Romana Roschinsky

Crossbreeding of indigenous tropical and improved western dairy cattle breeds as tool to improve dairy cattle performance on smallholder farms has been widely advocated, criticised and yet applied. The government of Ethiopia supported this technology for decades but adoption rate is low. Constraints are documented but there is little information about farm level introduction and development of crossbreeding. A total 122 smallholders with mixed crop livestock farms and at least 8 years of successful crossbreeding were interviewed using a pre-tested questionnaire in two contexts in Amhara Regional state in north-western Ethiopia. Crossbreeding initiator was either uncoordinated government extension or a coordinated development project, also implemented with governmental support. Qualitative and quantitative data on farmers' motivations, crossbreeding introduction, initiator support, breeding adaptation and impacts at farm level were analysed. Results show that even though motives ...

The Bahima ethnic group have been crossbreeding autochthonous Ankole with Holstein-Friesian cattle. Separate herds (pure Ankole and crossbreds) are common. A survey was conducted to characterize pasture utilization and management in the Ankole region to gain a better understanding of current and emerging practices. Herds are largely grazed by continuous stocking although there are efforts to establish paddocks. Factors considered for pasture allocation to cattle genotypes were high-quality feed, limited shrubs/weeds and close proximity to homestead for 80, 80 and 30% of farmers, respectively. Cross-bred cattle were kept on medium/high-quality, and Ankole cattle on medium/low-quality pastures. Pastures for cross-bred cattle yielded 0.17 t ha-1 more dry matter than pastures allocated to Ankole cattle. Crude protein (CP) content of Ankole pasture was significantly (P < 0.05) lower than CP of cross-bred pasture (6.3% compared with 7.3%). Neutral detergent fibre content was similar (72.8% vs. 69.8%) for both pasture types. Farmers perceptions of indicator plant species were important for allocation of pasture. Hyparrhenia rufa, Brachiaria spp., Themeda triandra and Chloris gayana were identified as the preferred pasture species. Sporobolus pyramidalis and Cymbopogon afronardus were the most undesirable pasture species. Brachiaria spp. offers an opportunity for utilization as hay for dry season supplementation.

Which impact do NGO interventions have on women’s empowerment in rural Myanmar? Do women share knowledge they gain through project activities? Which factors contribute to the leadership of women? Which factors constitute discrimination against women?  Do NGOs contribute to a change in gender roles?
This presentation prepared for the ACIAR Gender Workshop held in Nay Pyi Taw, Myanmar on June 12th-13th 2018, highlights initial results of a research activity on women's empowerment conducted for the MyLife project. MyLife is funded by the Australian Centre for International Agricultural Research and led by Julian Prior of the University of New England.

In smallholder farming systems in developing countries like Nepal, goats play an important role by ensuring household food security and often being the only asset for poor families. A current challenge for smallholders in Nepal is climate change, resulting in varying monsoon patterns and increasing periods of droughts. Goats are very tolerant to drought or irregular access to water and survive by browsing woody plants. Therefore they are a possible element of climate change mitigation strategies. The aim of this study was to document and evaluate the goat feeding system on Nepalese smallholder farms in this context. 31 smallholder farmers participating in SAF- BIN project activities in Nepal were interviewed using a semi-structured questionnaire. Individual feeding calendars were generated and fodder samples collected. Quantitative and qualitative data was analysed using SAS software. Results show that goats are important in the present mixed farming systems. A wide range of fodder plants is available and farmers possess a comprehensive traditional knowledge on these plants. This makes it possible for most farmers to bridge the dry season well. An adequate amount of fodder in a good quality is very important to all farmers interviewed. Most farmers recognized a change of the available fodder plants during the last years which may be an effect of climate change. Seasonal aridity is increasing and growing periods are changing. Some farmers introduced new fodder plants supported by training and supplies from NGOs. This leads to the conclusion that goat feeding systems are changing and that goats may play an important role in the adaption process to climate change in rural areas of Nepal.

