In Burkina Faso, the growing demand for milk prompts dairy farmers to pursue solutions that improve their production while maintaining profitability and sustainability. This study aimed to analyse the link between the level of agroecological transition achieved by dairy farms in the Bobo-Dioulasso milkshed area and their multidimensional performance. To address this issue, 204 dairy farms were assessed in the Bobo-Dioulasso milkshed area according to their level of progress in the agroecological (AE) transition, using the Holistic Localised Performance Assessment for Agroecology (HOLPA) tool. A typology of the dairy farms was produced according to their level of progress in the AE transition. Averaged scores for all questions in the HOLPA tool relating to the 13 principles of agroecology were used to rate each farm on a 5-point Likert scale, from 1 (Non-AE) to 5 (Very Strong AE). Performance was then compared according to these score levels. Results indicate that the dairy farms studied are mostly at the beginning (Non-AE: 7%, Weak AE: 54%, Moderate AE: 33%, and Strong AE: 6%) of their AE transition. Our findings suggest that dairy farms which have adopted more advanced AE practices demonstrate improved environmental, social and economic performance compared to conventional or less transitioned farms. The most AE dairy farms stand out on several key performance indicators. In terms of environmental performance, the most AE dairy farms achieve higher scores for crop diversity and natural resource and land management. In terms of social performance, the most AE dairy farmers share more knowledge about agroecology and natural resources, report higher levels of household satisfaction, and perceive trade associations as efficient. In terms of economic performance, the most AE dairy farms enjoy more stable and diversified income streams, which may reflect their greater resilience. With regard to agronomic performance, the most AE dairy farms perform better in terms of organic manure and fodder production. However, heavy reliance on labor and low crop productivity (e.g., for maize, sorghum, millet, rice, and cowpea) have been identified as key challenges to the AE transition and the sustainability of dairy farms. The findings of this study justify the implementation of several policy measures to support farmer training in AE on fodder and organic manure production, and natural resources management, to guaranty a better access to forages seeds and agricultural equipment to manage manure production, to increase the skills of farmers community in collective natural resources management in order to strengthen and accelerate the AE transition and enhance the resilience of the dairy sector in Burkina Faso. This study provides robust evidence to help improve public policy, guide dairy industry strategies, and support the agroecological transition in the Bobo-Dioulasso milkshed area.
Tag: dairy farms
Fodder for a better future: how agroforestry is helping to transform the lives of smallholder dairy farmers in East Africa
It is now almost 20 years since the World Agroforestry Centre and its partners began research on fodder trees in Kenya. The aim was to identify species that farmers could grow as a source of protein for their dairy animals. By 2006, over 205,000 smallholders in East Africa had planted fodder trees. By improving the diet of their cows and goats, they significantly increased milk yields and incomes. The demand for milk products in East Africa has risen rapidly, almost doubling over the past decade in Kenya. Around 80% of the milk is supplied by smallholder dairy farmers, with an average of less than two cows each. Dairy farming is a notable pathway toward poverty alleviation for over a million farmers in the region. However, until recently the rapid increase in demand was not matched by increases in productivity. This is beginning to change. The introduction of improved breeds – for example, Friesians and Ayrshires – has helped to increase yields. And so has the introduction of protein-rich fodder trees. This booklet describes one of the major agroforestry research and development success stories of recent years. Besides helping to improve livestock diets and milk yields, fodder trees provide a range of other benefits.
Availability and use of dry season feed resources on smallholder dairy farms in central Kenya
A cross-sectional survey on 41 farms followed by six weeks monitoring of dairy cattle feeding on ten smallholder dairy farms in central Kenya was conducted to investigate the use, availability and quality of dry season feed resources. Fodder production was largely from Napier grass (Pennisetum purpureum) grown on small plots and contour strips where it acts both as a fodder source as well as a biological barrier to soil erosion. There is a need to broaden the choice of fodder crops on such farms to provide a wide range of harvesting management options and to avoid total loss in case of pest or disease outbreaks. Intercropping of Napier grass with leguminous fodder trees could boost the quantity and quality of herbage production especially during the dry season. Roughage from a variety of sources was utilised during the dry season in addition to Napier grass. Among the herbages, leguminous feeds had the lowest potential dry matter degradability while weeds harvested from cropland and roadsides had the highest. Energy and protein intake from the roughage fed to grade dairy cattle during the dry season may be insufficient to meet the requirements of these animals due to the high levels of fibre concentration (acid detergent fibre and neutral detergent fibre (ADF and NDF)) in them. It is recommended that the scope for alternative sources of improved roughage such as Napier/calliandra mixtures, to boost the energy, protein and overall dry matter provision on the farms should be investigated further.
Calliandra calothyrsus: assessing the early stages of adoption of a fodder tree in the highlands of central Kenya
The paper examines the early stages of adoption of Calliandra calothyrsus, a leguminous fodder tree, among smallholder dairy producers in the highlands of central Kenya. The main objectives of the study were: to examine the expansion of calliandra planting by farmers; to document farmers’ experiences and assessments in testing, managing and using the tree; to determine the economic impact of calliandra from farmers’ perspective and to provide feedback to research, extension and policy makers on issues which need to be examined for the improvement and promotion of calliandra as a fodder crop It starts by describing the study area, then summarises the research on the management of calliandra as a fodder tree and as a feed for dairy cows. Next the survey methods are described and the results and conclusions are presented.
Price or relational behaviors? Supplier relationship management in the German dairy industry
Purpose – The aim of this paper is to determine the relative importance of actual price and behavioural factors for the quality of the business relationship between German dairies and their milk suppliers. Design/methodology/approach – The paper reports the results of field study involving 209 farmers in Lower Saxony and the northern section of North Rhine-Westphalia regions in northwest Germany. These regions are the most important milk production centres in Germany. Findings – The results indicate that, whereas behavioural factors, specifically relationship management practices and price satisfaction, have a positive influence on the quality of the business relationship between the farmers and the dairies, the actual price levels have no influence. Practical implications – Actual prices paid to the farmers is not the most important factor which influences the quality of their relationship with the dairies but rather behavioural norms such as milk price satisfaction and relational norms. Dairies are advised to enhance price perception through price negotiations and transparency in order to facilitate quality relationship instead of through higher price payment alone. Originality/value – This study is the first to integrate and compare the actual prices and behavioural variables to determine their relative importance and influence on relationship quality