health”-concept and organic production of vegetables and fruits

Although the organic production concept is characterised by an efficient and environmentally sound production that is based on a few off-farm inputs as well as recycling organically grown products. Organic products are often perceived as safer and more promotive to consumers' health as compared to products from conventional or integrated production systems. However, from a hygienic point of view, animal husbandry and plant crop production can share a larger contact interface in organic farming than in conventional or integrated production systems due to a higher usage of animal waste products and composts which are mainly used for soil health and fertility purposes. Furthermore, animals may also play an integral part in crop rotation/management (i.e., pasture) in organic horticulture. However, there are also organic systems which exclude any livestock inputs (vegan organic). This paper assesses the organic production of fruits and vegetables in light of the “one health”-concept. The “one health”-concept encompasses human medicine, veterinary medicine and husbandry science with zoonoses as the linking element. However, this concept does not consider plant foods as a potential health hazard. In light of the “one health”-concept, the organic production of fruits and vegetables, in particular for products that are consumed raw or after minimal processing, is a hotspot for the transmission of fecal pathogens and completes the pathogens' transmission cycle between animals and humans and/or humans and humans. This review focuses on four critical routes of transmission (i) soil and soil fertility management, ii) irrigation water, iii) presence of livestock and wildlife, iv) humans) and discusses the measures (risk assessment, hurdle concept, guidelines and risk based inspection regimes) to be taken for the organic (and conventional with livestock inputs) production of safe fruits and vegetables. We concluded that a mixture of measures is available to manage risks within the “one health”-concept and this includes a choice for consumers to source more vegan organic products that are produced without any animal inputs.

Spillovers from off-farm self-employment opportunities in rural Niger

Low-skilled off-farm self-employment is the most accessible opportunity for households in rural Niger looking to diversify their income sources. This raises the question of whether promoting the non-farm sector is detrimental to the performance of the farm sector. Unfortunately, the evidence base in West Africa and the Sahel for this important policy question is thin. In this paper we identify the covariates of the farm households’ decision to participate in off-farm self-employment in rural Niger. We estimate the effect of that decision on farm activity investment. We find that participating in off-farm self-employment is highly correlated with farm and non-farm factors. Participation in off-farm self-employment is linked to increased agricultural spending on crop and livestock inputs, but a lower propensity to hire labour. Our results suggest that policies to promote the non-farm sector can support the development of the agricultural sector in rural Niger.

Privatisation of agricultural advisory services and consequences for the dairy farmers in the Mantaro Valley, Peru

ABSTRACTPurpose: The private sector’s presence in agricultural advisory services worldwide has been on the increase for over three decades. This trend has also been observed in the Mantaro Valley (Peru), in a context of dairy family farming. The objective of the article is to analyse the modalities of advisory services privatisation and assess the consequences of this privatisation for the farmers and their livestock systems.Design/methodology/approach: Data were collected through input suppliers, different types of advisers and producers interviews.Findings: The activity of private advisers is most often associated with the sale of livestock inputs which leads to an increase of production costs and does not take the overall producer needs into account. However, in line with the development of mobile phones, private advisory services are facilitating access to technical support for almost all producers. Public advisory services are less active and still focus on the use of inputs without adapting their services to the evolution of the advisory system.Theoretical implications: The study adds insights regarding the consequences of privatisation of advisory services for small farmers. It shows that inclusion is not always the main concern. The influence on the use of chemical inputs may be more important and may lead to both environmental and economic concerns.Practical implications: This study shows the importance of both improving and regulating the private advisory services and strengthening the coordination of advisory activities between public and private actors for an efficient agricultural advisory system.Originality/value: This study brings new insights regarding the development of private advisory services supported by input suppliers and devoted to small family farms.

Potentials and Constraints of Small-Scale Livestock Productions in Cambodia

Livestock husbandry plays a very important role in rural areas of Cambodia. Farmers mostly have complained about the declining revenue from livestock production which supports their livelihood. Therefore, the study aimed at investigating the potentials and constraints of smallholder livestock productions in Battambang province. Primary and secondary data were collected to meet the objectives. Data were collected interviewing 204 households. Some of the advantages of the Cambodia livestock subsector are the increasing market demand: increasing domestic market for livestock and increasing demand from neighboring countries (especially cattle); the rich source of manure and other agricultural input such as transportation means, ploughing etc. More so, there is high expectation of the farmers experiencing increase in production since more supports are provided by both governmental and non-governmental organizations. On the other hand, the subsector witnesses some constraints including the low level of education of the livestock farmers, erratic market prices as a result of too many middlemen, local breed with low productivity and traditional management system still dominates the sub- sector. Scarcity of abled labor and seasonal cost is also one of the factors impeding the subsector to reaching it potential. This study suggests that to reach full potential in the livestock sector of Battambang of Cambodia, the government needs to address the infrastructural problems and private sector needs to be encouraged to invest in the sector in livestock input industries.

