Mountain Agriculture Research Articles

Rotational pasture management to increase the sustainability of mountain livestock farms in the Alpine region

Over the past 30 years, farming in the Alpine region has undergone important changes: the average number of animals per farm and the use of external inputs have increased while the diversity of farming practices has decreased, becoming similar to intensive farming. This change has led to a reduction in the supply of agroecosystem services and the sustainability of the mountain livestock sector. In this study, we investigated rotational grazing as alternative to continuous grazing to improve the sustainability of mountain farming practices. Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions such as carbon dioxide, methane and nitrous oxide were measured together with soil properties (bulk density, saturated hydraulic conductivity, organic carbon content and plant biomass) for two grazing seasons using static chambers. The results showed that rotational grazing had a positive impact on plant biomass: minimize soil disturbance, reduce compaction and GHG emissions of the soil and increase water infiltration. Therefore, this practice has revealed clear benefits in terms of soil protection and climate change mitigation and adaptation.

Potato farming in Southwestern Colombia: Types of farmers, technical efficiency and recommendations for the sector’s strengthening

Potato is a traditional and economically important crop for farmers in the high mountains of Nariño (Colombia). However, its productivity growth is weakening, injuring farmers’ livelihoods. We hypothesize that an in-depth study of farm typologies and their relationship with productive efficiency could prove helpful in delivering recommendations for sector improvement. With a representative sample of 1,018 farmers, this research used cluster methods to identify representative types of farming and then a stochastic frontier model to build a measure of potato production efficiency. Finally, it analyzed how technical efficiency behaves across the calculated types of farming. Results suggested that four kinds of farming describe potato production in Nariño: micro, small, medium, and large-scale. Most farmers are of the micro (71.8 %) and small scale (23.8 %), and their conditions are unfavorable in terms of access to technical assistance, credit, and improved production practices. Although these farmers report an average efficiency of 79 % and 85 %, respectively, there is still an opportunity for improvement. We close with a brief discussion that focuses on suggestions for future policy or research advances around these farmers.

Locomotion behavior of dairy cows on traditional summer mountain farms in comparison with modern cubiclehousing without access to pasture.

Pasture based systems enable cattle to express their natural behavior and are thus expected to provide better welfare than the majority of confinement systems. The aim of this study was to objectively measure locomotion activity of healthy dairy cattle kept on mountain pastures (n = 44) compared with cows kept in cubicle housing systems (n = 38). Selected cows were equipped with a validated 3D-accelerometer on one hind limb, and locomotion behavior was recorded for 48 hours. The 1-hour summaries of the variables lying time, walking time, standing bouts, walking bouts and number of strides were summed up to 24-hour summaries, and the means of the stride distance and stride duration were weighted by the variable number of strides. Mountain pasture cows had higher locomotor activity levels in comparison to cubicle cows. Mountain pasture cows spent less time lying down (528.1±109.5 min/day vs. 693.3±73.8 min/day; P<0.0001) and more time walking (75.6±25.9 min/day vs. 38.8±15.8 min/day; P <0.0001) than cubicle cows. Lying bout duration was longer in cubicle than in mountain pasture cows (90.9± 15.2 min/bout vs. 74.2 ± 21.1 min/bout; P = 0.0001), whilst the number of walking bouts was higher in mountain pasture cows than cubicle cows (199.1 ± 49.1 vs. 123.8 ± 43.8 bouts per day; P < 0.001). Likewise, the number of strides was higher in mountain pasture cows than cubicle cows (2040.5 ± 825.3 vs. 916.7 ± 408.6; P < 0.001). Mountain pasture cows had shorter stride duration (P < 0.0001) and shorter strides (P = 0.0002) than cubicle cows (1.8 ± 0.1 s/stride vs 2 ± 0.2 s/stride and 126.3 ± 18.1 vs 142.1 ± 17.8 m/stride, respectively). In summary, cows kept on mountain pasture were more active and spent longer than 12 hours / day standing. Lying markedly less than 12 hours per day seems to represent the normal behavior of pastured cows searching for fresh grass. This does not cause any obvious damage to the locomotor system as claws of cattle are well adapted to long periods of movement on mountain pastures.

