Theoretical and practical considerations in the development of a methodological framework for evaluating sustainability of low-input ruminant farming systems in developing countries

The sustainability of low-input ruminant farming systems remains poorly understood and evaluation frameworks that adequately capture their complexity are lacking. The multiple goals of producers, multipurpose roles of ruminants, credence goods and services of the system are omitted in existing frameworks. In that context, development of a novel comprehensive framework for evaluating the sustainability of the low-put ruminant farming system is important. The current manuscript, therefore, provides an overview of a systemic process for developing a participatory and interdisciplinary methodological framework to measure sustainability of the low-input ruminant farming system. The proposed framework provides guidance on potentially relevant variables and their subcomponents, and for designing appropriate data collection tools, conducting field measurements and analysing results. The suggested framework captures the complex interrelationships within and between dimensions and indicators of sustainability and apply a system dynamics approach to integrate the indicators into an overall measure of the sustainability of a system.The Department of Science and Technology-National Research Foundation (DST-NRF) Centre of Excellence (CoE) in Food Security and NRF – Research and Technology Fund.http://www.journals.elsevier.com/environmental-and-sustainability-indicatorshj2020Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS

Emerging from Below? Understanding the Livelihood Trajectories of Smallholder Livestock Farmers in Eastern Cape Province, South Africa

In the context of current agrarian reform efforts in South Africa, this paper analyses the livelihood trajectories of ‘emergent’ farmers in Eastern Cape Province. We apply a rural livelihoods framework to 60 emergent cattle farmers to understand the different capitals they have drawn upon in transitioning to their current class positions and associated vulnerability. The analysis shows that, for the majority of farmers, no real ‘transition’ from subsistence farming has occurred. However, they draw limited resilience from increased livestock holdings, continued reliance on social grants and connections with communal villages. A transition into small‐scale commercial farming is apparent for a small number of farmers through the deployment of financial, human and social capitals. However, in following these trajectories, most of these farmers have been made more vulnerable to shocks and stresses than previously. We suggest that key to mitigating this vulnerability will be access to low‐risk financial capital, more targeted support, and strategies to support farmers that might not transition from subsistence production

Information and communication technologies (ICTs) : the potential for enhancing the dissemination of agricultural information and services to smallholder farmers in sub-Saharan Africa

The transformation of smallholder farming is poised to be one of the key drivers of achieving the dual objectives of food security and poverty reduction in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA). Smallholder farmers account for between 60–80% of the food produced in the region but face many challenges that impede their productivity. Such challenges include a lack of timely access to appropriate agricultural information and services, which results in poor decision-making, particularly in addressing challenges and responding effectively to opportunities. In that context, the effective use of Information and Communication Technologies (ICTs) in improving accessibility to appropriate agricultural information and services presents substantial prospects for transforming the productivity and livelihoods of the farmers. Currently, the region experiences massive penetration and propagation of mobile and web-based applications. However, there is a dearth of compelling, comprehensive reviews evaluating their importance in enhancing agricultural information and services dissemination to smallholder farmers. Therefore, the current review explores the potential of enhancing agricultural information and services dissemination to smallholder farmers through ICTs and highlights gaps in their development and deployment in SSA. Five existing mobile applications used to disseminate agricultural information and services to smallholder farmers were identified, and their advantages, limitations, and opportunities were discussed. These were Esoko, iCow, Community Knowledge Workers, WeFarm and DigiFarm. The development and deployment of user-driven mobile applications that provide curated skill-sharing platforms, encourage farmers to give feedback to extension systems in real-time and promote the participation of women and youth in agriculture are recommended.The Ph.D. study funding financed through the "Seed initiatives fund from the Division of Social Impact at Stellenbosch University and the National Research Fund-Thuthuka of South Africa.http://idv.sagepub.comhj2023Gordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS

Towards a revolutionized agricultural extension system for the sustainability of smallholder livestock production in developing countries : the potential role of ICTs

