LEISA Magazine | 21.3 | September 2005
For most small scale farmers, for whom it is important to make optimal use of available resources, livestock still has an essential role to play. In this issue of the LEISA Magazine, we take a closer look at how livestock can be integrated into diverse farming systems and in particular at the importance of smaller livestock for poorer households.
Factors that smaller livestock such as sheep, goats, rabbits, ducks, chickens and many others have in common, are that they are relatively undemanding in their feeding requirements and easy to house and manage. They provide the same products and services as larger livestock, such as cattle, but are less risky, are easier to replace as they are not so costly and reproduce faster.
By optimising the management of the animals as well as the integration of the animals into the farming system, the total production of the farm can increase considerably. The raising of small animals also offers opportunities for a regular cash income throughout the year.
Small animals are often cared for by women and children, and the introduction of milk goats to HIV/AIDS affected families in Tanzania has proved to be a viable strategy in improving the nutritional status of these families.