MAPPING APPLE TREES FUTURE LAND USE POTENTIAL AS A MEANS OF CLIMATE CHANGE ADAPTATION IN EAST-MEDITERRANEAN MOUNTAINS: MOUNT-LEBANON

Agricultural zonal migrations and altitudinal shifts of high chill requirements fruit trees such as apple trees is considered a way of adaptation to climate change in mountain agriculture. This study examines near and far future options (2050-2070) of this local adaptation method in four village clusters in Mount-Lebanon, involving the expansion of agricultural lands to suitable regions under different degrees of climate change scenarios of temperature increase and precipitations regime fluctuation. A Geographic Information System (GIS) mapping calculation model was established for agricultural land evaluation which aims to locate spaces where the agriculture development indicators such as soil type, slope, future temperatures, and future precipitations will be suitable for cultivation under different climate change scenarios and models. The model does not seek the exact delineation of plots as much as the location of areas with a trend of agricultural relevance in the next 30 to 50 years. This classification is a tool to help Mount-Lebanon farmers and apple growers in adapting locally to climate change by choosing the best future spots to migrate their crops to. Results showed that most lands in which agricultural development is viable, are already in use for apple production (mainly) in the 4 clusters, leaving small parcels of land with variable agro-potentials to be developed in the future under favorable climate conditions. The agriculture potential of plots of altitude exceeding 2000 meters is to be validated in the studied area, especially since the climatic and irrigation conditions of there can present serious challenges.

Determination of Mehlich 3 Extractable Elements with Visible and Near Infrared Spectroscopy in a Mountainous Agricultural Land, the Caucasus Mountains

Soil spectroscopy is a promising alternative to evaluate and monitor soil and water quality, particularly in mountainous agricultural lands characterized by intense degradation and limited soil tests reports; a few studies have evaluated the feasibility of VIS-NIR spectroscopy to predict Mehlich 3 (M3) extractable nutrients. This study aimed to (i) examine the potential of VIS-NIR spectroscopy in combination with partial least squares regression to predict M3-extractable elements (Ca, K, Mg, P, Fe, Cd, Cu, Mn, Pb, and Zn) and basic soil properties (clay, silt, sand, CaCO3, pH, and soil organic carbon-SOC), (ii) find optimal pre-processing techniques, and (iii) determine primary prediction mechanisms for spectrally featureless soil properties. Topsoil samples were collected from a representative area (114 samples from 525 ha) located in the mountainous region of NW Azerbaijan. A series of pre-processing steps and transformations were applied to the spectral data, and the models were calibrated and evaluated based on the coefficient of determination (R2), root mean square error (RMSE), and the residual prediction deviation (RPD). The leave-one-out cross-validated predictions showed that the first derivative spectra produce higher prediction accuracies (R2 = 0.51–0.91; RPD = 1.20–2.29) for most soil properties. The evaluation of the model performance with optimal pre-processing techniques revealed that both calibration and validation models produce considerable differences in RPD values associated with sample size and the random partition of the calibration or validation subsets. The prediction models were excellent or very good (RPD &gt; 2.0) for CaCO3, SOC, sand, silt, Ca, and Pb, good or fair (1.4 &lt; RPD &lt; 2.0) for clay, K, Cd, pH, Fe, Mn, and Cu, and poor (1.0 &lt; RPD &lt; 1.4) for Mg, P, and Zn. Principal component and correlation, stepwise regression analysis, and variable importance in projection procedures allowed to elucidate the underlying prediction mechanisms. Unlike the previous studies, the spectral estimations of pH, Ca, Mg, P, Fe, Pb, and Cd concentrations were linked to their correlation with CaCO3 rather than soil organic matter, whereas Mg and P concentrations were also connected to Fe-oxides. Soil particle sizes contributed to predicting K concentration but confounded the prediction of P and Zn concentration. The weaker correlations of Mn, Cu or Zn with CaCO3, particle sizes, SOC, Fe, and spectral data yielded to their lower prediction accuracy. The major prediction mechanisms for M3-extractable elements relied on their relations with CaCO3, pH, clay content and mineralogy, and exchangeable cations in the context of their association with land use. The results can be used in mountain lands to evaluate and control the effect of management on soil quality indices and land degradation neutrality. Further studies are needed to develop most advantageous sampling schemes and modeling.