The creation of commercialization opportunities for smallholder farmers has taken primacy on the development agenda of many developing countries. Invariably, most of the smallholders are less productive than commercial farmers and continue to lag in commercialization. Apart from the various multifaceted challenges which smallholder farmers face, limited access to extension services stands as the underlying constraint to their sustainability. Across Africa and Asia, public extension is envisioned as a fundamental part of the process of transforming smallholder farmers because it is their major source of agricultural information. Extension continues to be deployed using different approaches which are evolving. For many decades, various authors have reported the importance of the approaches that effectively revitalize extension systems and have attempted to fit them into various typologies. However, there is a widespread concern over the inefficiency of these extension approaches in driving the sustainability of smallholder farming agenda. Further, most of the approaches that attempted to revolutionize extension have been developed and brought into the field in rapid succession, but with little or no impact at the farmer level. This paper explores the theory and application of agricultural extension approaches and argues the potential of transforming them using digital technologies. The adoption of information and communication technologies (ICTs) such as mobile phones and the internet which are envisaged to revolutionize existing extension systems and contribute towards the sustainability of smallholder farming systems is recommended.Data Availability Statement: The data used to develop Figure 2 in this article are openly available in [World Bank Open Data] at [https//data.worldbank.org], reference number [API_IT.CEL.SETS_DS2_en_excel_v2_2256600].The Seed Initiatives Funding from the Division of Social Impact and the Animal Sciences Departmental Bursary both from Stellenbosch University.http://www.mdpi.com/journal/sustainabilityGordon Institute of Business Science (GIBS

Strategies for sustainable use of indigenous cattle genetic resources in southern Africa

CITATION: Mapiye, C., et al., 2019. Strategies for Sustainable Use of Indigenous Cattle Genetic Resources in Southern Africa. Diversity, 11(11). doi:10.3390/d11110214.The original publication is available at https://www.mdpi.com/journal/diversityIndigenous cattle breeds are the most important livestock species in the Southern African Development Community (SADC) region owing to their role in human food, nutrition, income, and social security. Despite the role of these breeds in the household and national economies, they are currently underutilised, their productivity remains low, and populations are faced with extinction. In addition, there are insufficient measures taken to secure their present and future value. The current review highlights strategies for sustainable use of indigenous cattle genetic resources in the region, including the use of novel production and marketing practices, women and youth empowerment, and development of the appropriate capacity building, legislative, and policy structures. At present, the lack of coordination among the different stakeholders still poses a challenge to the implementation of these strategies. To this end, partnerships, collaboration, and stakeholders’ participation are recommended to effectively implement strategies for sustainable use of indigenous cattle breeds.South African Research Chairs Initiative (SARChI)https://www.mdpi.com/1424-2818/11/11/214Publishers versio

Health effects of ruminant trans fatty acids with emphasis on type 2 diabetes

Recent government bans on industrial trans fatty acids (TFA) in developed countries has left naturally occurring TFA from ruminant products (e.g., dairy, beef, and lamb) as the sole source of TFA in the food supply. In contrast to industrial TFA, which have undisputed adverse health effects, ruminant TFA such as trans vaccenic acid (TVA; trans11-18:1), rumenic acid (RA; cis9, trans11-18:2) and trans palmitoleic acid (TPA; trans9-16:1) have been associated with reduced risk for some diseases such as type 2 diabetes. The present review summarizes the findings from observational, animal and human studies investigating the effects of ruminant TFA on metabolic parameters related to type 2 diabetes, and provides an update on the current knowledge of their biosynthesis, intake and factors affecting their concentrations in ruminant derived foods. Overall, observational studies and a small number of animal studies suggest that ruminant TFA may be protective against type 2 diabetes, whereas the same benefits have not been observed in other animal studies or in human clinical trials. Additional clinical and mechanistic studies are needed to better understand the isomer-specific effects of ruminant TFA. Until then, production practices resulting in increased levels of this group of fatty acids in ruminant milk and meat should be carefully reconsidered