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Reproductive and economic performance of local livestock in southwestern Madagascar: Potentials and constraints of a highly extensive system

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  • Feldt, Tobias
  • Neudert, Regina
  • Fust, Pascal
  • Schlecht, Eva

Abstract

In the dry Mahafaly region of southwestern Madagascar, livestock keeping plays a key role in people's livelihoods. Especially zebu cattle and goats are socially important and contribute considerably to regular income of local households. We therefore analyzed the reproductive performance of local breeds along with livestock owners' culling strategies to determine herd dynamics, opportunities for economic development, as well as potential improvements, by using a combined methodical, both production-oriented and economic approach. Data was collected through interviews on the progeny history of breeding females (506 cows and 593 does) and their offspring (721 calves and 1073 kids). Based on the results, reproduction parameters were calculated and entered into the PRY Herd Life model to simulate herd development for present management (status quo) and two alternate scenarios assuming either (i) improved feeding and resulting higher productivity of breeding females or (ii) improved culling. Based on prices collected at local markets, a Monte Carlo simulation was used to estimate annual costs and revenues from livestock keeping.

Suggested Citation

  • Feldt, Tobias & Neudert, Regina & Fust, Pascal & Schlecht, Eva, 2016. "Reproductive and economic performance of local livestock in southwestern Madagascar: Potentials and constraints of a highly extensive system," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 54-64.
    • Handle: RePEc:eee:agisys:v:149:y:2016:i:c:p:54-64
    DOI: 10.1016/j.agsy.2016.08.007
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    1. Noromiarilanto, Fanambinantsoa & Brinkmann, Katja & Faramalala, Miadana H. & Buerkert, Andreas, 2016. "Assessment of food self-sufficiency in smallholder farming systems of south-western Madagascar using survey and remote sensing data," Agricultural Systems, Elsevier, vol. 149(C), pages 139-149.
    2. Falk, Thomas & Spangenberg, Joachim H. & Siegmund-Schultze, Marianna & Kobbe, Susanne & Feike, Til & Kuebler, Daniel & Settele, Josef & Vorlaufer, Tobias, 2018. "Identifying governance challenges in ecosystem services management – Conceptual considerations and comparison of global forest cases," Ecosystem Services, Elsevier, vol. 32(PB), pages 193-203.
    3. Josoa R. Randriamalala & Dominique Hervé, 2022. "Goat Breeding: A Possible Sustainable Way to Manage Xerophytic Thickets in Southwestern Madagascar," Land, MDPI, vol. 11(3), pages 1-14, March.

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