Characterization of Fat Quality in Cow Milk from Alpine Farms as Influenced by Seasonal Variations of Diets.

Simple SummaryMilk produced in Alpine farms under pasture- and-grass-based feeding systems is characterized by beneficial nutritional traits, which are linked to its high fat quality. In this study, milk samples collected in two alpine farms set in the Italian Piedmont region were analyzed together with samples of feedstuffs (pasture, fresh grass, concentrates and total mixed ration) furnished to cows during summer and winter, when the feeding strategy was modified. The results suggested a favorable fat composition of all samples analyzed, with some differences detected between the seasons and the farms. The milk obtained following a pasture- or fresh-grass-based feeding strategy (during summer) showed a higher fat quality, which was characterized by higher amounts of beneficial fatty acids. Particularly, a distinctive fat composition of milk samples coming from cows exclusively fed on pasture during the summer season was evidenced. The outcomes obtained in this study contributed toward evaluating and promoting alpine dairy products from the Alpine region as products associated with an added value, with beneficial effects for both producers and consumers.The production systems linked to mountain animal husbandry have had an environmental, social and cultural role in recent years. Zootechnical systems based on feeding strategies, such as pasture grazing and grass-fed strategies, contribute to a significant increase in the relative amounts of favorable fatty acids (FAs) in animal products, indicating their ability to improve the long-term health of consumers. In this study, we compared different feeding strategies in two small mountain farms in the Piedmont Alpine region, Italy. Particularly, during the summer season, the two farms were distinguished by the exclusive employment of Alpine pasture (farm A), assumed as the best way to improve the quality of the FA profile in milk vs. the supply of daily fresh cut mountain grass plus a reduced implementation with hay and concentrates directly in the barn (farm B). The milk fatty acid profile was analyzed using gas chromatography. The results showed the high quality of alpine milk collected in the two farms. Even with some differences, particularly evidenced when comparing the summer diets, the milk FA profiles in farm A and farm B were favorable from a nutritional point of view in both seasons. Milk samples obtained using the exclusive employment of alpine grazing during summer were represented by an FA profile of higher quality (lower saturated FAs, higher branched FAs and monounsaturated FA, favorable n6/n3 ratio). However, milk obtained using the integrated strategy (fresh grass plus concentrates in the barn farm B) resulted in a more homogenous composition during the summer season, with a higher concentration of polyunsaturated FAs. These outcomes suggested that the integrated strategy, even if related to a lower ability in improving milk FA profile, could represent a valid and cost-effective alternative for mountain farmers to obtain an overall superior quality of milk, which was not strictly linked to the grazing practice. The multivariate analysis showed that information contained in the milk FA profile may provide a valuable tool that can distinguish mountain-grass-based diet.

Empirical Evidence of the Livelihood Vulnerability to Climate Change Impacts: A Case of Potato-Based Mountain Farming Systems in Bhutan

Potato (Solanum tuberosum) is an indispensable commodity, mainly cultivated by high-altitude mountain households, that sustains and supports the livelihood of an overwhelming 51% of the Bhutanese population. The popularity of potato cultivation among Bhutanese farmers can be attributed to the crop’s adaptability to a wide range of agroclimatic conditions such as a rainfed crop, high productivity, an assured market, and a reliable source of income for the farming families. We hypothesize that the changing climate would make the livelihood associated with potato cultivation in Bhutan more vulnerable. We tested this hypothesis to identify the sources of vulnerability of smallholder farming households using the Livelihood Vulnerability Index (LVI) and LVI-IPCC (Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change) approaches in six potato growing districts of Bhutan: Bumthang, Chukha, Gasa, Mongar, Tashigang, and Wangdue. Primary data were generated through a semi structured sample survey of 240 households on the seven major livelihood components of sociodemographic profiles, livelihood strategies, social networks, health, food, water, natural disasters, and climate variability. The results showed that the LVI (range 0.302 to 0.375) and LVI-IPCC (range −0.005 to 0.030) differed significantly (p &lt; 0.001) across the districts. The districts of Tashigang and Mongar were less vulnerable than the other four districts by the LVI approach, whereas Bumthang was also revealed to be less vulnerable using the LVI-IPCC approach. The degree of vulnerability in a district differed according to their level of exposure and adaptive capacity to the climate change impacts of the potato farming household. The results are expected to serve as empirical evidence for designing a future course of actions to mitigate the negative impacts.

