ILRI's new priorities and direction of research and Development for livestock production in South-East Asia

The economic importance and the role of livestock in sustainable agricultural systems in Southeast (SE) Asia is highlighted. The role of ILRI in international livestock research and relevance of ILRI's research priorities to future Development of livestock production in SE Asia are presented. In order to utilize available research resources most effectively and efficiently, ILRI has carried out very careful steps in the assessment of new priorities and direction of research and Development for livestock production in SE Asia. Process and approach used by ILRI to define such priorities and direction in Asia is briefly explained. It is very important for ILRi to build partnerships and to strengthen collaboration with Nars in SE Asia in order to achieve its ultimate goals in livestock research and Development in the region. ILRI research approach is based on multidisciplinary team with farming systems perspectives. For SE Asia such farming systems as crop-livestock systems in rainfed lowlands and tree crop-livestock systems in uplands have been identified since these farming systems are common to many countries in Asia. It has been clearly recognized by Asian Nars that international investment in livestock research in this region has been very limited. Increased investment from donor countries and organizations, especially those in Asia and Pacific region, will benefit not only the developing countries in SE Asia but also developed countries like Japan and others in an overall economic term

Model-based control of plate vibrations using active contrained layer damping

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Animals, poor people and food insecurity: Opportunities for improved livelihoods through efficient natural resource management

Poverty is a rural dilemma and continues to be a persistent multidimensional problem. It is associated with poor farmers, small farm systems, the landless, resource endowments, the socioeconomic environment and externalities. Over 75% of the poor live and work in rural areas, trapped in a poverty-adaptation-fragile lives-little hope-low life expectancy complex, with an enduring hope for self-reliance and a more comfortable life tomorrow. Since agricultural growth is central to improved livelihoods, strategies that focus on promoting such growth are critical: improved efficiency in natural resource management (NRM), of which animals are a part, can directly contribute to productivity enhancement and reduced poverty. It is estimated that approximately 678 million of the rural poor keep animals, within which the largest ownership of animals is seen in mixed crop-animal systems. The role and contribution of animals is discussed with reference to household benefits - current, medium-term and long-term savings, increased productivity of mixed farm systems, sustainability of agricultural systems and the environment, and enhancement of social stability. While large ruminants (buffalo and cattle) are very valuable for agriculture and farm security, milk and beef, ploughing and dung production, small animals (goats, sheep, chickens, pigs and ducks) are particularly important for nutritional and household security. The link between gender and animals is emphasized, especially the implications of the very strong relationship between women and children and small animals. This paper describes in detail characteristics of poor farmers and small farm systems. It discusses opportunities for NRM, and presents examples of data from different categories of animals and the extent of their contribution to total farm income, which in Asia ranges from 7-69%. It is concluded that improved animal production systems can increasingly make a significant contribution to improved human welfare, rural growth and reduced poverty. To achieve this, however, much more investment in agricultural research and development is necessary that can target less-favoured rainfed areas, coupled with participatory and interdisciplinary approaches, effective public private sector partnerships, and commitment to purpose