Climate change affects Nepal leaving smallholders with diverse challenges concerning their small, mixed farming system. Goats are an integral part of Nepalese smallholder farms providing income and nutritional security. Crossbreeding of local and exotic breeds is one solution to minimize negative climatic effects as crossbreds might be better adapted to new climatic conditions. The aim of this study was to assess current breeding strategies and the impact of crossbreeding at farm level within the context of climate change. In 31 semi-structured interviews with farmers from Pokhara, Nepal, quantitative and qualitative data was collected in 2014. Performance parameters of local and crossbred animals were estimated. Interviews with livestock experts completed the database. An analysis was conducted to assess if technical training had an impact on breeding and husbandry practices. Participating farmers own diverse farms with various agricultural activities. Goats are mainly used for meat production and manure is used for fertilizing crops. Technical training has a positive influence on selection of breeding bucks, inbreeding prevention, castration practice, feeding and husbandry practices. Farmers consider similar traits in local and crossbred goats, but consider physical characteristics of exotic breeds in the crossbreds. Some farmers value crossbred goats as possibility for adaption to climate change. Benefits of crossbreeding include higher income. Few farmers report challenges resulting from crossbreeding such as higher workload and higher need for veterinary treatment. Respondents stated that they want to continue crossbreeding in the future, introduce improved, exotic breeds, milk production and increase herd sizes.

In many tropical countries exotic, high yielding dairy cattle breeds have been introduced by crossbreeding them with local, well adapted breeds. This is done to quickly increase dairy production to satisfy growing market demand for dairy products. Bodies responsible for crossbreeding introduction advocate the genetic potential of crossbreds. Apart from productivity increase livelihood improvement of smallholders and increasing market participation are desired effects. Various challenges hinder a widespread adoption of crossbreeding and substantial changes of production systems have beneficial and detrimental effects. Success stories are rare. These facts question the sustainability of dairy cattle crossbreeding in the region. For this study empirical evidence has been collected from selected sites in Ethiopia, Uganda and India, where crossbreeding has been introduced. Interviews with 248 farmers using pre-tested questionnaires have been conducted in 2011 and 2012 and qualitative and quantitative data has been analysed using SAS software. We present three local contexts accommodating different production systems and intensity levels. We identify responsible drivers for the introduction of exotic genetics. These range from government extension and non-governmental organisations to progressive farmers. We discuss inherent challenges of introducing exotic dairy breeds and impacts of crossbreeding at farm level and farmers’ perceptions on selected productive and reproductive traits of local and crossbred cows. We introduce which management and breeding practice changes take place. Our findings contribute to the current debate on sustainability of crossbreeding dairy cattle in the tropics by adding a farm level perspective to the discourse.

Livelihoods of many resource-poor farmers in Ethiopia depend on livestock. The availability of productive breeds is a major development constraint. Crossbreeding of local, well adapted breeds with high-yielding dairy breeds from temperate zones is encouraged by the government to ensure productivity growth of the dairy sector within a short period of time. A slow up-take rate has been reported and a substantial information gap has been identified. The aim of the study is to create empirical knowledge on the development of crossbreeding by smallholder dairy cattle keepers in Amhara Region, Ethiopia. The results contribute insights necessary to ensure sustainability of crossbreeding programs for dairy cattle by means of analysing adoption, adaptation and farmers’ breeding experiments. Pretested, semi-structured questionnaires have been used to interview 62 farmers in 4 districts. Socioeconomic data has been collected to ascertain factors influencing change of production system s at farm level. Data on herd structure and history have been collected to depict the development of breeding over time. In addition, in-depth interviews were carried out with non-farming actors of the crossbreeding network. First results show that the provision of crossbred animals alone is not enough, but also training has to be provided to farmers to improve the herd management (feeding strategies, health interventions, housing). Farmers are only likely to adopt crossbreeding if there is a secure market for their products and if necessary production inputs are available. The access to AI service has been identified as one crucial, but often weak, point and therefore farmers seek alternative sources and use crossbred bulls from the vicinity. The highly unreliable support of extension services and veterinarians is also seen as a hampering factor to the adoption of crossbreeding.