Utility of DNA barcoding for identification of common Vespa species (Hymenoptera: Vespidae) from Yunnan, China

AbstractAs traditional Chinese medicine and edible insects, Vespa hornets have high economic value and huge market demand. Hornet breeding has become an important way to increase the income of mountain farmers in China, but the limitation of traditional identification methods has become the bottleneck of the modern development of hornet resources. In this study, a simple and reliable method for the molecular identification of typical hornets from Yunnan was successfully established. In the NCBI database, DNA sequences of hornet samples were aligned as Vespa analis, Vespa basalis, Vespa velutina, Vespa mandarinia, Vespa magnifica, Vespa binghami, Vespa soror by BLAST search. The efficiency of the PCR amplification of mitochondrial cytochrome C oxidase I (COI) gene sequences in all samples was 100% by using the optimized program. Moreover, a reference database for DNA barcodes of Vespa materials in Yunnan was constructed. This study provided a successful example for the identification of local insects of Yunnan and will be helpful to the development of wasp resources.

Adoption of Recommended Beekeeping Practices in Kumaon Hills of Uttarakhand

Beekeeping in Uttarakhand is one of the oldest traditional practices followed both for the commercial purpose as well as the domestic use. It is an important supplementary income generating activity in the state. According to the experts, there is a need to adopt modern beekeeping practices by the traditional beekeepers in the state, especially in the areas like bee management, better extraction, honey storage and quality control. Honey bee farming is now a days becoming more popular due to its market demand in national as well as the international market. The farmers not only obtain economic benefits but beekeeping also helps the farmers increase the agricultural productivity through pollination. Uttarakhand has huge potential for beekeeping due to plenty of flora and suitability of climate but the farmers still depend on the traditional practices resulting in the low yield of honey produce both in terms of quality and quantity. Hence, there is a huge scope of adoption of advanced scientific practices in the state of Uttarakhand that can add to the farmers income in the state. ”Mountain farmers in Uttarakhand are facing extreme difficulties in meeting their basic needs because of meager opportunities to engage youth in respectable employment. The paper suggests that the Uttarakhand has tremendous scope for commercial beekeeping and use of bee for pollination of diversity agri-horticultural crops and wild flora. Also, the paper emphasizes on the constraints for beekeeping development and strategies for organic honey production in Mountain hill of Uttarakhand.

Calculation of regional agricultural production efficiency and empirical analysis of its influencing factors-based on DEA-CCR model and Tobit model

The improvement of agricultural production efficiency and the transformation of production mode are the core of promoting agricultural modernization. Taking Chongqing as a sample case, this paper uses DEA-CCR Model, Malmquist Index and Tobit Model to calculate and analyze its agricultural production efficiency and its influencing factors, and accurately identifies the problems existing in its agricultural transformation and development. It has an important policy reference value for improving agricultural innovation and competitiveness, promoting the steady development of rural revitalization, and realizing agricultural modernization, which also provides some reference and enlightenment for countries or regions with similar characteristics of mountain agriculture development in the world to enhance regional agricultural production efficiency. Through empirical analysis and investigation, it is found that the overall agricultural production efficiency of Chongqing remains at the productivity level of 0.8 from 2009 to 2018, with an average annual growth rate of 12.8%, but there is a large gap in the level of regional development. Through Malmquist Index decomposition, it is found that agricultural technology progress has the greatest contribution to the improvement of production efficiency. Financial support for agriculture, urbanization level, regional economic development level and highway mileage have a significant positive impact on production efficiency, while the level of farmers’ disposable income has a negative impact on the increase of production efficiency, and the income gap between urban and rural residents fails to pass the significance test.