Livestock Husbandry and Smallholder Response to Shocks in Southern Zambia

This study aims to provide information on smallholder farmer access to livestock inputs and services and their husbandry practices in normal and shock years. A combination of qualitative techniques (community mapping with cards; scoring; etc) and a set of carefully designed semi-structured questionnaires were used to elicit information about the underlying livelihoods. The survey areas were purposively selected bearing in mind the geographical variations in levels of vulnerability and the intra-district variations in production potential and market access. Inter-household variations within each sampled community were taken care of by categorizing the households into three poverty groups (non-poor, poor and extremely poor) and implementing a sampling strategy that ensured adequate representation of each. The results suggest a strong need to improve not only public service delivery to the livestock sector but also to devise a multi-faceted system for enhancing productivity and market participation. This is especially critical during shock times.

Agriculture, Climate Change and Food Security

Agriculture is one of the main economic activities in the world, with its significance magnified especially among the world’s poor. This paper seeks to explore how climate change would impact on the agricultural sector and consequently food security. Agricultural activities in most developing countries entirely depend on rainfall patterns, on the contrary, climate change has emerging as an environmental challenge with adverse impacts expected on food security. This is mainly through incidences of changes in water availability, floods and drought. For example, changes in temperature and precipitation including drought affects crop and livestock yield, hydrologic balances, input supplies and other components of agricultural systems. Equally important, environmental degradation is one of the drivers of climate change that further undermines sustainability of agriculture. Climate change is real and already taking place. According to the inter-governmental panel on climate change (IPCC), warming temperatures are projected to cause more frequent and more intense extreme weather events such as heavy rain storms, flooding and tropical storms and in some cases drought in many parts of the country. Agriculture is one of the most climate sensitive sectors, with projections that 800 million people are currently food insecure. Additionally, it has the potential to undermine advances in poverty reduction and sustainable development. Thus, fundamental changes in agricultural systems are needed because climate change poses new and serious challenges for farmers hence food insecurity. Most important, agricultural adaptation and mitigation pathways need to be developed so as to avoid further threat on food security.

Capability and limitations of a simple grid-based model for simulating land use influences on stream nitrate concentrations

Catchment scale nitrogen models are valuable tools for exploring how stream water quality is likely to be influenced by future changes in climate and land use. Many nitrogen modelling systems are highly complex and include too many calibration parameters to be confident in how these would be affected by changes in the catchment structure or meteorological drivers. This paper examines how successfully a simplified model of nitrogen budgets, linked to a hydrological model, can be used to represent the variability in stream nitrate responses resulting from different land uses. The model has been tested in a small (71km2) transitional agricultural catchment in north east Scotland using a suite of time-series data from 15 different sites across the catchment in addition to the key mainstream monitoring points. Results from the model application indicate that the model can successfully simulate the difference between the key land use types of arable crops, improved grassland, rough grassland and forestry, at spatial scales of 6km2 or greater. Larger errors in simulation of stream nitrate for some smaller sub-catchments are believed to be linked to the limitations of the model in representing some aspects of agricultural management, especially related to livestock inputs to the system.

Strengthening Bilateral Trade Relations between India And Iran: Opportunities in Livestock Sector

Livestock sector is an important component of the both, Indian and Iranian economy. Due to highly protected livestock markets in the developed countries and rapidly increasing demand for livestock products and inputs in Asian countries, these nations are preferred destinations of livestock products’ trade. This study identifies the potential livestock products and inputs based on Iranian and Indian trade data. The potential of Indian exports to Iran lies in the meat of bovine animals, especially frozen and boneless and also fresh and chilled boneless meat, skimmed milk powder, butter and fat-based products, bird's egg in shell, carded or combed fine animal hair, combed wool in fragments and wool tops, and vaccines for veterinary medicine. The Iranian exports to India can be enhanced in raw skins of sheep or lamb with or without wool on, tanned or crust hides and skins of bovine or equine animals, in wet or dry state, tanned or crust hides and skins of sheep and lambs without wool in wet or dry state, greasy wool and degreased wool not carded or combed.