Poster presented at the Conference: Festsymposium 140 Jahre Universität für Bodenkultur Wien. Quo vadis, Universitäten?,Vienna, 03/2012
Affiliation: University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences Vienna - Department of Sustainable Agricultural Systems - Division of Livestock Sciences, DOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.2450.9205

Abstract
Livelihoods of many resource-poor farmers in developing countries depend on livestock, especially dairy cattle (Delgado, 1999). The availability of productive breeds is a major constraint in sector development and its´ market orientation. Therefore crossbreeding of local, well adapted breeds with high-yielding dairy breeds from the temperate zone is encouraged by governments and institutions in numerous countries in the tropics to ensure productivity growth of the livestock sector within a short period of time. Nevertheless, a slow up-take rate by farmers has been reported and a substantial information gap about reasons, why adoption of crossbreeding is in such slow progress has been identified (Abdulai and Huffman, 2005).
The aim of this PhD research project conducted by the Divison of Livestock Science is to look at crossbreeding as an innovation and to create empirical knowledge on the development of crossbreeding by smallholder dairy cattle keepers in the tropics. For this reason specific questions are addressed by the project. What are major drivers in genetic improvement of dairy cattle? What kinds of actor configurations facilitate the innovation process and enhance ability of the system to respond to changing contexts/external drivers? What factors influence the actor alignment process? What are the organisational and institutional innovations and enabling environments that would facilitate development of cost-effective delivery mechanisms and are accessible and affordable to the poor? Which successive innovations take place? This study is carried out in Uganda, Ethiopia and India, where crossbreeding has been introduced by different stakeholders. In Uganda crossbreeding is farmer-driven, whereas in Ethiopia it has been promoted by the regional government and in one province of India a non-governmental organisation has started a crossbreeding program. The approach chosen makes sure to assess crossbreeding in different smallholder dairy production systems. A combination of methods is used to capture and analyse data. Methods such as focus group discussions, social network analysis and the four elements framework of the World Bank on innovation studies are combined. Data collection has already been completed in Ethiopia and Uganda. After data collection and a first analysis of the findings a feedback loop in all study sites is planned. This allows a validation of data and cross-checking of information. This project contributes knowledge necessary to ensure sustainability of crossbreeding programs for dairy cattle in the tropics by means of analysing adoption, adaptation, farmers’ breeding experiments and subsequent innovations.

This booklet compiles summaries of all research theses completed within the Strengthening Adaptive Farming in Bangladesh, India and Nepal project. A research and development project funded by the European Union and imppemented by Caritas Austria, Caritas Bangladesh, Caritas India, Caritas Nepal and the University of Natural Resources and Life Sciences, Vienna.
Full summaries illustrate the research theses finalized within the project duration and the annex gives an overview about theses in process and other research activities. The broad thematic orientation and methodological diversity illustrate very well how complex the uniting topic of adaptation to climate change really is and the results offer valuable insights for future initiatives

The booklet is a compilation of selected practices and innovations applied by smallholder famers to adapt to the local agricultural challenges caused by climate change. These practices and innovations were collected, and also developed during the EU-funded 'Strengthening Adaptive Farming in Bangladesh, India ande Nepal' (SAF-BIN) project and can be divided in three categories: (1) good agricultural practices, (2) technical innovation and (3) institutional innovation. Table 1 gives an overview of the selected practices and innovations

In India, Bangladesh and Nepal 70 % of farms are less than 2 ha in size. These subsistence oriented, rain-fed farming systems are highly vulnerable to climate variability. Climate change challenges local food and nutritional security. Adaptation is the key to address these vulnerabilities. Agricultural research and extension systems in the region ignore traditional food systems and culturally accepted food baskets. The EU funded project “Strengthening Adaptive Farming in Bangladesh, India and Nepal (SAF-BIN)”, implemented by Caritas organisa- tions, is building resilience to climate change through strengthening adaptive small scale farming systems in rain-fed areas. In a multi-sectoral collaboration a farmers’ collective-led approach has been implemented with smallholder farmers at the centre. A major tool has been on-farm adaptive research trials in which farmers’ collectives have developed and implemented on-farm trials in ten districts in Bangladesh, India and Nepal with the active involvement of civil society, researchers and government officials. Results are documentation and increased adoption of locally appropriate farming practises achieved through blending tradi- tional and modern practices with awareness on organic, sustainable production. Farmers’ collectives successfully built resilience to climate change, increased yields, improved nutritional security, reduced external dependency, and reduced input costs. SAF-BIN is evolving as a successful model for strengthening adaptive capacities of smallholders. Lessons on integration of a diverse set of stakeholders are transferable and applicable to similar initiatives