Assessing preferences for mountain wine and viticulture by using a best-worst scaling approach: do mountains really matter for Italians?

European Commission has recently published the rules on the use of the quality term "mountain product". The new regulation aims to promote the sustainable development of mountain areas and to facilitate the identification of mountain products by consumers. Despite the importance of viticulture for several European mountain communities and the growing interest of European consumers in quality certified foods, the regulation did not encompass wines. The literature addresses many issues regarding wines and consumer preferences, but so far mountain wines are not specifically researched. With this study, we seek to fill this gap by analysing Italian consumers’ preferences for mountain wines as well as their opinion on the inclusion of this product in the mountain labelling scheme. To do so, this study applies a best-worst scaling model and subsequent latent class analysis. Data was collected through an online questionnaire applied to a consumer panel. The results indicate that most of respondents are in favour of applying the mountain label to wines. The three most preferred attributes are related to human health, ecological sustainability and product typicity. Most of the participants gave less importance to the attributes that characterize mountain agriculture. Only one consumer segment valued some of these. The findings suggest that the inclusion of mountain wines in the labelling scheme may increase the interest of Italian wine consumers, especially if health, sustainability and typicity are ensured by producers.

STATISTICAL ANALYSIS ON VALORIZATION THE ROMANIAN LIVESTOCK FROM THE MOUNTAIN REGIONS

The paper develops a descriptive analysis (ANOVA) and forecasting regarding cattle, sheep, goats and pigs in Romania. The data simulated in SPSS, taken from Eurostat, show that these numbers will continue to decrease considerably, both in the Bucharest-Ilfov region and in the Romanian mountain regions. The general situation of mountain agriculture shows similar trends to Romanian agriculture. At the national level, the arable surface has been reduced in stages in the last three decades, a decrease mainly due to the change of extensive agricultural methods (grazing, spontaneous flora) with intensive ones (stable, controlled flora). Following the national agricultural trend, mountain agriculture after 1990 changed its structure and dimensions (such as cattle, production and mountain producers, mountain entrepreneurship, etc.). Some aspects remained quantitatively unchanged, such as the large number of individual holdings and the high share of agricultural land use. In this context, public and private entities must act jointly for the valorization of mountain ecosystems by controlling the pollution caused by the numerous individual exploitations. The mountain ecosystems in the Romanian area influence the national agricultural productivity, valuing the mountain product at the highest levels. Whether it is alpine meadow ecosystems, including coniferous forests and interpenetration zones between high and mid-mountains, low-mountain ecosystems, or high- and mid-hill ecosystems, the ultimate goal of pollution reduction research and action must be the same, respectively protecting the mountain area.

Adaptability and stability of potato samples in the forest-steppe conditions of the Northern Caucasus

This work aimed to study the response of 10 potato varieties to changes in environmental conditions during the 2018-2020 growing season in the forest-steppe zone of the Republic of North Ossetia-Alania. Ecological adaptability, stability, and genetic flexibility were evaluated for 8 varieties and 2 hybrids of the North Caucasian Research Institute of Mountain and Piedmont Agriculture (SKNIIGPSKh) breeding. Analysis of variance revealed that the proportion of the influence of genotype (factor-variety) on the yield of the studied samples for three years of observation was 40%. The effect of weather conditions on the variability of potato productivity during the years of research was 42% and the effect of other factors was 18%. Complex evaluation of flexibility, stability, genetic flexibility was carried out according to the methods of S.A. Eberhart and W.A. Russell, A.A. Rosielle and J. Hamblin, V.V. Khangildin and N.A. Litvinenko. The calculated indices of flexibility, stability, homeostability, and genetic flexibility allowed us to identify a group of intensive varieties responding with increased yield under optimal conditions: Udacha, El Mundo, Hybrid 0.4.560/4. The second group included extensive varieties: Sambo, Primabel, hybrid 04.573/1. The hybrid 04.573/1 selected by SKNIIGPSKh is adapted to forest-steppe conditions, resistant to stress (Ymin-Ymax)=8, and shows genetic flexibility (Ymax+Ymin)/2=31.2. In the hot year of 2020, it gave the yield higher than all the studied samples (27.7t/ha). Hybrids o4.560/4 and 04/573/1 are being prepared for state variety testing.