In India, Bangladesh and Nepal 70 percent of farms are less than 2 ha in size. These smallholders are the backbone of the local, national and regional food security. The work they do ensures that their families are fed and enables them to generate a small income through selling production surplus on local markets. Yet, these subsistence oriented, rain-fed farming systems are highly vulnerable. A number of challenges influence them. They include the scarcity of natural resources, like land and water, difficult access to inputs and markets, socio-demographic change through urban migration and the increasing climatic variability. Especially climate change challenges the complex local food production, distribution and consumption systems of smallholder farming communities. The main impacts of climate change in South Asia are increasing temperatures, decreasing precipitation leading to extended periods of drought and an increasing variability of the onset, and duration, of the monsoon – the main force dictating to the rain-fed farming systems in the region. Adaptation is the key to address the vulnerabilities small farmers face. But so far the centrally managed agricultural research and extension systems in the region ignore traditional food systems and culturally accepted food baskets. These leads to a decreasing drop diversity and increasing dependence of smallholder farmers on farm-external inputs threatening traditional, sustainable land management systems. The EU funded project “Strengthening Adaptive Farming in Bangladesh, India and Nepal (SAF-BIN)”, implemented by Caritas organisations, is building resilience to climate change through strengthening adaptive small scale farming systems in rain-fed areas. In a multi-sectoral collaboration a farmers’ collective-led approach has been implemented with smallholder farmers at the centre. This paper focuses on a major tool applied in this project: on-farm adaptive research trials. Facilitated by the project team farmers’ collectives have designed, implemented and analysed on-farm trials in 10 districts in Bangladesh, India and Nepal with the active involvement of civil society, researchers and government officials. Farmers were at the centre and given control in selecting the research topics and tested technologies according to their local demands and climate change challenges. This farmer collective led methodology has been a novel approach for the implementing organisations and participating farmers in the project areas. The collaboration of actors from multiple sectors allows a system perspective and mutual learning among all involved. Results are documentation and increased adoption of locally appropriate farming practises achieved through blending traditional and modern practices with awareness on organic, sustainable production. Farmers’ collectives successfully built resilience to climate change, increased yields, improved nutritional security, reduced external dependency, and reduced input costs. A focus has been laid on introducing sustainable, locally acceptable practices and varieties which ensures a sustainable development of local smallholder farming systems. SAF-BIN is evolving as a successful model for strengthening adaptive capacities of smallholders. Lessons on integration of a diverse set of stakeholders are transferable and applicable to similar initiatives.
Key words: climate change adaptation, farmers’ collective-led approach, food security on-farm adaptive research, smallholders, South Asia
COMMENT
This research paper has been submitted to, selected by and presented at the World Symposium on Climate Change Adaptation held in Manchester, England, 2-4 September 2015. It has been published as book chapter:
Roschinsky, R., Simon, S., Coudhury, P.R., Baroi, A., Malla, M., Costa, S.G., Pankaj, V.D., Manandhar, C., Aichinger, M. and Wurzinger, M. (2016): Facilitating climate change adaptation on smallholder farms through farmers’ collective led on-farm adaptive research – The SAF-BIN project. Book chapter in: Implementing Climate Change Adaptation in Cities and Communities. Integrating Strategies and Educational Approaches (Eds.: W. Leal Filho, K. Adamson, R. Dunk, U.M. Azeiteiro, S. Illingworth, F. Alves). Series: Climate Change Management. Springer. In press (http://www.springer.com/us/book/9783319285894)
It is an output of the EU-funded project: Strengthening Adaptive Farming in Bangladesh, India and Nepal. A multi-sectoral research and development programme coordinated by Caritas Austria, implemented by Caritas Bangladesh, Caritas India and Caritas Nepal. The Centre for Development Research at BOKU is engaged as research partner.
www.safbin.org
The project in BOKU FIS: https://forschung.boku.ac.at/fis/suchen.projekt_uebersicht?sprache_in=de&menue_id_in=300&id_in=8599