AGREGATE FOR STRIP TILLAGE OF SLOPE SOILS

A combined plowing unit with energy-saving universal working parts has been proposed for mountain farming, in particular for strip tillage of slope soil which will reduce topsoil dusting and overgrowth of inner layers, will ensure the water resistance of the loosened strip, will reduce soil erosion along which the removal of useful organic residues and herbicides will be provided and will increase soil fertility and crop yields. The parameters of the placement of the working organs on the unit have been determined. The use of a combined aggregate also solves environmental problems related to water-wind erosion in the fields during crop cultivation.

Using the Ecosystem Services Concept to Assess Transformation of Agricultural Landscapes in the European Alps

Mountain farming sustains human well-being by providing various ecosystem services (ES). In the last decades, socio-economic developments have led to worldwide changes in land-use/cover (LULC), but the related effects on ES have not been fully explored. This study aimed at assessing the impacts of the transformation of agricultural land on ES in the European Alps. We mapped 19 ES within the agriculturally used areas in the year 2000 and analyzed LULC changes by 2018. We compared eight regions with a similar development, regarding social–ecological characteristics, to outline contrasting trends. Our results indicate that the ES decreased most strongly in regions with a massive abandonment of mountain grassland, while ES in the ‘traditional agricultural region’ remained the most stable. In regions with an intensification of agriculture, together with urban sprawl, ES had the lowest values. Across all regions, a shift from ES that are typically associated with mountain farming towards forest-related ES occurred, due to forest regrowth. By relating differing trends in ES to social–ecological developments, we can discuss our findings regarding new landscapes and farming systems across the European Alps. Our quantitative and spatially explicit findings provide a valuable basis for policy development, from the regional to the international/EU level, and for adopting sustainable management strategies.

POPULATION DYNAMICS OF DROSOPHYLA SUZUKII (MATSAMURA) IN SWEET AND SOUR CHERRY ORCHARDS IN THE CENTRAL BALKANS MOUNTAIN

The spotted wing drosophila (SWD) Drosophila suzukii, Matsumura is a polyphagous for many stone and soft fruits species. The pest was recorded in 2014 at sweet cherry orchards in our country and has become a real pest, because SWD attack the fruit when they start to ripe. During 2017-2019 the study was carried out in the Institute of Mountain Stockbreeding and Agriculture in Troyan – Central part of the Balkans Mountain. For monitoring were used traps with red wine and apple vinegar. The first flies at the sweet cherry were found during the second decade of May and in the sour cherry - a little later, at the beginning of June, when the fruit start to ripe. The peak of the population dynamics was established in the second half of June, after which the density began to decreasing. It was found that D. suzukii was preferred more the sweet cherry fruits than sour cherry fruits.

Příspěvek k salašnickému hospodaření na Moravském Valašsku. Ovčín na panské salaši jako zapomenutý objekt tradičního stavitelství na Moravě

Carpathian shepherding, i.e., seasonal mountain cattle farming is an inseparable part of life in the highland of eastern Moravia and Silesia, regardless of the debate as to its origins and extent. It is possible to observe not only the blending of what were essentially mountain practices with the domestic peasant tradition, but also the use of this method of farming across social groups. In one lithograph by the well-known Moravian painter and graphic artist František Kalivoda (1824–1859), in the sheep pasture above Rožnov pod Radhoštěm, there is an unusually large structure, which is presumed to be a sheepshed. This has not yet been reflected in the ethnography of these lands. The research, which was based primarily on archival, ethnological and archaeological research, complements the well-known but very fragmentary facts about mountain farming under manorial management and reconstructs the architectural form of the building and its functions.

Assessment of Local Adaptive Capacity of Mountain Farmers: A Way Forward for Sustainable Livelihood Development

This study aims to understand the perception of mountain farmers towards the local adaptive capacity at a household level in an agro-ecological landscape. An indicator-based assessment is conducted to examine the 6 determinants and 27 indicators to give a local adaptive capacity index of the villages around Govind Wildlife Sanctuary and National Park, located in the Indian Himalayan region. The findings indicate that, though the connected and isolated villages have a low and very low adaptive capacity, respectively, the effect of various determinants on the local people varies among the village settlements, based on their socio-economic capacity. Despite the government endeavours to build the livelihood of mountain farmers through different programmes and policies, it still lacks proactive decision-making. The study suggests for an integrated assessment and sustainable enhancement of the landscape as a whole, with a focus on community-level adaptation strategies. It draws attention to the need for enhanced collaboration between research institutions, government and private sectors with the mountain community in the centre.

Factors Affecting Farm Succession and Occupational Choices of Nominated Farm Successors in Gilgit-Baltistan, Pakistan

Mountain farming communities in Pakistan are exhibiting an increased rate of rural-to-urban migration and a rapid growth in the non-farm sector, which has threatened the sustenance of agricultural activity. This study examined the determinants of farm succession using a logit regression model and employed a multinomial logit regression model to study the factors influencing the future occupational choices of the potential farm successors. The study was based on quantitative survey data obtained from 421 farm managers and 155 potential farm successors and qualitative data from 12 key informants from two different districts in Gilgit-Baltistan. The survey results show that around 67% of the farmers had a potential successor. Farm succession was mainly explained by farmer characteristics (e.g., farmer age, gender and education), farm characteristics (e.g., farm size, specialization in horticulture, etc.) and agricultural income. Regarding the occupational choices, part-time farming (66%) was the most commonly reported choice. The results indicate that it was mainly farm successors’ personal characteristics (such as age, education and marital status) and agricultural income that led to the choices “undecided” and “exit”, whilst farm characteristics (e.g., farm size) and the main farm operators’ non-farm activity were significantly associated with the choice “part-time”. Policies aimed at improving the local income situation and investments in skill-building and infrastructure development can assist in farm sustenance.

Animal Welfare and Farmers' Satisfaction in Small-Scale Dairy Farms in the Eastern Alps: A "One Welfare" Approach.

The multidimensional concept of animal welfare includes physical health, good emotional state, and appropriate behavior of the animals. The most recent methods for its assessment are inspired by the Welfare Quality, a project compiling animal-, resource-, and management-based measures. Recently, animal welfare assessment has also considered the human factor in a so-called “One Welfare” approach. The One Welfare framework highlights the interconnections between animal welfare, human well-being, and the environment. The concept seems to fit particularly well to mountain areas where the relationship between human, animals, and the environment is stronger. In such disadvantaged areas, farmers' well-being plays a key role in maintaining livestock farming profitably and sustainably. This study aims to investigate the relationship between farmers' satisfaction, animal welfare outcomes, and overall farm performance in 69 small-scale dairy farms in the Eastern Alps. Animal welfare assessment consisted of animal-based measures and was performed using the methodology proposed by the European Food Safety Authority for this type of farm. Moreover, the farmers were interviewed to retrieve data on farm characteristics and on their level of satisfaction toward workload, land organization, relationship with the agricultural/non-agricultural community, and the future of local agriculture. The results show that good animal welfare can be obtained in a mountain farming system. Clinical indicators show a low prevalence of diseases and of very lean cows as opposed to integument alterations. The workload is not perceived as a problem in traditional farms (i.e., tie-stall and with no participation in quality-certification schemes). Animal welfare is higher in those farms where farmers have a positive engagement with both the agricultural and non-agricultural community and where farmers are satisfied with their land organization. A One Welfare approach could be applied on a larger scale to fully understand the links between animal and human well-being in mountain areas.